Monday, December 8, 2014

Oh Christmas Tree....



One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Creator Charles M. Schultz did a beautiful job in this television special reminding viewers the true meaning of Christmas.  My favorite part is when a discouraged Charlie Brown runs off after unsuccessfully decorating his tree and his friends step in and make it beautiful.   When Charlie returns to his tree, he is overwhelmed by what his friends have done and they start singing Christmas carols.  I love it! 
That scene gave me a great idea.  Every year our family decorates our tree as well as décor around the house and I have to admit, it is a gruesome chore.  This year, to maintain the Christmas spirit and peace and joy, I’ve decided to have a tree trimming party.  Family and close friends are on my guest list to help me decorate the tree while enjoying appetizers, eggnog and holiday tunes.    I’m excited!  I have never had a tree trimming party let alone a Christmas party.  So, for this month’s food blog post, I want to share a couple of appetizers I plan to serve at the gathering, one sweet and the other savory:  Key Lime Pie dip and Hot Crab Dip.  They are tasty, filling and festive!

Key Lime Pie Dip
Ingredients:
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ fresh lime juice
½ cup heavy cream
3tbsp confectioner’s sugar

   1.   In a small bowl, beat together milk and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth.  Add juice and combine.
   2.   In another bowl. Beat together cream and sugar on medium speed to firm peaks.  Fold in to cream cheese mixture.  Serve immediately or chill and serve cold.



Hot Crab Dip (Paula Dean’s recipe)
Ingredients:
1 lbs jumbo lump crabmeat (no shells)
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
¼ cup green onions minced (optional)
5-6 roasted garlic cloves or 2 cloves minced
3tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
½ tsp dry mustard
Salt and pepper

   1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
   2.   Combine all of the ingredients in a casserole and gently stir until thoroughly mixed. 
   3.   Bake for 40 minutes.  Serve hot with crackers or toast points.

Do you have any plans to host a Christmas party?  Share your ideas with me!  info@mendingmaria.com


Mending Maria  

No comments:

Post a Comment