Recipes :: baked cheese balls

Ingredients

String cheese

Bowl of milk

Bowl of italian bread crumbs

Directions

1. Cut up string cheese into 4 pieces.

2. Dip in milk.

3. Dip in bread crumbs.

4. Bake at 425 degrees for 7-10 minutes.

Fast, flavorful, and a great snack!

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Recipe :: Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

Ingredients

4 tomatoes, halved horizontally

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I used shredded)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.

2. Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top with Parmesan, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

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Recipes :: Taco Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package of Old El Paso taco seasoning mix
36 wonton wrappers
1 (16 ounce) can Old El Paso refried beans
36 tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, cilantro, onion

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray 18 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Brown beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Add the taco seasoning mix and water called for on the package and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Place one wonton wrapper in the bottom of each muffin cup. Layer about 1 Tbsp of refried beans on top of each wonton. Crush one tortilla chip on top of the beans. Top with 1 Tbsp of taco meat and 1 Tbsp of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers again with a wonton wrapper, refried beans, tortilla chips, taco meat, and cheese.
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Remove cupcakes from tin and top with your favorite taco toppings (i.e. sour cream, diced tomatoes, onion, or cilantro)

Notes
I used ground turkey, and was only able to make 1 layer. Tastes great! These would be great for a party.

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Recipe :: cheese dip

A lot like the mexican restaurant kind!

Ingredients

1 lb. white american cheese (monterey jack, since I couldn't find the other) 

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp. jalapeno juice

Directions

1. Mix all together and melt; either on stove or leave to set in crock pot (might take longer in crock pot).

2. Stir now and then, until completely melted.

3. Enjoy!

Recipe :: cheese ball

Ingredients

1 can of chicken breast (around the canned tuna)

Chopped onion

1 package of cream cheese

Sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Mix together chicken, onion and cream cheese.

2. Roll into a boll, then roll in almonds.

3. Enjoy!

My Thoughts

My mom has been making this for a long time, especially as a party dish. It's one of my favorites and easy to make!

Recipe :: chicken empanadas

Ingredients

3 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1 (8-ounce) package shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese blend
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
Water 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine the chicken and next 7 ingredients. Unroll 1 piecrust onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 15-inch circle. Cut out rounds, using a 3-inch cookie cutter. Re-roll dough as needed. Repeat procedure with remaining piecrusts, making 12 to 15 circles total. Arrange 1 round on a clean, flat surface. Lightly brush the edges of crust with water. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken mixture in the center of the round. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining rounds and chicken mixture. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month). Arrange empanadas on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.



My Thoughts

I didn't care much for these, but my husband - being the Peruvian that he is - loved them! There's a bit more work put into them than I liked, especially since I didn't like them... but he ate them up and they'd make a good finger food for when the in-laws are over.