Bring In The New Year With Some Tasty Appetizers

Party Slush
4 tea bags
2 cups boiling water
7 cups cold water
2 cups sugar
12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
12 ounce frozen limeade concentrate
(1 pint whiskey, optional)
2, 2 liter bottles chilled lemon lime soda

Place 4 tea bags in 2 cups boiling water; allow to steep 10-15 minutes. Mix together 7 cups water and 2 cups sugar, bring to boil. until sugar is dissolved. Add one 12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate and one 12 ounce frozen limeade. Add steeped tea. Cool. At this point the original recipe invites you to add a little less than 1 pint of whiskey if desired; Freeze the entire mixture - washed plastic milk gallons work well. When serving, allow punch to partially thaw at room temperature for 25 or 30 minutes, then spoon into glasses or punch bowl. Pour equal amounts of 7 Up over frozen mixture.

(I'm not a drinker so my personal favorite is without the whiskey and I think you'll like this unique punch without!) 

Mini Party Quiches

Crust:
1 stick butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup flour

Mix all together well and press into bottom and sides of mini muffin tins.

Custard Filling:
4 eggs
1 tablespoon flour
1 ½ cup cups half & half
¼ teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons melted butter
2 tablespoons diced onions
½ pound bacon, fried crisp & broken (if desired)
1-2 cups Swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Break eggs in bowl with wire whisk. Stir in next 6 ingredients. Layer each prepared, unbaked, pastry shell with bacon first, then cheese, then onion. Spoon custard filling over these ingredients in each shell until 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degree oven until slightly puffed and custard is set, about 35 minutes.


Warm Artichoke Dip

1 can Progresso Artichokes, drained and chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients well with fork in small baking dish. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with thin, toasted French or Italian bread slices or crackers.
 
 
Party Meatballs

3 pounds lean ground sirloin
¼ cup chopped, cooked onions
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup uncooked, quick oats
3 eggs
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or oregano
1 tablespoon chopped dry parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh
1 teaspoon pepper
16 ounce jar grape jelly
12 ounce bottle Heinz Chili Sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix everything but the jelly and chili sauce together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or with your hands. Cook the meatballs in a very small amount of oil in a skillet on top of the stove, then put them in a large roaster to bake at 400 degrees until the meat is cooked throughout and the meatballs hold their shape, about 30-45 minutes. Stir the jelly and chili sauce together and heat in the microwave for several minutes. Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Continue baking the meatballs until the sauce looks thickened and coats the meatballs, about another thirty minutes. Gently stir the meatballs occasionally during cooking time to coat them evenly with sauce.

Happy New Year!

May 2010 be a year filled with blessings and joy for you and yours.