Spaghetti Squash Dip

I found this recipe here. I was intrigued and tried it and I loved it! It is a little like Spinach Artichoke Dip. I used Pepper Jack for some of the cheese and I liked the flavor it added.

Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash, halved and seeded
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Place in preheated oven, and bake until soft when a fork is inserted., 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Scoop out the cooked squash, and place in a mixing bowl. Add butter to the squash and stir until butter melts. Stir the mayonnaise, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese into the squash mixture until well blended. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven until cheese melts, about 20 minutes.

Toffee Apple Dip

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/2 (11 oz.) package Skor or Heath toffee chips

Beat softened cream cheese, sugars and vanilla together until fluffy. Stir in toffee chips by hand. Serve with sliced apples.

Hummus

This is adapted from my mom's recipe. The tahini is a little hard to find; you can find it in health or ethnic food stores. You can still make this without it, or even throw in some sesame seeds in the food processor instead.

2 cans garbanzo beans, drained
1/4 cup tahini (sesame butter)
3 T chopped cilantro (a handful of leaves)
2 -- 4 cloves garlic
juice of one large lemon
2 T water
1 T olive oil
a pinch cumin
Process in food processor until fairly smooth.Makes about 3 cups.Serve with warm pita and raw vegetables such as lettuce, chopped cucumber, diced tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, olives, or sprouts. Or use as a dip with chips or crackers.
Or make pinwheel sandwiches by spreading 3/4 - 1 cup hummus on a piece of lavash bread (or torilla), add lettuce (with the crunchy part torn out) or baby spinach and any of the other vegetables mentioned above. Roll it up and slice.

Creamy Tomatoe Fondue Sauce

This is a recipe I got from my good friend, Jessica. She made it for a baby shower and it was so amazing, I had to get the recipe. This recipe is actually for fondue, but I have made a meal of it. I don't have a fondue pot- I just used a small crock pot. Also, I bought my tortellini noodles in the bulk section at Winco. I just boiled them up with a bit of salt and olive oil and they tasted great! (You could probably use any kind of noodle though if you are going to make it a meal.) If I were going to serve it again as a meal over noodles, I think I would add a little bit more liquid to the sauce- maybe apple juice or a bit of cream or milk. It is very rich and this makes a big batch, but it is SO delicous! Hope you try this one out!

Creamy Tomato Sauce (Originally for Fondue)
1 T Olive Oil
1 med Onion, chopped
2 tsp Garlic, minced
1 28oz can Diced Italian Tomatoes with Oregano, Basil and Garlic
1 c. Apple Juice
2 8oz Cream Cheese, cut in 1” cubes
1 c. Monterrey Jack Cheese – shredded (I used mozzarella)

Dip ideas:
French Bread, Cubed Mozzarella, Pepperoni, Tortellini, Green Peppers, Bagel Chips

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until onion is very soft. Add the tomatoes, and apple juice. Simmer 10 min, until liquid is almost completely reduced. Add the cheese and heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Pour into a fondue pot, over medium heat.

Two Easy Appetizers

Sorry I didn't have this one for you at the get-together. I had them all printed and cut, but I forgot to bring them. You might have noticed that some of the bread was burnt on the edges; remember to keep an eye on them under the broiler!

Easy Cream Cheese Dip
Place an unwrapped brick of cream cheese on a plate and cover it with about ½ cup salsa; microwave for about 30 seconds until soft. Serve with crackers or chips for dipping.


Spicy Cheesy Bread
½ lb. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 4 oz. can of diced green chilies, drained
4 to 5 Tbl. Mayo
1 loaf french bread, sliced
Mix cheese, chilies, and mayo. Spread thinly on bread slices and place on a baking sheet. Broil in the oven about 2 minutes, or until bubbly.