By Request...

Chili Cheese Dip

1 package cream cheese, softened
1 can chili (I prefer the type without beans for this recipe)
1 bag mexican blend cheese

In a casserole dish, spread the cream cheese into an even layer. Pour the chili over the cream cheese. Top with mexican cheese. Bake in 350 oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips.


Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed out
1 14.5 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered (or 10 oz frozen/thawed & drained)
1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
1 Cup Mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 scallions, sliced thin
1/2 Cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 Cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded


Mix spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, may, garlic, scallions, and 1/2 of the cheeses in a large mixing bowl.

Pour mixture into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips or vegetables.

Empanadas

Okay, so they weren't really empanadas, but I thought that title sounded better than empanada-ish things.

First, I browned one pound ground turkey in a skillet with one chopped onion. Then I added a small can of tomato paste, 4 t. chili powder, and 1 t. salt. I continued to cook it for another couple of minutes. Then I covered the meat mixture and put it in the fridge to cool.

Once it was cool, I laid out several won ton wrappers and brushed the edges with egg white. I put one tablespoon of the meat mixture in the middle of each wrapper, then folded them in half. I baked them in a 400 degree oven for 8 minutes. The recipe would have made 60 empanadas, but I got tired of the wrapping way before I made that many.

I also made dessert empanadas. I filled some with nutella, some with peanut butter and jelly, and some with mini peanut butter cups. The nutella ones were amazing! The chocolate-peanut butter ones were okay, although my lip got hit with some lava (aka molten hot peanut butter). The peanut butter and jelly ones were a wash, the jelly became a liquid and just leaked out all over the place.