Party Snacks

Bruschetta with Garlic Toast 

• what you need -
  1 loaf of fresh italian bread (not pre-sliced)
  1 pint cherry tomatoes
  1 small sweet onion
  1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
  2 tsp chopped fresh basil
  2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
  1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
  1 tsp crushed or finley chopped garlic
  1/2 stick (1/4 cup) of softened butter or margerine
  2 Tbs fresh shredded parmasean
• cut tomatoes into eighths
  dice onion finely
  slice bread into 3/4 inch thick slices
• in meduim sized bowl mix tomatoe, onion, olive oil, basil, oregano & paresley
• in seperate small bowl mix butter & garlic
  spread the garlic butter on one side of each slice of bread then place bread garlic side up on cookie sheet
  Place under broiler for 2 minutes until edges begin to brown
  flip bread over and place back under broiler for 3-4 minutes until non-garlic side is toasted golden
• on serving dish place bread garlic side up
  top each slice with bruschetta mix
  garnish tops with parmasean cheese

Colorful Cheesy Popcorn 

• You Need
  1 package (about 6 cups popped) - fresh popped butter popcorn (use lightly buttered for healthier snacks)
  
  1/4 cup Grated Parmasean Cheese (the kind in a jar works good)
  
  food coloring
  
  1 big zipper baggie
• pour parm cheese into baggie
• add 2-4 drops of food coloring to baggie and mix until fully coats the cheese - this may take more or less then 2-4 drops depending on what color youa re trying to achieve
• add popcorn to baggie - seal baggie and shake under cheese covers popcorn giving it color
• ** for added zest to the cheese (before you add the popcorn) you can add garlic powder, chili powder or your favorite seasoning mix!!

Pigs in a Blanket 

• 1 package oscar meyer weiners (or beef franks) cut in 1/2 or in 1/3s (to make finger food)*
  or
  vienne sausage/coctail franks
  
  oscar meyer brand does not plump when you cook it like other brands which is important for this recipe
• 1 can/tube pillsbury (or generic) crescent rolls
• roll our crescent roll dough, ignoring the cuts it already has in it cut into strip about 1/2 inch wide, or almost as wide as the franks ar long
• roll the dought around the dogs and place on cookie sheet with 1/2 inch between each one on all sides
  
  *for faster clean up you can place them on foil directly onto the over rack
• bake according to the directions on the dough

Simple 7 Layer Dip 

Meatless Dip

1. 1 can of fat free refried bean, spread to cover entire bottom of pan
2. 1/2 cup guacamole, spread to cover beans completely
3. 1/2 cup chunky salsa (i use medium, or i will make 2 dips one hot, one mild)
4. Mix 1 packet taco seasoning with 1 container sour creme, spread over salsa
   
   * this counts as 2 layers since i mix the 2 ingredients together
5. layer with shredded cheddar, cobly, colby/jack or taco mix cheese
6. sprinkle top with 1 small can of diced or sliced black olives, drained
   
   *i usually put these only around the edges of the dish so people who do not like olives can scoop fromt he center