I haven’t been able to access my blog all day long because of some server-type issues, and I probably would have been more eager to troubleshoot the whys and wherefores of that particular situation if I hadn’t been so busy playing Cruise Director for a couple of high-energy five year-olds.
Because as you probably know, five year-olds aren’t really content to watch some shuffleboard matches over on the Lido Deck and then call it a day.
So we spent most of this fine Friday having a big, fun time with Alex’s buddy C., and then our little family-o-three went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for supper, and then we went to Blockbuster to pick out a movie.
You can’t even imagine how pumped I am to tell you that we rented the new Backyardigans DVD. It’s gonna be SO STINKIN’ AWESOME, Y’ALL.
That Pablo. I’ll tell you what. He is a STITCH.
But before I move into the next phase of my Friday night plans (do I join Alex in the playroom for the Backyardigans feature presentation? do I sit here and watch David play a Top Spin 2 Wimbledon match against Lleyton Hewitt on the Xbox? do I sneak into the guest room and turn on HGTV and cross my fingers that there’s a House Hunters Memorial Day weekend marathon? do you wonder how I can even stand all the non-stop excitement around here?), I do have a question for you, internets.
Well, really I have a scenario. And I’m hoping you can offer some suggestions.
Next Wednesday night D’s men’s group buddies are coming over for the last session of the Bible study they’ve been doing this spring, and I have offered to provide all manner of hearty foodstuffs for the evening.
The catch, however, is that I won’t actually be here because my little man and I are leaving Wednesday morning to go see the grandparents in Mississippi.
So do any of you have any good, make-ahead appetizer recipes that would be pleasing to a bunch of menfolk? Something that I could leave in the refrigerator and that wouldn’t require that David to do much more than 1) remove some aluminum foil or 2) heat the appetizer in the oven for a short amount of time?
I’m at a loss – especially because it’s getting hot and everything I think of just sounds too heavy or too Superbowl-ish for this time of year.
Can’t wait to read your suggestions – y’all are always so kind to come to the rescue during my culinary times of need.
And just FYI? I’m in the guest room now. About to turn on the television. And hoping against all hope that Suzanne Whang will be there to greet me.
My life. It is very fancy indeed.
Hope y’all have a great weekend.
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Hmmm. How about a nice freshly made salsa?? I wish I could be sitting down to HH!! And I finished the book I’ve been reading this week….. ho hum here in NC
The crockpot will be your friend. What do you need to feed guys? Can’t you make some cornbread and have some lovely beans and little sausages or meatballs (there are little crockpot meatballs with grape jelly that are wonderful!) How about spaghetti sauce and meatballs in the crockpot with some noodles precooked that just need a quick dip in hot water? Taco meat made ahead, heated in the CROCKPOT! with some of that cheesy stuff (queso?!) in a mini pot with the fixin’s to make it all pretty. You can do it! Yes you can!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this food talk has made me hungry. A Klondike is calling my name . . .
What crosses my mind … chips and dip, cocktail sausages or meatballs in your crockpot, pigs in blankets, a tray of cheese cut up with little meat “sticks” (not sure what to call them!) Ham rolls with spicy mustard and swiss cheese (I would think you could make something like that ahead and they would be fine cold – although I have had them hot, too, and they would be easy to heat up in the microwave.)
Good luck!
Chili and fritos and grated cheese and French’s Onions (the things in a can you normally use for green bean casserole) – ain’t a man alive can turn down a make it yoself frito pie. To be truly fancy – buy the little individual frito bags – have your DH slit them on the side and the “guys” can load up the chili, cheese and whatever then eat out of the package! How fun is that? BTW – hot weather never deters a man from a good frito pie. – if you need to cater to their feminine side – have some sour cream available to ruin – Oh I mean accent the frito pie. Amen and end of my useless suggestion
I love Suzanne Whang. She seems so interested in which crappy house each couple will choose (House Hunters). “Will they pick the garbage dump with lots of potential? Or will they opt for the home slightly outside of their budget for move-in ready comfort?”
I don’t know what these are called, but men LOVE them! You can do them ahead and just broil them for about 3 minutes when your ready for them.
Ingredients:
1 lb of hamburger
1 lb of pork sausage
1 lb of velveeta
1-2 packages of cocktail rye bread
Brown your meat and sausage together, drain off the fat, cube the velveeta and mix in the meat, stir till melted and combined. Spoon a mound of the meat/cheese mixture on each slice of bread. You can refrigerate them at this point and then when your ready for them, place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and broil them for about 3 minutes, till hot and bubbly.
Delicious! And so very easy!
Enjoy.
This is one that I always make for the mens group. My hubby loves it. It is an easy version of chicken salad (sort of).
1 can of chicken breast drained
1 block of cream cheese, softened
1 envelope of ranch dressing mix
1 cup of mayo (optional- makes it creamier
mix all in bowl and form into a ball, stick it in fridge and let it chill. Kind of comes out looking like a cheese ball. Serve it with ritz. (mine never makes it to the ball, around here they eat it up before it can chill.
Hope it helps.
Chris’ Crack Dip. (Called Crack for a reason!) Taco-ey yummyness that you can make the day before, he can bake until bubbly. The recipe is over at Work it Mom, under Organizing Disorder. It’s all that, just don’t forget the bag of (tortilla) chips!
You can’t go wrong with Caramel Puffcorn. The recipe is at this link
http://walnutgrove1.blogspot.com/2008/01/step-away-from-puffcorn.html
Stephanie is right. I think it’s gonna have to involve meat sticks. Men love that crap! Give ‘em some rounds of meat stick, some cheese, some crackers. They’ll think they cooked!
Oooo, is there a marathon? I’ve just recently rekindled my love affair with HGTV and could use a good time-suck tomorrow…
Chris said ribs, buffalo wings, chocolate covered pretzels, individual cans of bacon-flavored easy cheese, no crackers necessary, anything with lard in it, honeybuns and queso (queso’s always good–a quote!)…and little cucumber finger sandwiches–just joking, he said.
Also, margaritas (from Chris)? Is that an option? I am SO kidding…but I do have a recipe on my Martha blog that is margarita pie. Good stuff!
PS, if you haven’t tried them, the sweet and salty caramel bugels are to die for–also a quote from my Chris.
My friend Caroline taught me last year to get cocktail weinies, wrap them in 1/3 slice of bacon, and then slather them all in brown sugar and bake them at 350 til the bacon is crisp. Strangely, they are better cooked ahead so you could do it, fridge them, then have them reheat them. YUM-O.
Another friend of mine creams together a block of cream cheese and a jar of salsa til smooth and serves w/ a bag of chips.
Homemade pico de gallo and guacamole are always a hit and are better made ahead. I have great recipes for those if you want.
Also for dessert a giant trifle bowl of homemade banana puddin’. My kids have a blue ribbon recipe for that that has NOOo fat grams. Totally kidding. There’s a million, but it will make you stick your grandma’s recipe in the shredder. It’s that good.
Hope you find something good! I’ve had trouble getting here today too…
Wienies in the crock with grape jelly and barbecue sauce. Mmm! Or maybe some fresh store-bought salsa (the good kind in the veggie section of the store) and chips. Rotel dip! Hot wings!
Man food is fattening, isn’t it?
Paula Deen’s South Georgia Caviar and a bag of scoops:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_21382,00.html
Ten bags of Sweet Sixteen doughnuts.
Actually, I do have one REALLY GREAT recipe for you.
You can just thank me later b/c the guys will LURVE you for these. I myself could eat a whole batch of them, however, they aren’t very figure friendly.
CRESENT ROLLS+PEPPERONI+CREAMCHEESE!!!!!=PERFECTION! aka White Trash Puff Balls.
http://www.recipezaar.com/53878
Oh, I meant to say that I made these 2 days ahead once. Just put them in the fridge and once needed pop right into the oven. ENJOY!
Mix a block or two of cream cheese (YES!) with picante sauce to taste, put in a shallow dish, top with any taco-type toppings (cheese, onions, olives…) and refrigerate. Serve with those nice Tostitos Gold chips (because they hold the dip best!). So easy, so awesome, and so cream-cheesy!!!
Wow, you are brave. :) What about ham roll ups? Sliced deli ham, spread with whipped cream cheese, with a thin slice of pickle rolled up and then sliced into 1/2 inch pieces. Then maybe for dip, that good ol’ (canned) chili and Velveeta cheese in a little crock pot or even heated in the microwave and served with tortilla chips. For dessert… oooh, have I got a dessert for you. Chocolate Trifle. It’s *unbelievably* easy and chocolatey and is adored by everyone. But I’ll email it to you. This is long enough. :)
I don’t know what they’re called, but roll up a tortilla with cheese and ham, lettuce and then slice like a jelly roll. I’ve also had them with cream cheese. Not particularly macho, but I bet they’ll eat them.
Something my sister made for my hubby’s 50th birthday that was a huge hit: Bacon wrapped bread sticks! Wrap a slice of bacon around a bread stick you buy at the store (the hard, crunchy kind). Bake…then out of the oven, roll in shredded parmesan.
Not sure of the temp but you could probably find a recipe online. Just realized this may be too many steps for D (rolling in cheese after taking out of oven), but maybe you could try it another time. These were the first to disappear at our party. Who doesn’t love bacon??
Oh and P.S. glad to know I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t access your blog today…and glad to know you are back up and running!
I know the food ideas may seem “heavy”, but I think with men there are’t really light options (unlike women who love our fruit kabobs and finger sandwiches!) Everyone has had great ideas, but I’ll tell you what’s been a hit for me lately is sausage balls. Make them before you leave, and the guys can either microwave them (they turn out fine) or put them in the crockpot all day on low. Here’s a recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sausage-Balls-II/Detail.aspx
Pablo? Nah. I like Uniqua. Mainly because her name’s Uniqua. That’s just awesome. And she’s sassy. And I DO admire a little sass in a chick.
Here’s an appetizer that is easy and my hubby loves it. It’s just spinach dip, but is much better than the store bought kind.
Thaw 1 box frozen spinach. Squeeze out water.
Mix spinach with 1 C sour cream, 1 C mayo, and 1 pkg Knorr’s veggie soup mix (dry).
That’s it.
Yum-o.
2 things and you could do BOTH!!! (edited to add a third)
1. Taco PIZZA with corn chips
You take a pizza pan or a large thin sided platter and spread softened cream cheese all over (up to 2 8 oz packs)… a thin layer. Top that layer with salsa.. whatever kind you like. Then add layers of shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, whatever. Serve with Corn Chips.. YUMMO! Oh you can refridgerate this over night, it’s actually BETTER to do this. Take out and serve with a bowl of chips.
2. NO NAME CROCKPOT idea..
I don’t have measurements because I “eyeball” it every time…
a pound or so (depending on the crowd)Hamburger browned and all fat drained. Throw in crockpot add velvetta… on low. Once melted you can add a couple of large spoon fulls of sour cream, or not… either way is fine and of course add a jar of salsa… let it all melt and mix… serve warm with corn chips.
Another thing you could do (and this will take a little MORE WORK) is peanut butter bugles. YUMMY!
Spoon crunchy peanut butter into the holes of bugle chips. Dip only the peanut butter end into melted almond bark.. milk chocolate or white chocolate will work well. Make sure to leave the end of the bugle without chocolate…
Place on wax paper to dry and store in air tight container… these will be gone FAST!
hope that helps.
I don’t know if this is too girly, or if “microwaving” is beyond Man Capability. But here it is.
Hot Pizza Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces pizza sauce
2 tablespoons green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced
Breadsticks or tortilla chips
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Spread in an ungreased 9″ microwave-safe pie plate. Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; sprinkle half over the cream cheese. Top with the pizza sauce, remaining cheese mixture, green pepper and onion. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is almost melted, rotating a half turn several times. Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips.
I suggest Mexican Pinwheels.
1 pkg flour tortillas
2 pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing
1 sm. can green chilis
Mix cheese, dressing, and chilis together. Spread on tortillas. Roll up jelly roll style. Refrigerate for a good hour or 20. Cut into 1 inch slices. These are wonderful, and light.
salami rollups w/ cream cheese and pickles inside
I would suggest my most favorite dip of all- Buffalo Chicken Dip – it’s super easy and people go crazy for it whenever I take it anywhere….If you prep it ahead of time- all he will need to do is put it in the oven until bubbly….
Buffalo Chicken Dip
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
red pepper flakes
garlic powder & salt
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
2 blocks cream cheese (1/3 reduce fat)
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Boil chicken breasts in water with a dash of red pepper flakes and garlic powder, salt.
Shred chicken
Mix ranch, red hot, cream cheese, 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, gradually add shredded chicken. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
Bake at 350’ until bubbly.
*Possible variation- instead of using 1 cup of ranch – you can do 1/2 cup ranch and 1/2 cup of blue cheese. Either way- it’s great!
Serve with fritos (scoops work best), tortilla chips, celery, sliced green bell peppers or anything else your that sounds yummy to you! Enjoy!
How about a taco salad? You could make the taco meat ahead of time, and basically have all the ingredients prepped so your husband just needs to toss it together. Serve with chips and salsa and something else cool. Maybe homemade limeade?
Or, you man could run to taco bell right before the guys come over and buy a bunch of tacos and junk.
Enjoy your trip!
I have a good recipe that can be made ahead of time and frozen in baggies…then you just take them from the freezer and put them on a cookie sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes until browned and bubbly-looking.
Brown 1 lb. of mild sausage and 1 lb. of hot sausage. Drain. In a large bowl, microwave 1 lb. of Velveeta until melted and smooth. Add sausage and stir together. Place spoonfuls of mixture on rye cocktail squares and smush the mixture down a little. Let them cool and at this point, the toasts can be put in baggies and frozen. When ready to serve, lay them out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. They are delish!!
And BTW, does anyone have any insight on WHAT Uniqua is anyway?!?!? Why do we have a moose, a kangaroo, a hippo, a penguin, and an unknown thingie?!?!
How about Tacos in a pan and Buffalo Chicken Dip(these are both awesome, ALWAYS the 1st items to go at any party, and the 2 dishes that everyone always asks me the recipes for. Plus they are super easy to make ahead of time).
Tacos in a pan:
2 cans refried beans
2lb taco meat (I use ground round w/2 taco seasoning packets)
1 package shredded colby/jack
Veggies of your choice
Salsa
Sour cream
Guacolmole (optional)
Tortilla chips and Flour Tortillas
Spray the bottom of a 9×13 pan
spread the 2 cans of Refried beans along the bottom, pour the taco meat evenly over the top and then top with cheese.
cover with aluminum foil and place in the fridge for the next day. To heat place in a 325 degree oven for 30-45 minutes … take cover off and heat for an aditional 10 minutes so the cheese will brown.
I also cut up my veggies ahead of time… like tomatoes, green onions, green pepper and lettuce (or whatever you like with tacos).
Buffalo Chicken Dip (chicken wings in a pan, but way easier):
4 boneless chicken breasts
12 oz bottle of Hot Sauce (for wings not mexican food)
2-8oz pckgs cream cheese
16 oz bottle of Ranch dressing
2c shredded cheese (I used cheddar/jack combo)
Tortilla chips, bagel chips or crackers
Boil the chicken breasts and shred the meat. Place in a 9 X 13 pan, pour hot sauce over chicken. In a sauce pan combine cream cheese, cubed with Ranch dressing and heat and stir until smooth. Pour over chicken and top with cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or
so…do not let the cheese brown. Serve with the tortilla chips, bagel chips, or crackers.
Make some brownies and you will be considered an AWESOME wife (not that you aren’t already, but all the guys will be totally jealous of your husband)!!!
Corn Salsa!
1i/2 Cups frozen corn (do not thaw)
1 small white onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 fresh jalepeno, chopped (I usually seed mine)
Fresh lime juice
salt
That is the basic part that I use every time, then I add whatever else I have (bell peppers, tomatoes etc…) Not that the guys will care, but it is really pretty and colorful
In the summer you can’t go wrong with a platter o cold cuts, and some big crusty rolls.
I have no Backyardigans knowledge, alas my youngest is 10.
However I have to admit Clean House has taken over my TV time. It just is great seeing people who have homes way worse than mine.
Sausage squares – good as make-ahead appetizer and as breakfast side for a crowd:
Unroll one pkg crescent rolls and spread on bottom of 9×9 baking dish
Cook one pkg jimmy dean sausage (mild or spicy) and drain
Mix sausage with one pkg softened cream cheese
Spread sausage-cream cheese mixture on crescent rolls, then top with another pkg crescent rolls (I usually pinch the seams together)
(if making ahead, cover with tin foil and refrigerate now)
Bake 350 until brown on top. (If I make it ahead, I take it out of the fridge for a little while before putting in the oven.)
Cut into squares and serve.
My hubby loves this cream cheese and chili dip and it is really easy to make. Get an 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese and a 15 oz. can Hormel chili with no beans. Spread the cream cheese on the bottom of a microwaveable bowl and pour the chili on top of it. When hubby is ready to eat, heat it on high for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and the chili is hot. Serve with Fritos scoops – sooo good!
The 7-or-however-many layer dip can stay in the frige beforehand and is YUMMY with the chips…
1 cup of Mayo
1 Cup of parmesean cheese
1 can of minced artichokes
mix together, bake at 350 for 30 min. Serve with Scoops. Delicious!!!
Also, and this one is a big hit with everyone…Corn Salad! Hooray!
2 cans of whole kernal corn
2 cups of shredded cheddar
1 cup of mayo
1 cup of diced bell pepper (green)
1 bag of chili cheese fritos
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate. When just about to serve, mix in the fritos. DELICIOUS!!! And far better the next day after you make it! ENJOY!
Popcorn is always easy and here’s a couple of change-ups for the plain ol’ popcorn!
After popping the corn:
-Add black pepper and parmesean cheese – give it a shake
-Add chili powder and parmegiano reggiano for a chili cheese taste
-For a sweet, kettle corn type – shake a little melted butter and sugar down over the corn…
Super yummy and easy!
I always get asked for this recipe. It is especially popular with men, because it is so hearty, and it gets better the 2nd day after the flavors meld together. (I omit the jalapeno pepper, because we don’t like them.) Happy Eating!
1 (15.5 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounce) can white corn, drained
1 1/3 cups medium salsa
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (2.25 ounce) can chopped ripe olives, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped*
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips.
Goldfish!!! – Mix a couple of packages of goldfish crackers with 1/3 cup vegetable oil, a package of dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, a couple of teaspoons dried dill…… YUMMO!!!!
p.s. We love the Backyardigans too! My now 4 year old went through a stage when she was 2 that she would only answer to the name Pablo. We were at church and a little old man said how cute she was and “what’s your name sweetie” You should have seen the look on his face when she said “Pablo!” Oh yes, and she only called me Tyrone, which also got some funny looks. KIDS!
This recipe is always a hit. And it’s soooo easy! All D has to do is plop it on a plate, add some wheat thins (or any cracker of choice) and he’s good to go.
8oz cream cheese
8oz sharp grated cheddar cheese
1 packet of ranch dressing mix
mix ‘em all up (easiest if cream cheese is room temp), pack into a flattened ball shape. Roll up in some saran wrap and leave it in the fridge until he’s ready to use it.
Hint: I usually divide into two flattened ball shapes. One to set out and one to keep in the fridge. When the first one is gone (or gets to warm), you can replace it with a fresh one from the fridge.
Enjoy!
Here’s a really easy and yummy dip. My hubbie loves it (and I do too)
Take 1 block cream cheese. Dump salsa on it. Serve with tortilla chips.
Well, I’d offer a recipe because I have puh-LEN-tee to share, but seein’ how I’m a day late and a dollar short on this post, I’ll just mention my love for the Home and Garden Television.
The Hubby and I are convinced that our nightly addiction to House Hunters takes our spiritual walk with Christ to another level.
I’m just sayin’.
I realize you have quite a few suggestions to sift thru here. But I have to give you this AWESOME recipe. It’s my favorite (and everyone else’s!) make-ahead. It’s definitely husband-tested and husband-approved:)
MARINATED CHEESE
1 (7 oz.)pkg. Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 Tbls. green onion, minced
2 Tbls. water
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
**Whisk the above together and set aside.
1 (8 oz.) block Monterey Jack cheese
1 (8 oz.) block Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 (4 oz.) jar chopped pimentos, drained
**Cut each block of cheese in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 1/4″ slices. Arrange cheese in rows in a shallow 2-qt. baking dish, alternating the Monterey Jack, Cheddar and cream cheese. Pour the marinade over the cheese. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Drain marinade; (you can arrange the cheese on a platter or serve in the baking dish). Top with pimentos and serve with crackers. DELICIOUS!!!
This could be something different to serve with the usual chips/dip and little smokies.
When do men not like wing sauce?
This is no fail.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
8oz cream cheese softened
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/2 bottle of Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce
2 chicken breasts boiled and shredded
-Mix cream cheese with ranch packet and spread in bottom of 9″ pie plate
-Mix chicken with 1/2 bottle of wing Sauce
-Spread chicken mixture over ranch mixture
-Top with cheese
-Refrigerate till ready to eat
When ready to heat remove any covering and MICROWAVE for 2-3min or till bubbly
TADA! serve with Fritos
Definitely Bisquick Sausage Balls. You can make them ahead and freeze them, then they can be zapped whenever needed. They’re yummy and easy!
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