Ham and Cheese Sliders

A friend of mine at work made these for a appetizer contest and won so I knew it wouldn't be long until I tried them out on my friends.

I made these for the first time this weekend for our Fantasy Football Draft and they were a huge hit. Super easy, inexpensive and DELICIOUS!!

Ingredients

• 1 lb deli ham thinly sliced



• 1/2 lb baby swiss cheese (I used shredded)



• 2 pkgs (24 count total) dinner rolls
  
  
• 1/2 cup butter
  
  
• 2 Tbsp prepared mustard
  
  
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
  
  
• 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
  
  
• 1/3 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Make sandwiches with rolls, ham and cheese -fill a 9×13 pan with these (you can squeeze them in

In a medium sauce pan on the stove bring to a soft boil: butter, mustard, worcestershire, poppy seeds, and brown sugar.

Pour sauce over top of sandwiches

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for appx 20 mins

Antipasto Calzone

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1 (13 to 16-ounce) ball pizza dough
• Cornmeal, for dusting
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded provolone cheese
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded fontina cheese* see Note at bottom
• 1 (4-ounce) salami, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 jarred roasted red bell peppers, drained and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 13-inch diameter circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a heavy baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.

In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses, salami, peppers, olives, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Put the cheese mixture on 1 side of the dough leaving a 1-inch border. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. Fold the unfilled side of the dough over the filling and using the tines of a fork, press the edges of the dough together to seal. Drizzle with olive oil. Using a paring knife, cut a 1/2-inch wide slit in the top layer of the dough. Bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut the calzone into slices and serve with warm marinara sauce, if desired.

Note:
Put a wedge of fontina cheese in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to make shredding easier.

Apple Cheese Sausage Balls

Ingredients

• 2 lbs bulk italian turkey sausage or Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage
• 8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 package bread crumbs (or make your own w/ 4 slices toasted bread)
• 4 small apples cored and cut into bite size pieces (unpeeled)

Directions

Preheat oven to 300.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Using an ice cream scoop as a measure, form into 2 inch balls.

Place on a greased baking sheet and bake until done (about 30-45 minutes)

*I sometimes make ahead and freeze until ready to entertain.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
• 1/2 cup any flavor hot sauce (I use Franks Red Hot)
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cans (12.5 oz. each) White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth. Mix in salad dressing, hot sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken. Bake 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired.

Serve with crackers or vegetables

*I have also made this in the crockpot and it turns out great with less fuss.

"Do not count your chickens before they are hatched." ~Aesop

Beer Dip

Ingredients

• 16oz cream cheese
• 1 ranch dressing mix packet
• 1/3 cup beer
• 8oz package of shredded cheddar cheese
• 4oz sour cream (optional)
• pretzels for dipping

Directions

Combine first three ingredients and blend until smooth. Add shredded cheddar, stir and chill until ready to eat. If you would like a smoother consistancy, add 4oz sour cream.

Serve with pretzels and enjoy!

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” ~Benjamin Franklin

Hot Herb Italian Bread

My mother-in-law made this bread for me when I was dating her son back in the 90's, and I was hooked. This is her original recipe. I have made variations over the years, but the dill weed is the key. I guarantee if you make this it will become a request of your guests for years to come.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf french bread - 14" long
• 1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 tsp dill weed
• grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut bread into 1 inch slices. Blend butter and herbs together, and spread generously onto both sides of bread slices. Wrap bread in foil (boat fashion) leaving top open. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley flakes. Bake in oven for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is browned and crisp.


"All sorrows are less with bread." ~Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote