Cowboy Caviar

 Seriously, who doesn't love a good cowboy caviar? There's probably lots of recipes out there, but I thought I'd share mine anyways. I remember the first time I had it...I use to teach, have I ever mentioned that?  Well, that was years ago now, before I had kids.  Anyways, my teacher friend made it for my baby shower they were throwing me, that's the first time I was introduced to it...I'll never forget because I practically at all of it myself.  (Not really, but I ate a lot!)  It was so good, she even shared her recipe with me, thanks Linda!  I also really like the name, it's just funny to me.  Some of you might now this as other names, but this is my favorite.  This recipe makes a lot, and is great for gatherings or just to keep in your refrigerator ready to munch on.

Cheesy Meatball Bites

This recipe reminded me of my Pizza Bite Recipe, which I totally love!  I found I don't like these as much, but they're still good.  I had lots of meatballs I needed to use up, and this was just another fun recipe I wanted to try out w/ them.  Who doesn't love a good meatball?!  I know I do!

Look at the gooey cheese!

Jim 'N Nick's Copycat Cheesy Biscuits

Who else from the South loves Jim 'N Nick's as much as I do?  Or should I say as much as my husband does?  My first time eating there was about 1 1/2 years ago and I finally took my hubby about 6 months ago.  He got so mad at me b/c I had never taken him there before then.  My excuse was that I had never been before and that was his 1st time visiting my family in TN for that long.  Understand?  Anyways...he has never been able to eat any of Utah's bbq since then.  Jim 'N Nick's Brisket was just so good, that he cant settle for anything less.  But, not only is their bbq great, their cheesy biscuits...well...I just can't get enough of.  So, I found this recipe on Pinterest and had to try it out, actually I made it for Father's Day, and we all loved it!  Oh and a bonus was of course, it was so simple to make!

Bruschetta

My husband has always loved Bruchetta, and honestly I have never really liked tomatoes.  But, the past little while I have tried to be more open to them, and you know what?  I decided I love bruchetta!  As long as it's not just a plain tomato, and it's mixed w/ other yummy things, like basil, then it's delisious!  So, I found this Recipe, and decided to try it, along w/ a few changes to fit my needs and wants.  So here ya go, so easy and quick to make!

Day 9 - Cheesy Sausage Rotel Dip

For day 9 of 25 Days of Recipes I have a very special guest...please welcome my bestie and older sister, Bonny!  You've heard a lot about her already in past recipes, she is the source of a lot of my recipes.  Bonny is probably the most amazing sister anyone could ask for.  Just ask any of my friends out here in Utah, they all probably feel like they know her personally just b/c I talk about her non-stop...not joking.  She's so talented, anything she touches turns to gold! She's one of those sisters you look up to, you strive to be just like, and you want to be around all the time.  I miss, more than anything, having my sister near by...I  miss her so much (she's in GA).  Let me share just one little story about her that I'll never forget.  I was visiting her one time and my youngest, Connor, had a huge blowout (you know he was a pretty young baby...think about it).  I got all upset, tried to find stuff to clean him up w/.  Without even thinking Bonny grabs him, puts him in her bathtub and cleans him off.  By the time I walk in the bathroom to see what she's doing, I find her cleaning out his clothes and he's already cleaned off!  She did this all w/ a huge smile ya'll!  Now that's true love, either for me or the little guy, I don't know...but either way...she's the best!

Take it Away Bonny:

Spinach Dip

I don't know if you know, but I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (in other words, I'm a Mormon).  Well, a couple of weekends ago we had our General Conference broadcast (click to find out more), four-2 hr sessions spread out through Saturday and Sunday. So, why am I telling you this?   Well, b/c my husband loves to have food to munch on during this weekend.  I feel like that's what I did the whole weekend, cook!  So, my next few posts will be recipes that I made for Conference weekend.  This particular recipe is from my sister-in-law, Lisa.  We love it, especially my hubby.

All the ingredients.

Pizza Bites

I made these wonderful Pizza Bites for the first time a few months ago for one of my Potluck Luncheons I like to throw for mom's and their kids in my neighborhood.  They were a huge hit!  I've made it a few times since then, and again the other night for my book party.  They didn't turn out nearly as well this last time though :(  I'm guessing because I pre-made them, put them in the refrigerator and then cooked them.  They turned out soggy!  People still didn't seem to care very much though, b/c they're that good!  I also used string cheese this last time, which I hadn't done before.  I was running low on cheese, so I had to cut them in small pieces.  Which, I have always though the more cheese the better, so it could've been better.  But, let's go off the past times I've made them, they were sooo good!  I couldn't get enough.  I rate these a 4.5.

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich

I have always loved Chicken Salad sandwiches but, have never made them myself.  I finally decided it was time.  I don't know what made me think it would be hard to make these, but they're not at all!  They are actually very, very easy!  I found 2 different recipes, reduced fat and a regular chicken salad.  I decided to use the non-fat yogurt idea and add it to the regular chicken salad recipe.  Oh and fyi, the Costco croissants are just enough for the amount of chicken salad made.  I rate this a 4.5.

Artichoke Dip

Can I just say how much I love, love, love this dip?!?!  I think it is so good!  I was first introduced to it when I went to meet my husband's family for the 1st time during Thanksgiving, while we were still dating.  They always have this as an appetizer to snack on before the actual Thanksgiving Dinner.  I just couldn't believe how good it was, and that it was homemade!  I've continued on this tradition with my family for our own Thanksgivings.  It's also a favorite of mine to bring to parties and get-togethers.  So, I'm going to share the recipe with ya'll today, I just hope you enjoy it 1/2 as much as I do!  I rate this a 5.

These are all the ingredients needed.  My favorite way to make the dip is using half chilies and half jalapenos.  If you don't like as much spice just use chilies, if you like A LOT then use just jalapenos.  I think using 1/2 of each makes the perfect amount of spice.

Hawaiian Pork Skewers

These are so good, and so dang easy!  I've been making these for a while now, but I haven't made them all winter!  It felt so good outside today that I thought, "Why not bring some Summer into our home by using the grill?"  I got this recipe from Good Things Utah probably just over a year ago. The Woods on Ninth came on the show and shared the recipe, it looked so good, I just had to try it!  Well worth it!  I rate this recipe a 4.5.

After marinating for a few hours.

Pineapple-Mango Salsa

My husband won't be home for another hour so I decided to go ahead and post another recent find!  This one I just made Sunday and it turned out so good!  I get lots of fruit and veggies from Bountiful Baskets (a food co-op) so I decided to make something w/ the mangos and veggies I had.  My husband encouraged me to find a good Mango salsa recipe, one for chips, not as a meat topping.  I actually really didn't want to b/c I've had Mango salsa from Costco, and to be honest, I'm not a big fan, at all!  But, he insisted so, when I found this recipe that had Pineapples, called Pineapple-Mango Salsa I thought, why not try it out?!  It sounded good!  And let me tell you, it was sooo good, it has the sweetness along w/ the perfect amount of spice!  I'm a big fan of this recipe!  If you've never cut a mango, like I hadn't, then check out this website for help.  I rate this recipe a 5!!