party food

Nuts for Christmas (and I don’t mean crazy)

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rosemary mixed nuts

It is only December 2, and I already feel like a crazy person. Every year, I decide to make all kinds of Martha Stewart-ish holiday treats (cocoa kits, reindeer food bags, gingerbread houses…) and then get testy with everyone in my house because they interrupt my projects when they want something– like dinner. Even though I had about 6 loads of laundry to do, several sets of school papers to grade, and various other weekend chores, I chose to mix up a batch of Buttered Nuts with Rosemary and Orange, print cutesy labels, and bag them using one of the clear gift bags I have in my vast collection.

This morning’s project is super fast and will be going to some of my husband’s co-workers or given as a thank you sirsee to the hosts at the (few) holiday parties we are attending if I run out of cocoa kits.

rosemary and orange mixed nuts

Ingredients

  • 2 cups lightly salted roasted mixed nuts can (an 11.5 oz can)
  • 1 T. unsalted butter
  • 2 T. sugar
  • 1 T. fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 T. thinly sliced orange zest

Directions

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the nuts, sugar, rosemary, and zest. Cook, tossing, until the sugar is melted and the mixture is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.  Let cool on a baking sheet.

NOTE: Recipe can be doubled easily. I added an additional 1/2 c. of pecan halves and 1/2 c. of plain almonds and a few extra mixed nuts, then doubled the seasonings and butter.

More Tailgate Food

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This dip has all of the basic ingredients required for good football watching food– bacon and cheese. I love our family recipe because it can be doubled (or tripled) easily. I recommend serving this dip with Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat Thin crackers, which I believe are the perfect vehicle for getting the cheesy bacon goodness into your mouth. It can also be served with Triscuits, or Fritos Scoops. I have even served it with Snyder’s Dipping Sticks pretzels. Many people I know have a favorite bacon and cheese dip of some kind. What is your best bacon and cheese dip recipe?

Ingredients

  • 1/4 c. slivered almonds
  • 2 strips crisp bacon, crumbled
  • 1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 T. green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 c. mayonnaise

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients together thoroughly.

Labor Day Potluck

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As predicted in my 4th of July Party post, our neighborhood group gathered together again for a potluck dinner in honor of the Labor Day holiday. We did not have family relay races or a bike parade this time, but our activities coordinator and fab friend, Jackie, did set up a tie dye table for the children. I have not tie dyed a t-shirt since I went to summer camp as a kid. I had forgotten how much fun the reveal is when you finally release the shirt from its rubberband prison.

      

The Activity: Ms. Jackie set up a low table and hung a clothesline. She provided t-shirts, Rit dye, a big tub of rubberbands, and brief instructions. After the kids tied up the t-shirt, Jackie and one assistant handled the dying, so the mess stayed contained. The shirts looked great!

The Snacks: I provided a Sun Dried Tomato Dip (thank you Ina Garten) that is great in warm weather. My favorite veggie for this dip is sugar snap peas, but all the standard raw vegetables work well. I also like pita chips and Snyder’s Dipping Sticks pretzels.

The Dinner: Rather than hamburgers and hot dogs, the group put together a fish taco bar. One neighbor fried up hush puppies and shrimp on site. We  had yellow rice, black beans, and a vinegar-y slaw to go with the tacos. Since we live in South Carolina, it is easy to get good fresh fish. If you can too, try a fish taco bar some time.

Anybody else have a food idea for a neighborhood get together that is different from the typical grilled hamburgers and hot dogs?