Party food...

Whew!

I just got done cleaning up the little Christmas party and gift exchange I had for some of my girlfriends tonight.  We had SO much fun! It had been awhile since I had some good girl time, and it was definitely much needed.  But can you believe that I didn't take a SINGLE picture??!!  Not even with my iPhone.  I'm pretty sure that makes me the worst blogger ever.

But as a peace offering, I'm posting links to all the recipes I used tonight.  A lot of them were new recipes (which is always a risk), and I'd definitely make most of them again.  To see the recipe, just click on the name of the dish.

Here we go...

Jalapeno Popper Dip

via 

This stuff is tried and true.  It's different and delicious.  Give it a try for your next party.

 Dorito Casserole

via

Let me just first say that mine looked nothing like this.  That might have something to do with the fact that I used the wrong size pan and didn't layer it like the recipe said to.  Anyway... I saw this on Pinterest and had to make it.  And it was definitely good, but not amazing.  But that could totally be operator error.  Fo sho.


Fudgy Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

via

Um, yes.  These are as delicious as they look.  They're definitely not a super low-maintenance (or cheap) recipe, but they're worth it.  Pinky promise.


Cake Batter Bars

via

Heaven.  That's what these babies are.  If you make them, pretty pretty please don't overcook them.  They've got to be a little undercooked to have that deliciously chewy texture, so resist the urge to put it back in the oven when they're still jiggly.  You won't be sorry.


Champagne Punch

via

This stuff was really yummy.  The recipe calls for cloves and cinnamon, so it's got that fun, Christmas-y flavor, but it's still fruity and fresh too.  Plus, aren't the sugar-rimmed glasses the cutest things you've ever seen?  (But know that the green sugar may or may not turn your mouth green like it did mine.) Super fun recipe.


Broccoli Salad

This was a recipe my sister-in-law got from a coworker, so I don't have a picture.  But it was good.  You've probably had some version of this somewhere.  Here's what I put in mine.

Ingredients

4 cups of broccoli

2 cups seedless red grapes cut in half or fourths
½ cup chopped red onion
1 bag of slivered almonds
1 package of cooked bacon crumbled (do not add the bacon until you are ready to serve)
You can also add chopped celery (1 stalk), but I left it out because Faith doesn't like celery.

Dressing 

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup sugar

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar (plus more, to taste)

Directions

Mix up dressing  and toss with the salad stuff at least 2 hours before you serve it.  Store in refrigerator until time to serve.  Then add the bacon and toss again.

Simple and delicious.

 

"White Chocolate" Popcorn

Just for the record, it doesn't actually have any white chocolate.  It's the white, vanilla-flavored candy coating you find in the baking aisle.  Some people call it almond bark (but it doesn't have almonds in it, either, as far as I know).  Anyway, I digress.

Ingredients

1 bag natural, no-butter, no salt popcorn

1/2 package white candy coating

Directions

Pop the popcorn.  Try and remove any unpopped kernels if you can.  Melt the candy coating in a big bowl according to the package directions.  Add the popcorn and stir it all around to coat the popcorn.  Once it's all stirred up, pour it onto wax paper to harden.  Let it sit for about 45 minutes or so, and then it should be good to go. 

 

Hot Chocolate Bar

I was inspired by this pin on Pinterest to have a hot chocolate bar:

via

(Although I can promise you mine wasn't anywhere near this cute.)

I made this recipe for hot chocolate (multipled it by four) and put it in my crock pot to keep it warm.  Then I set out little bowls of mini marshmallows, mini m&ms, and some candy canes for stirring.  It was simple and fun.  I didn't actually have any, come to think of it, but it looked good. :)

Smores Favors

Last, but not least, here are the favors I made.

Pinterest again.  I sound like a spokesperson.  But these were so cute (if I can say that as the hostess).  And easy to do.  I like things that are functional as well as cute, and these were perfect. 

So that's what I made tonight!  After all that cooking, I'm thinking it's just about time for a loooong bubble bath. :) (And if you're wondering, yes I am still dieting.  32 pounds down so far.  But I'm guessing it'll be more like 30 after tonight. :))