2012 Was a GREAT Year: 6 Most Popular Recipes

2012 was a GREAT year,

and I'm here to review with you the top 6 recipes of the year.

I hope these recipes brought joy to your families,

and most of all to your palate.

Here we go.....

Crock Pot Beer Chicken

This recipe was viewed 3492 times in 2012.

I'm sure this recipe created many happy,

satisfied appetites.

 Crab Rangoon Dip

This is the perfect appetizer to serve to that seafood lover.

This recipe was viewed 2898 times in 2012. 

Sausage Gravy Biscuits

This recipe was an awesome challenge in 2012.

A reader challenged me to create a biscuit that has sausage

gravy right in it. An on-the-go biscuit.

And I never refuse a challenge.

This biscuit, I must say, was my most successful moment for 2012.

This recipe was viewed 2721 times.

Peanut Butter Nutella Cake

I remember this one just like it was made yesterday.

This cake made my whole entire house smell like peanut butter.

And everyone loves peanut butter, right?

This cake did not last long, and makes the perfect potluck cake.

This recipe was viewed 1142 times.

Spaghetti Salad

This will make your eaters happy, happy, happy....

It is also the perfect potluck dish.

This recipe came from a great friend of mine, Joelle.

If you have not taken the time to visit with her, you are

truly missing out. She is a wonderful cook and really knows

how to use her spices.

This recipe had 1061 views.

Pizza Pasta Bake

If you are looking for a family pleaser.....this recipe will hit the spot.

This recipe comes from a great blogging friend, The Country Cook.

Every recipe that I have made from Brandie's blog has been wonderful.

She usually has step-by-step instructions, along with pictures to

help you along.

Take some time to visit with Brandie. You will not regret it.

This recipe had 675 views in 2012.

What a great year! And I am looking forward to spending 2013

with all of you.

Don't be afraid to comment with suggestions, recipes you would like

to see, or new ideas that you would like me to apply.

Working together in 2013 is what I am most looking forward to.

Have a safe and happy New Year.

May all your dreams come true in 2013!

Love you all!! 

Crock Pot Meatballs and Casing Franks

 Yup, we are still focusing on appetizers and finger foods.

New Year's Eve is right around the corner.

 This one is a little bit of oven and a little crock'n'roll.....

And a funny story to go along with this creation:

My son asked me to put together something for a MAN potluck at his work.

Sure, I can do that.

Men love meatballs!

So, I set out to create a meatball feast.

I used tropical fruit jelly and hot pepper jelly for a manly appeal.

Threw in some picante sauce for spice, and then proceeded to

tell my son what I was putting in it.

Son: It's not going to be too hot to eat, right?

Me: PFFFT....NO!

Once I got my sauce put together, cooked, and tasted....

I was running around the kitchen trying to find a way to put the fire out.

So, I started dumping anything and everything I could find.

Which is how this recipe was created.

It took some condensed tomato soup, sugar, and honey to get the

sauce to an edible stage.....

But my frantic situation created an awesome outcome.

I am very happy with this recipe and my son asked me to make it again.

At the MAN potluck, the meatballs disappeared.

Cocktail Meatballs & Casing Franks

1 pound ground chuck

1/2 c. fine Italian bread crumbs

1/2 c. minced onion

1/4 c. milk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. pepper

8 oz. tropical fruit jelly (or grape)

4 oz. hot pepper jelly

12 oz. picante sauce

1 (10 3/4 oz) condensed tomato soup

1/4 - 1/2 c. honey

2 TBS sugar

8 casing franks, cooked and sliced into 2 inch pieces

Combine first 8 ingredients, mixing well; shape into walnut sized balls. Place meatballs on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 35-45 minutes.

Combine jellies, picante sauce, tomato soup, honey, and sugar in a large sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until well combined, about 4-5 minutes.

Place casing franks covered with water in medium sauce pan, cook until done. Slice in 2 inch pieces.

Place the cooked meatballs and franks in a large crock pot and pour the cooked sauce over them. Leave on low for serving.

This recipe is linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday

The New Year and Olive Feta Cheese Ball

 Okay, Christmas is over.

Now it's time to focus on bringing in the New Year.

You are going to want to produce some of the best 

finger foods

and appetizers...

Here is a cheese ball that I created just for that purpose.

Olives and feta go hand-in-hand, correct?

That's what I thought....

So, I put together this olive and feta cheese ball.

But I didn't leave it at just olives and feta,

I also rolled it in real bacon....

BACON!! 

Everything is better with bacon, right?

And the bacon along with the salty olive and feta is perfect.

This is awesome smeared on your favorite cracker.

I served mine with bagel chips.

Yum, yum, yummmmy!

The crackers shown above are Ritz Garden Vegetable.

Olive Feta Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, soft

2 TBS mayonnaise

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 (8 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese (your choice of flavors)

1/2 c. minced onion

1 c. chopped green olives

1 package Real Bacon pieces

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Mix in feta cheese crumbles, onion, and olives (I used my Kitchen Aid mixer with the whip attachment). Once everything is mixed together, form into a ball shape. Cover and chill in refrigerator for about 3 hours. Remove from fridge and roll in real bacon pieces (I purchased the real bacon in the dressing isle).

This recipe is linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday

Recipe: Cherry Cheesecake (No-Bake)

Happy Christmas Eve

From: A'lil Country Sugar

 This pie came about when I was trying to find a place to use

those awful pre-baked frozen pie crusts. 

You know, the ones in the grocer freezer that demands you take

shortcuts when creating your foods.

Never again will I buy frozen pie crust.....

But they served the purpose for this pie.

You can also buy the pre-made graham cracker crusts,

or make your own for this pie.

Just don't buy the frozen ones......

Typed above is my little piece of advice for you today.

This was a very good no-bake cheesecake,

and I loved the idea of using Jell-O.

It added lots of flavor, and the cheese cake part set up nicely.

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

2 Prepared (9 in.) baked pie crusts (make your own, or use a graham cracker crust)

1 (6 oz.) package pineapple Jell-O

1 c. boiling water

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, soft

1 c. white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3 TBS lemon juice

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Dissolve pineapple jell-o in boiling water, set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple jell-o mixture and lemon juice. 

In a separate bowl, whip evaporated milk. I used a hand whisk and whisked it till it was foamy. Fold into the cream cheese mixture. Pour into the prepared pie crusts.

Chill for 4 hours, then top with cherry pie filling. 

Foodie Friends Friday

 I don't know about you, but I love foot scrubs.

I always feel like I'm walking on brand new feet when I pamper them.

And you are going to need this AFTER the holidays.

What a perfect way to present 

'YOU TIME' 

'QUIET TIME'

'SPOIL YOURSELF TIME'

'LEAVE ME ALONE TIME'

'SHUT THE DOOR TIME'

I think you get the picture, right?

 I know the holiday is right around the corner,

and we are running out of time to make goodies.....

Here is something simple that you can throw together

and still remain "the guest with the best."

~Holiday Cheese Log~

 The results from last weekend's party:

Most Clicks:

Sweet Heat Chefs - Rosemary & Garlic Infused Oil

This and That - Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Walking on Sunshine - Homemade Colored Sugar

 Voted Top 3:

Hun.....What's For Dinner? - Mini Chocolate Cherry Flourless Cakes

With Toasted Marshmallow

Hun......What's For Dinner? - Double Chocolate Candy Cane Fudge

Half Baked Harvest - Chocolate Covered Pecan Butter Truffles

And the lucky winners from last weekend are listed below:

Congratulations!

Now let's head to this weeks party!

Where great recipes are always shared....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your Hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsview.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Kelly at http://www.adornedwell.blogspot.com/

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 

Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com

Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com

Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com

Recipe Cookie Butter Buckeyes

 I decided to skip the daily menu to bring you this bowl full of 

Cookie Butter Buckeyes.

Let's face it, candy is more important than a menu, right?

 Are you a Trader Joe's shopper?

If you are, I'm super jealous.

I love Trader Joe's and really wish there was one near me.

The closest Trader Joe's is four hours away from me.

YIKES!

But, thank God for Amazon.....

Amazon allowed me to purchase this much loved cookie butter.

To describe the taste:

It kind of has a hint of gingerbread taste.

I can see why they call it cookie butter.

 Please don't turn me in for food porn here.

These are naked buckeye balls.

And that just sounded totally dirty.

Okay, let's just leave it alone....

We'll move on to the recipe where it's safe.

Cookie Butter Buckeyes

1 - 11oz. container of Trader Joe's Cookie Butter

1 c. butter, soft

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

6 c. confectioners' sugar

4 c. melting chocolate for candy (I used Ghirardelli dark chocolate)

When melting my chocolate I always throw in like a TBS of butter just to make it creamy.

In a large bowl, mix together the cookie butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry (don't worry, it comes together. Kind of like playing with dried play dough). Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate (and 1 TBS of butter if you like) in a double boiler. Stir frequently until smooth.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate using a toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes. Place them back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Recipe for Pie Crust Christmas Cookies

Don't you just love the Christmas holidays?

What I love most about it is the cookies and candies that

represent Christmas, family, and eating.

I would be completely content with holiday food over any

kind of gifts. That's just the way I roll....

 I love preparing for the baking day.

Gathering cookie cutters (first locating them from their yearly hiding place),

sprinkles

cookie sheets

rolling pins

and pastry cloth. 

 This year I decided to try a little something different.

Don't get me wrong,

I love my family tradition cut-out cookies

(the best in the world),

but I'm thinking pie crust.

I love pie crust!

And sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar.....

It's the BOMB!

So, I'm making pie crust cookies.....

 The pie crust recipe that I used sort of represents a sugar cookie,

and I'm even considering making a pie with it

(not a pie maker here),

because this crust recipe comes together great and is so easy to work with.

 Since the photos of these cookies turned out

AWE(use high pitch)SOME!

I thought I would continue the holiday spirit and have you

look at all of them.....

Well, you don't have to if you don't want to.

Myself, I love looking at pictures.
Below you find some great Christmas cookie recipes
and lots of pictures.....

 Come on over and join us at the Daily Dish
for some great cookie recipes.
Almost 12 bloggers that have connected to bring you great
foodie information, tips, recipes, and lots of news.....
If you stick with Daily Dish, there is no reason you would need
a cookbook.
Serious!
Tons of recipes!
You can find us at:
www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish

 Here is the recipe!

Pie Crust Christmas Cookies

1 egg

6 TBS sugar

1 pinch salt

3 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. cold butter cut into pieces

4 TBS water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl mix egg and sugar together. In a separate bowl, combine salt and flour. Cut in butter using a pastry blender until tiny crumb form. Stir in egg mixture, then knead dough into a smooth ball. As I was kneading I added the water. I only used 4 TBS to form a soft dough. Wrap in saran and place in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Roll dough to 1/4 in. thick and use floured cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Repeat until all dough is used. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture (heavy), and sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them because you don't want them to get too brown. When the bottoms start to brown is when I took mine out.

This recipe is linked to:
Weekend Potluck ~ The Better Baker
Foodie Friends Friday

A Moment Of Silence

Foodie Friends Friday

Sugar scrubs!

2 Honey Coffee Sugar Scrubs:

This scrub is an invigorating blend of coffee, honey, sugar, and olive oil

that will exfoliate, hydrate, nourish and tone the skin.

1 Honey Sugar Scrub:

This nourishing scrub will exfoliate and brighten the skin while 

moisturizing and soothing redness and swelling.

I love to pamper my skin!

 This time of year everyone likes to stay calm, cool, collected,

and we don't like to stress over meals, right?

Right!

So this weekend I thought I'd take you someplace different than

my blog. 

I am going to take you to the land of crock pot recipes.

Actually, I'm taking you to Foodie Friends Friday Daily Dish.

Just close your eyes and click this link, and you will be

drifting in the sea of easy.....

Okay, keep your eyes open. 

I'm sure you are going to want to see these crock pot recipes in 

full view.

33 Crock Pot Recipes

Last weekend the top voted recipes were:

English Muffin Bread ~ On The Home Front 

Memaw's Lemon Sunshine Cake ~ Life Tastes Good

Chile Verde ~ Crumbs in My Mustachio

 Most clicks were:

Snickers Apple Salad ~ A'lil Country Sugar

Mason Jar Kahlua Brownies ~ Nosh My Way

Green Chile Casserole ~ Adorned Well

And the winners of the sponsor gift giveaway is listed below:

Now let's head to the party.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsview.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Kelly at http://www.adornedwell.blogspot.com/

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 

Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com

Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com

Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com

Holiday Cheese Log Recipe

 What a wonderful holiday appetizer.

This is so simple and can be thrown together in minutes.

Packed full of flavor, it is sure to please any crowd.

This recipe comes from a faithful reader of A'lil Country Sugar:

Mary Howard

I'm so glad she sent me this recipe, because it was a huge hit

at my Thanksgiving dinner.

And my (soon to be) daughter-in-law even used it to spread

on her panini sandwich before grilling.....

She made herself a fabulous lunch with this cheese log.

 All you have to do is throw all ingredients into your Kitchen Aid mixer

bowl, attach the paddle, and mix for a few minutes.

After mixing, take it out with your hands and shape into a log.

Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy..... 

 I rolled mine in the leftover pecans.

I couldn't get a photo of the log being rolled because my hands were all messy.

But I sprinkled the pecans on a piece of saran and rolled.

You can use the same piece of saran to wrap around the log to place in the fridge.

Serve with your favorite crackers.

Holiday Cheese Log

1 pkg. cream cheese, soft

3-5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I suggest staying on the low side of the 5)

1/2 tsp. cayanne pepper

1/2 c. pecans, finely chopped

Blend all together using only 1/4 c. of pecans, and roll into a log. Roll the log in the remaining pecans. Chill and serve with crackers.

This recipe linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday Daily Dish