Pull Apart Bacon Blue Cheese Bread for the Party Boss

Have you ever shown up at a holiday party, office event, potluck gathering or even hosted your own shindig and been that person who brought the way too healthy appetizer to share? As a typically clean-eating, food-as-fuel sort of girl, I’ve been guilty of that. It was the dish everyone avoided like getting the flu on Christmas Eve, another holiday tragedy I wish not to repeat. In the spirit of “let’s live a little,” I’m sharing my recipe for Pull Apart Bacon Blue Cheese  Bread.

Pull Apart Bacon Blue Cheese Bread

No one can resist the flavor bomb which comes from piling bacon and blue cheese on cut-up, buttered-up biscuits. I ran all the miles and lifted all the weights this year, and I don’t feel one bit regretful about incorporating this easy appetizer into my holiday entertaining (and eating) plans. I noticed that guests didn’t seem to mind Pull Apart Bacon Blue Cheese  Bread either, not one little (bacon) bit! Read on to get the quick and easy cheese bread recipe: Continue reading

Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts {Paleo} for Holiday Gifts

I’m nuts about the holiday season – absolutely, positively, literally nuts! Pecans, cashews, almonds, pistachios, macadamia and more, it’s hard to name a favorite. Only chocolate rivals my passion for nuts, and this year, I’ve come up with an exotically-spiced nut recipe that incorporates my love for these two – Paleo Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts.Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts are an easy, yummy gift made with cocoa powder, date sugar and assorted raw nuts like pecans, cashews and almonds.

A jar full of Paleo Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts makes an edible gift that most everyone (with good taste) will appreciate. Plus, the smell of roasting nuts is guaranteed to draw a crowd, so make a couple batches because you may just end up with an impromptu holiday party on your hands!  Read on to get this paleo diet friendly recipe that is fun, fit and frugal to give as a gift: Continue reading

Gorgonzola & Dried Fruit Pie aka your Holiday Raisin d’Etre

What first comes to mind when you think of a holiday pie? For most, perhaps pumpkin, pecan or even all-American apple pie, but probably not a Gorgonzola & Dried Fruit Pie. However, once you spread a bit of this appetizer pie on a slice of pear, apple or savory wafer, you’ll never think of anything else!  Gorgonzola and Dried Fruit Pie

This deceptively easy, 4-ingredient appetizer will be the center of attention at any party, whether you’re hosting or need to take something along. As far as edible things go, it’ will become your “raisin” d’etre (haha, get the dried fruit pun?) Read on to get the recipe! Continue reading

Twice Baked Creamy Ranch Broccoli Potato Bites

‘Tis the season for side dishes and my Twice-Baked Creamy Ranch Broccoli Potato Bites are little mouthfuls of yumminess, fancy enough for your holiday dinner yet an easy fix to pair with fast weeknight meals.  And, as a party appetizer, these personal-sized poppers vanish before you can set down the platter! Twice Baked Creamy Ranch Broccoli Potato Bites

Something about a soft and tender baked potato that is so comforting, but often with all the other side dishes can be too filling.  Would you believe one of my go-to “carbo loading” meals at a nearby deli (a super-sized spud topped with broccoli cheese soup) inspired these cute little veggie-stuffed mini potatoes?  It’s true, read on to get the recipe! Continue reading

Baked Butternut Squash Dip

Holiday get-togethers are starting to gear up, from Halloween potlucks in the cul-de-sac to Thanksgiving gatherings, soon enough! When I need an autumn recipe that’s easy (but looks like I took some time with it) and healthy (but seems rich and indulgent), my blender recipe for Baked Butternut Ricotta Dip is a favorite to share.

Ranch Butternut Ricotta Dip bread in pan

Read on to get all the recipe details and find out my secret ingredient in this comforting, ooey-gooey appetizer. Continue reading