By Andy Bedwell
Anyone who entertains knows that the purpose of serving appetizers is to have your family and guests linger by the food, chatting and sharing. When my sister Mary has us over for Christmas, she always has a table fixed with the most fabulous cheese ball covered with pepper jelly. Every family gathering needs a fancy cheese ball. That little ball of goodness is usually made up of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and pecans.
Andy’s Favorite Cheese Ball
2 (8-ounce) cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cups finely chopped
pecans (use food processor)
2 tablespoons
chopped onion
½ cup chopped bell pepper
1 (8 ¼-ounce can
crushed pineapple, drained
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
Mix extra pecans and dried flaked parsley together and roll ball in the mixture. This will make either one large ball or two small ones.
Andy’s Note: I can never say enough about this recipe. I have to say that of all of my recipes, this one is my favorite. I ‘ve made this in different colors, different shapes, as a sandwich filler and as a dip. During the Christmas holidays, I always add sliced red cherries. You must try this one!
Yummy Enchiladas
½ cup sour cream
4 ounces cream
cheese, softened
2 cups hot salsa
2 cups grated
Mexican-blend cheese
3 cups cooked and
shredded chicken
¼ teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne
½ teaspoon cumin
1 cup frozen Mexican-blend veggies, thawed
4 green onions, sliced
12-14 flour tortillas, soft taco size
In a bowl, blend sour cream and cream cheese. Add one-half cup of salsa and one cup of cheese. In a second bowl, combine the chicken, oregano, cayenne pepper and cumin. Add the chicken mixture to the cheese mixture, then stir in veggies. Coat the bottom of a baking dish with salsa. Put roughly one-third cup of filling in each tortilla, roll, and place seam side down in baking dish until all ingredients are used. Cover with remaining salsa and cheeses and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with green onions in the final five minutes of baking.
Andy’s Note: If you buy a rotisserie chicken and pull the meat from that, it’s generally just enough to double this recipe. This is a great recipe!
Lemon Dump Cake
1 Lemon Supreme
Deluxe cake mix
1 package lemon
instant pudding
¾ cup Crisco oil
1 cup water
4 eggs
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Blend all ingredients in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed. Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Cool right-side up for about 25 minutes, then remove from pan. To make the glaze, combine the sugar and milk and drizzle over the cake.
Andy’s Note: This would be delicious with some homemade vanilla ice cream. I love anything lemon!
Stay cool and happy cooking, y’all!!
“Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell” can be purchased at The Messenger newspaper at 1957 Rainbow Drive and Alabama Gift Company in downtown Gadsden.