“Party Food”!  Who doesn’t like party food?  Everyone I know (almost!) loves to graze on dips and hors d’oeuvres for hours!! Not realizing that those little finger sandwiches (that you just pop in your mouth) are really 1/4th of a whole sandwich…who hasn’t eaten their share of those wonderful little bites – only to realize, later, that they probably ate the equivalent of 3 whole sandwiches!  Same thing with those darn little meatballs or meatpies…or God forbid those little wieners drenched in barbeque sauce!! Why don’t we just stick to the beautiful little veggie tray – we all hit it (out of self-respect)…but, not many of us can (or should, in my opinion) turn down real party food~

Whenever I have any type of party, I always go overboard on the food…go figure!  But, there is one dip that I always have and no one can resist…good ole Corn Dip.  If you don’t have this recipe and have never tasted this addictive dip, then you need to copy this recipe for your next party – your friends and family will love you for it!

CORN DIP

2 cans of whole kernel corn

1 8 oz container of sour cream

1 cup of mayonnaise

1 bunch of green onions – chopped

1 fresh jalapeno pepper – seeds removed and chopped finely

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

1/2 cup of salsa

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 bunch cilantro (fresh – chopped finely) or 1 tsp dried

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and let sit in fridge at least 4 hours or longer…

That’s it!!!  Quick and easy…but a favorite – I promise!

Now, for a party food that I don’t make every time I have a party, but is one of my favorites – from years gone by…Guacamole Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes.  You can really stuff the cherry tomatoes with any kind of soft herb cheese, shrimp or crab salad – anything you can think of…but my favorite is always with guacamole.

GUACAMOLE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES:

2 dozen large “round” cherry tomatoes

3 ripe avocados

2 tbsp minced onion

1 lemon – juice only

2 ripe tomatoes – finely chopped or use the “scooped out” portion of the cherry tomatoes

1 tsp chili power

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Clean the Tomatoes:

With a very sharp paring knife – cut out the stem of each cherry tomato.  Then, cut a little hole into the middle – removing most of the center of the tomato.  Use a very small spoon, if necessary.  Reserve the “scooped out” tomato pieces and juice for the guacamole.

Place each tomato upside down on paper towels to drain.

Make the Guacamole:

Peel and remove the seed of each avocado

With a fork, mash the avocado well

Add tomatoes, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion and lemon juice and blend well with mashed avocados

Stuff the Tomatoes:

Using a very small spoon or piping bag – fill each tomato with the guacamole.

Top each tomato with a sprinkle of chili powder.

Put on a pretty party tray and watch them disappear!!!

Party Food that works…kind of makes me start thinking about our next little event –  both of these will be there, for sure!!!!