Snowman Oreos

These little fellows are adorable and fun to serve during the winter months. Thanks to The Idea Room for sharing this awesome idea!

Ingredients:

Double-Stuffed Oreos
white chocolate Almond Bark (or any white dipping chocolate)
mini chocolate chips
candy corn

Directions:

1. Melt chocolate.
2. Dip Oreo in melted chocolate.
3. Place candy corn on dipped cookie for snowman's nose.
4. Please mini chocolate chips on dipped cookie for eyes and mouth.

Make-Ahead Snowman Cheese Ball

I couldn't help but borrow this recipe from www.tablespoon.com because it is not only delicious, but it is also adorable. It is a hit at any winter get-together.

Ingredients:

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 ounces)
2 tablespoons basil pesto
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/4 teaspoon yellow mustard
2 drops red pepper sauce
1 container (4 ounces) whipped cream cheese, softened
Decorations of your choice (I use raisins for eyes and buttons, part of a carrot for the nose, part of a red pepper for the mouth, asparagus spears for arms and pieces of asparagus tops for the crown.)
Assorted crackers

Directions:

1. Mix 3 packages cream cheese and the Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts.
2. Combine 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture; mix in pesto.
3. Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one-third mixture.
4. Cover each cheese mixture and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
5. Shape each cheese mixture into ball.
6. Wrap each ball with plastic wrap and freeze.
7. About 12 hours before serving, remove balls from freezer.
8. Thaw in wrappers in refrigerator.
9. Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman.
10. Frost snowman with whipped cream cheese before serving.
11. Decorate as desired.
12. Serve with crackers.
13. Store covered in refrigerator.

Bean with Ham Soup

This is one of my favorite soups....just sayin'! ☺

Ingredients:
4 cans Navy beans, undrained
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 onion, chopped
4 bouillon cubes
cubed ham (You choose the amount.)~I usually buy Sahlen's ham at the deli. It tastes like ham right off the bone...Hmmm...so yummy
1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine or butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspooon pepper

Directions:
1. Place boullion cubes in pot with six cups water.
2. Add cubed ham.
3. Cover and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
5. Place butter in large skillet over medium heat.
6. Add onion, celery and garlic to melted butter and saute until lightly browned.
7. Add instant potatoes to broth and stir.
8. Add beans (with liquid) to broth mixture.
9. Add onion mixture to broth mixture.
10. Stir in salt and pepper.
11. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
12. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes before serving.

30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup

I can't take credit for this recipe. I found it in the February/March 2010 issue of my Taste of Home magazine. We enjoy this soup on a cold, blustery day and when we are under the weather. I hope you enjoy it as well...soooo easy...soooo good!

Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3/4 cup sliced celery
3/4 cup sliced fresh carrots (I sometimes use canned carrots.)
1 small onion, chopped (I sometimes use frozen onion.)
1 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules (I sometimes use a cube.)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups uncooked egg noodles

Directions:
1. In a Dutch oven, combine the first 10 ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat.
4. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Stir in noodles.
6. Cook 5-7 minutes longer or until noodles and vegetables are tender.

Best Pot Roast EVER

Ingredients:
1 beef roast, any cut, to fit size of crock pot
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
1 pkg. brown gravy mix
1 pkg. Italian Dressing mix

Directions:
1. Combine mixes well and sprinkle over roast in pot.
2. Pour water into bottom of pot.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.

Hot Chocolate Mix

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Nestles Quick
8 quart box powdered milk
6 oz. Cremora (1.5 cups)
1/2 lb. powdered sugar (2 cups)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container.
2. 1/3 cup mix + 2/3 cup hot water = ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS HOT CHOCOLATE!

Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:
eye of round (amount depends on how meaty your want the soup)
16 oz. can creamed corn
16 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 large can crushed tomatoes
3 cans Veg All
chopped onions (I use frozen onions) ~ amount depends on your taste
beef broth
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Cook eye of round in crock pot. (I usually cook it on low while I am at work.)
2. When eye of round is done, cut into small bite size pieces.
3. Place all ingredients in stock pot or dutch oven. (Do NOT drain vegetables.)
4. Begin cooking on medium. When soup begins to simmer, turn it down to low. It should be ready to serve in 30 minutes.