Taking The Hassle Out Of Christmas - Part One - Christmas Parties What To Take

Ok we have all panicked when were invited to a Christmas Party and thought what can I take, and known full well that you would have to make something yourself, as every cent was accounted for,  well here is the solution, when of course a box of favourites simply just won't do..........

Round Filled Cob Loaf 

This is delicious

Cut the top off a cob loaf, and retain the cut piece.

Scrape the inside of a round cob loaf out and bake in a moderate oven for approx 30 minutes.

Cook in a small frying pan with a little butter

1 Chopped onion and 4 Rashers of bacon

While that is cooking, mix together

200 g of Sour Cream
300 g of Grated Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Add the two lots together and microwave for about 2-3 minutes until everything is combined and heated, then pour into the warmed cob loaf, cover with the bread lid, and place on a tray, cover with Tin Foil and you have a fabulous dish to take.

Nuts And Bolts

Ingredients

8 oz Butter

4 Teaspoons of curry powder
500 g  of raw peanuts
2 Packets of crispy Fried Noodles 
3 Packets of Caramel Popcorn 

Melt the butter with the curry powder in a large saucepan.

Add raw peanuts, cook for a further 20-25 minutes, stirring OFTEN

In a meat dish which has been warmed slightly on a top element,  add the noodles and popcorn, then add the peanuts and juice.

Keep cooking on the element for a further 10 minutes, stirring at regular intervals.

Drain on masses of paper towels in another large meat dish, and seal tightly in zip lock bags.

Confetti Dip

Ingredients:

2 eggs (whisked)
2 Tblsp sugar
1 Tblsp butter
2 Tblsp vinegar
250g Tub of Cream Cheese
2 Tblsp of Tomato Sauce
Onion
Green Pepper
Tomato

Method:
Cook these together in a med. bowl over a pot of boiling water until thickened,
Remove from heat let cool then beat in cream cheese and tomato sauce or puree until smooth then add half a chopped onion, half a green pepper and half a tomato minus the pulp.

I sometimes add some red pepper too, you can add what you want basically
Serve with either crackers or vegetable sticks or pretzels.

  

Party Cheese Ball

People are always asking for this recipe! Makes 3 large balls.
Keeps well in the fridge for a few days.
Great with crackers and vegetable sticks.
This is our Christmas or special occasion treat that always gets rave reviews.
Just be patient when mixing.
Your arm gets a good workout but you want to keep going until fully combined and you cannot see the grated cheese.
You can add extra grated cheese depending on your taste

Ingredients:

250g cream cheese
1 medium onion finely chopped
4 gerkins finely chopped
2 cups grated cheese
4 tablespoons Tomato Relish

Method:

Place all ingredients except chopped nuts into bowl
Mix with wooden spoon
Be patient, keep mixing untill grated cheese is blended
Taste, add more grated cheese if you wish
Divide into 3 balls
Roll in chopped nuts to cover
Refridgerate
Enjoy!