Annie's Hummus

Hummus is a great snack or even a light meal, full of protein and packed with flavor. I like to make my own chips by slicing up soft tortillas with my pizza cutter and baking them on a stone until crispy.

Ingredients:
1 can (or 2 cups cooked) garbanzo beans, drained
3 tbs. tahini
1 lemon, juiced, or 1/4 c. bottled lemon juice
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 c. olive oil
salt & pepper

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. If it is too thick, add a bit more olive oil or liquid from the garbanzo beans. Scrape into bowl and sprinkle with parsley or paprika. Serve with pita chips, crackers or cut up veggies. Store in refrigerator.

Variations: add kalamata olives, spinach, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This is a combination of several recipes because my brother made a good dip but couldn't give me amounts, so I had to guess and improvise.

2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 c. mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
3 cloves garlic, minced

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Place in small casserole dish and bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 or microwave for 5-8 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or toasted bread.

Can be made ahead and refrigerated until time to bake.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

This is a delicious cheese ball, a little different from the usual. I lost my original recipe so this is the closest I could find. Serve with water crackers or some other plain cracker because it has great flavor of its own.



2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, soft
2 oz. smoked sliced beef (chipped dried beef)
1 tsp. each celery seed, garlic powder, onion salt & dried parsley
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
5 oz. grated cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. horseradish

Mix ingredients in bowl. Shape into a ball (wet hands are the easiest) and roll ball in dried parsley for color. Refrigerate overnight to meld flavor. Set on plate and surround with crackers.

Hot Ham & Cheese Party Sandwiches

from my friend Sherri A.

Oh man, are these yummy! They are great for a party, as an appetizer, or can be part of a buffet.

1 pack mini Martin's potato rolls (very small dinner rolls)
1 lb sliced or chipped ham
1 lb sliced Swiss cheese

½ cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs. mustard
2 Tbs. poppy seeds
2 T worcestershire sauce

Pre-heat oven to 350.

Slice rolls in half horizontally. Line bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with the bottom of the rolls. Layer with ham and cheese and place the top of the roll on.
Mix other ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Pour over the sandwiches and bake for 20 minutes.