Spinach and Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread

Last weekend we got our first snowstorm of the season. I made sure to stop at the grocery store beforehand so that I could spend the weekend testing new recipes. I figured if I was going to be snowed in, I might as well be snowed in with a loaf of bread stuffed with cheese. I posted pictures of this appetizer on my instagram account, and I got tons of requests for the recipe. So, here it is as promised! I've made this a couple times since then, and so far its a hit. I'm thinking this might even be a contender for a superbowl party appetizer. It definitely makes for great football food, and I can assure you this appetizer would go perfectly with your favorite beer.

Ingredients:

• 1 french bread
• 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 oz) bag baby spinach leaves (or frozen spinach works too!!)
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• Parmesan cheese, grated, to top
• olive oil, to brush on top

Recipe: 

1. Saute the spinach, artichoke, and about half the garlic in a pot on medium heat. Add the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese. Mix until creamy.
2. Take the french bread, cut it into four sections, and hallow out the insides.  

3. Stuff the bread with the spinach and artichoke dip. Use a spoon to pack the dip down to the bottom.
4. Line up the four pieces on a cutting board to create one big french bread again.
5. Slice the bread as shown below. Brush the top with olive oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and the remaining garlic.

6. Wrap the bread tightly in foil and bake the bread on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
7. Unwrap the bread and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Today I was looking through my pictures and came across the one below.

 I made this appetizer months ago and it was a huge hit. I can't believe that I forgot to post it.

It's nothing fancy....

(the original recipe doesn't call it "tasty trashy taters" for nothing..)

It's not healthy...

(it's fried, oozing with cheese, AND wrapped with bacon and sugar...)

But it sure does taste good thanks to the salty bacon and sweet brown sugar! 

In my opinion salty and sweet is the best combo.

This would be PERFECT for the next time the man in your life invites all his buddies over.

Not to be sexist, but this just screams man food for me.

It's probably because my boyfriend loves anything that is wrapped in bacon haha. 

I'll certainly be saving this recipe for football season.

Football, beer, and trashy taters...

Sounds good to me!

Recipe Source: The Chew

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag tater tots (thaw to room temperature)
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (cut into tiny blocks-about 1/4 inch)
• frank's hot sauce
• 16 ounces of bacon strips (cut strips in half)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Recipe:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a cookie sheet with foil.
• Create an assembly line to make the tater tots:
• First, cut a small whole in the tater and place a cube of cheese in the opening.
• Dash tater with hot sauce. 
• Wrap the tater with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
•  Roll the bacon bundle in brown sugar. 
• Place on baking sheet. 
• Repeat with each tater.
• Bake for 10 minutes. 
• Flip tater tots over and bake for a remaining 5-10 minutes.

On another note, this is my first week co-hosting Tasty Tuesdays over at Anyonita Nibbles.

Link up below!
 

Superbowl Party Recipes

Getting ready for Superbowl Sunday?! I'm a little bummed that my home team didn't make it this year, but that doesn't mean I still can't enjoy the food and fun! These are some of my favorite recipes from the year. They are awesome party recipes and perfect for game day. Links are below for the recipes! (Bigger pictures are included with the original posts!)

Left Column of Pictures (From Top to Bottom)
Cream Cheese and Chili Mexican Dip
Pizza Dip
Corona Ritas (if you want to kick you beer up a notch!)
Mini Taco Cups
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Oreo Cookie Stuffed Brownies

Right Column of Pictures (From Top to Bottom)
Jalapeno Popper Wonton Pockets
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Buffalo Chicken Queso
Three Layered Mexican Dip 
French Dip Bites
Oven Baked "Fried" Pickles
Baked Jalapeno Poppers 

Don't forget my awesome football cupcakes too!!
 

French Dip Bites

Thank you Emily from Emily Bites for this recipe. These french dip bites are seriously to die for! It tastes like man food, but they look super cute at the same time! They would be perfect for a party, especially a fathers day party for this upcoming weekend.

 You can't go wrong with these unless you serve them to a crowd of vegetarians. I even liked them, and I'm not a huge roast beef fan. I guess the meat being smothered in sauce and gooey cheese helped haha. To me, they tasted exactly like steak and cheese. Next time I might mix some chopped peppers and onions in with the mix too!

Serving Size: About 12 "Bites"

Ingredients: 

• 10 oz deli roast beef, thinly sliced and chopped (I used rare roast beef so that it didn't overcook in the oven)
• 4 Laughing Cow Light Swiss wedges
• 1/3 c Au Jus gravy (I just used a pre-made kind from the grocery store)
• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I was lazy, so i just chopped up some mozzarella into mini bites)

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degress. Spray a 12 cup cupcake tin with cooking spray. 
• Combine the roast beef, cheese wedges and au jus sauce in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir mixture so that cheese and sauce is melted and combined with the roast beef.  
• Push two wonton wrappers on the bottom of each cup of the cupcake tin. I like to place them diagonally on top of each other to get better coverage. Evenly distribute the roast beef mixture into each cup. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. 
•  Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. I know it will be tempting, but let them cool for a few minutes