"bar food" and appetizers

This will not be a healthy post. My husband has requested "bar food" for Sunday, so we can watch the superbowl and be overeating americans like everyone else. I don't even know what time the superbowl starts or who is in it (oh wait the Cardinals are because people have said if they can make the superbowl there's hope for the Lions). But I digress. Onto the junk food!

My husband loves this roast beef dip. I think its a bit salty but then find myself slathering it on triscuits.

BOURBON SAUSAGE

1 – 16 oz pkg. little smoky links
¾ cup cocktail sauce
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup bourbon

Combine all ingredients in fondue pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until sausages are heated through. Keep warm.


Meatballs

1 jar Heinz chili sauce
1 small jar grape jelly or currant jelly
frozen meatballs

I just add enough frozen meatballs so it isn't too saucy but there's enough sauce to go around. Can I be more vague? I put it in a crock and just let it sit all day on low.


SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP

1 pkg frozen, chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
2 small jars, artichokes
1 – 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup parmesan cheese
5 oz pkg shredded swiss
1 T minced garlic
basil to taste
paprika
bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine all ingredients (I throw them in a cuisinart so there's no "chunks" that scare my husband), except paprika and bread crumbs. Place in 1-1/2 quart casserole. Top with bread crumbs and paprika. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until lightly browned. Serve with assorted crackers, breads.


NIEMAN-MARCUS SPREAD
8oz sharp shredded cheddar cheese
1 16oz jar Helman’s mayo
1 jar Hormel bacon bits
green onion tops (to taste) (2)
1 package slivered almonds

Mix together, chill, spread on crackers
This stuff is like crack, don't make it unless you want to eat it all.


VELVEETA MEXICAN CHEESE DIP

1 can chili (w/ or w/o beans)
1 small box Velveeta cheese or half of the bigger box
1 small jar of salsa
1 (small) can of diced chilies

Cube Velveeta cheese & place in large microwaveable bowl. Add chili, salsa & chilies. Microwave until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips. Can also be made in a small crock pot or electric fondue pot, don't have to microwave just dump it all in.
I have also seen Rotel used instead of the salsa/chiles. Sometimes I skip the salsa.


TERIYAKI CHICKEN BITES

½ cup teriyaki sauce (bottled)
1 tsp sugar
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp peanut oil

Cut chicken into 1” pieces. Set aside. Mix together teriyaki sauce and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Reserve 2 Tbsp of marinade. Add chicken pieces to remaining marinade and toss until coated. Set aside to marinate at room temp for 30 minutes. In dry skillet, toast sesame seeds over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown (or you can buy toasted sesame seeds now, yes I'm lazy). Set aside. Combine reserved 2 Tbsp marinade with water and cornstarch, mix well. Set aside. Heat oil in wok until very hot. Remove chicken from marinade and stir fry until cooked through. Pour in marinade/cornstarch mixture and stir fry until sauce thickens – approximately 2 minutes. Serve warm.

Note: My Mom made enough marinade to cover the chicken while it is a chafing dish/fondue pot or whatever you are serving it in to keep it warm. Usually about 3 times sauce that it calls for. She also used to put in a can of pineapple chunks after it was cooked.

I am going to try these this year I think, baked potato skips from freep.com. They have a bunch of other recipes on there, so have at it :)