An Inside Kinda Day

Looks like an inside day today. Raining and 53 degrees. Our daytime high looks to be the same as our morning low.

All but the wooly boys (the rain doesn't seem to bother the sheep) are huddled in their shelters waiting for the rain to pass. According to the forecast they will be waiting most of the day.

I dug out the recipe box and family cook book last night, started my holiday grocery list. Thought I would share a few of the recipes.

This recipe I stumbled upon way back when I was searching for recipes using goat cheese. You can find it on the Betty Crocker site with a variety of ways to shape it. For some reason I just liked the pears best.

Cheese Balls
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 package (3 1/2 to 4 ounces) soft Chèvre (goat) cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Beat all ingredients in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth.
2. Shape mixture as directed in recipes below. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Christmas Pears: Double the above recipe for 2 pears. Shape each cheese ball mixture into pear shape on waxed paper or plastic wrap. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate. Place pears in large shallow serving bowl or on platter. Spoon 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce over one pear; spoon 1/4 cup chutney over other pear. (If desired, process chutney in blender or food processor until smooth.) Break 1 cinnamon stick crosswise in half; insert in each pear for stem.


These are a few of the holiday side dishes the family enjoys.

Spinach Casserole
1 large carton of large curd cottage cheese
1 lb. shredded Monterey Jack
2 eggs
2 tbsp. flour
2 packages chopped frozen spinach (thawed)

Mix cottage cheese & Monterey Jack with eggs & flour.
Add well-drained spinach.
Mix all ingredients together.
Pour into greased casserole dish.
Bake 30- 45 minutes @ 350 degrees
Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes.

Spinach Casserole - Reduced Fat Version
1 large carton fat free cottage cheese
*1 lb. Reduced fat shredded Monterey Jack
Egg Substitute to equal 2 Eggs
2 tbsp. flour
2 packages chopped frozen spinach(thawed)

Mix cottage cheese & Monterey Jack with eggs & flour.
Add well-drained spinach.
Mix all ingredients together.
Pour into greased casserole dish.
Bake 30- 45 minutes @ 350 degrees
Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes.
*If you can't find Reduced Fat Shredded Monterey Jack you can buy the block and shred it yourself.

Broccoli Casserole
3 stalks celery chopped fine
1 small onion chopped fine
1 stick margarine
16 oz of frozen broccoli
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of celery soup
2 cups cooked rice
*1 large jar of Cheez Whiz

In a large skillet sauté celery & onion in melted margarine.
Add frozen broccoli, soups and Cheez Whiz.
Stir well to blend & simmer on low heat until heated through.
Stir in cooked rice & pour all into 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
* 1/2 block of Velveeta Cheese cubed can be substituted for Cheez Whiz. I'm not listing the green bean casserole recipe, most probably have the recipe since it's been around forever and ever. I will add I substitute french cut green beans for the regular cut.

Now I am making myself hungry...going to head to the kitchen to make a batch of Feta Spread and maybe some crackers.
Feta Spread

• 4 oz Feta cheese
• 4 oz Cream Cheese
• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1 glove minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp. dry basil
• 1/4 tsp. dry oregano
• Pinch of dill
• Pinch of black pepper
• Dash of thyme

Mix well, serve with crackers or bread.

Have a great day!