Recipe Week Day 6: Lora and her Mandarin Orange Salad and Tasty Appetizers

Today's Blog-sitter is Lora from My Diabetic Child!

Lora is sharing with us some of her favorite recipes... and they ALL sound yummy!  Sweets is a big fan of mandarin oranges so I think adding this yummy salad to our menu would be a big hit!

Lora is one of the few D Mamas that I have had the pleasure of meeting in real life!  And she is just as sweet and fun as she seems on her blog!  And - so are her children!  Sweets LOVES Leighanna and Justin!  She thinks it's pretty cool that she and Justin have the same pump and the same Dexie and she just thinks they are tons of fun!  My parents have a condo in Florida that is close to where Lora lives - so we have met them more than once... and are looking forward to getting together the next time we visit!  Take a minute and go say HI to Lora on her blog!  I know she will crack you up!

THANK YOU, Lora, for helping me out and sharing all this yumminess with us! 

 

Mandarin Orange Salad

Chopped Romain Lettuce

Crumbled Feta Cheese

2 small cans sliced Mandarin Oranges, drained

Pecan chips

1/2 Red onion, chopped

Paul Newmans Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mix all together and enjoy!

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Quick and Easy Appetizers

These are great for football parties, birthday parties, block parties and even the upcoming 4th of July festivities.

Steve's Cheesy Hamburger Dip - I stole this from my friends husband over 13 years ago. I made it for a party at my in-laws after Anthony and I got married. It was a huge hit and has become a staple at all family events. I think of it as my contribution to the favorite family recipes.

2lbs ground chuck(or what ever hamburger meat you prefer. Ground turkey also works)

1 jar Tostidos cheese dip

1 pkg taco seasoning

Tortilla Chips

Brown and drain meat. Chop well while cooking. Mix browned meat, cheese dip and seasoning together in a sauce pan. Warm and serve with tortilla chips.

T's Taco Dip - This was was stolen from my sister-in-law. It is one of MY favorites.

2 - 8oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 c mayo

1/4 c sour cream

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp season salt

2 TBS Worcestershire

Mix all above together and spread evenly over a large platter.

Top above spread with:

shredded lettuce

shredded chedder cheese

dices tomatoes

sliced black olives

salsa - drizzled sporadically

Chill and serve with tortilla chips.

Fat Free Bean Dip - This one was also stolen from a friend that lived on our street. Anthony and I make a half batch sometimes and eat it for dinner. We call it "fat free" because of the re fried beans :)

2 cans fat free re fried beans

2 - 3 spoonfuls of sliced jalapenos, chopped fine

1 - 2 tbs of the juice from the jalapenos

1/2 jar of salsa

Mix all together and spread in a baking dish(9x13ish). You can alter the jalapenos to make the dip hot or mild. I am a wimp so I use 2 spoonfuls when I make it. Anthony is a bit "spicier" so he uses 3 (sometimes I think he sneaks 4).

Top with approx 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese and bake at 350 until cheese is melted. 

Serve warm with tortilla chips.