Carmelized Onion Sammy's & a whole lot More!

I'd like to start with saying I LOVE Bunco! But every year and a half ,there comes a time when I am in charge. Which stresses me out more than it should, mainly because I take on entirely to much work and make it harder than it really is. This meal would never have been completed had my friends and family not come over in time to help me put it all together.

Because of my recent obsession with Pinterest, I have found all of these amazing things I want to do, see, make and of course EAT! So therein lies my inspiration for this meal.

We have Veggie Cups - which is just julienne sliced veggies (any kind you like). I chose cucumber, carrots, bell peppers & celery. Arrange them in a clear cup with a good portion of ranch dip on the bottom!

Next Meatballs- which could not be simpler and completely delish! I bought a bag of frozen meatballs, dumped them in a crockpot on low with a jar of grape jelly and a jar of chili sauce. Let it cook about 3 hours.

Caprese Salad on a stick- I halved little mozzarella balls stuck a toothpick in them, then folded up a small basil leaf, pushed that on the pick and then stuck them into a halved grape tomato with the flat side down. After that I let them marinate in dish of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt.

Fruit & Dip- For the dip I used vanilla flavored yogurt and nutella.

Carmelized Onion Sandwiches- I found some nice soft sliced sourdough bread/ french bread. Carmelized a ton of onions. Then made some good old fashioned grilled cheese. Buttered the bread, then added Gruyere cheese and Fontina Cheese and the onions. Then grill on both sides till it gets nice and brown and the cheese melts.

I am proud to say that each item was a Hit!

Progressive Dinner

We have been doing Progressive Dinner with the Cummards for awhile now. This was my family's first year to do it. It is such a fun way to see everyones Christmas Decor while enjoying AMAZING food! My family sure knows how to bring it.

The first house was appetizers with Hayley & Brett the newlyweds!

She made spinach and artichoke dip & , jalapeno jelly with cream cheese.

Brett decided to get fancy and made this super Delicious Brie En Croute, I have been seeing this everywhere but didn't really think I liked Brie, well I was wrong this puppy was to die for. The puff pastry was stuffed with brie, pecans and brown sugar - Hello this was almost dessert and dang good. Also could it look any fancier. If you are looking to impress this is the way to go.

Ingredients

(adapted from Martha Stewart0

Serves 12 to 16

• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 standard packages (17 1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 wheel (2.2 pounds) Brie
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine pecans and sugar, using your fingertips to thoroughly mix; set aside. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat (French nonstick baking mat) or parchment paper; set aside.
2. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Place two sheets (one box) of puff pastry on the work surface one on top of the other. Using a rolling pin, adhere the two pieces of the puff pastry together. Continue rolling puff pastry until it is very thin, slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Using a pastry wheel or a sharp knife, cut the puff pastry into a 13-inch round, reserving scraps for decorating.
3. Place the Brie in the center of the puff pastry. Top the Brie with pecan mixture, spreading to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the cheese. Be sure to remove any sugar or nuts from the puff pastry, as they may cause holes to form during baking. Fold puff pastry up and over Brie to enclose. The center of the Brie will not be completely covered with pastry. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
4. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Repeat rolling and cutting process with remaining two sheets of puff pastry. Drape pastry over the Brie, tucking the edges under to enclose.
5. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and cream to make an egg wash. Cut reserved scraps of puff pastry into decorative shapes. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the decorative shapes with the egg wash, and adhere to wrapped Brie. Brush the wrapped Brie evenly with the egg wash. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake Brie until golden brown and puffed, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until dark golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes more.

Next was Colin & Heather's

Wow she really went all out.

Look at this drink station, yes those glasses are rimmed with sugar and limes!

What a gorgeous table setting!

I forgot to take a pic of the food but it was superb, she had chicken recipe from Kona grill with some amazing sauces and mashed potatoes. I am definitely going to be getting this recipe so stay tuned.

Last but not least my house for Dessert. I made Hot Chocolate Truffle balls from Mels Kitchen.

As soon as I saw these I knew I would be making them, they are super simple and a cute way to have hot chocolate.

(I think next time I am going to try milk choc. chips instead of semi-sweet. )

Red Velvet Cake from Costco

try this you will not be disappointed.

Hudson made cookies with his cousins and brought them to share at the party

Everyone got a treat to pick from

Holiday Aroma

Peppermint Bark -from Costco

Trail Mix -from Costco

Candied Cinnamon Sugared Almonds

- these were better than the ones at the mall, and Jackson made them all by himself!

Antipasto Salad & Bruschetta

For dinner tonight I decided on an Antipasto Salad. I fell in love with the salad from Rigatony's the first time I went, and I try to re-create it every time. I think this was the closest I have gotten to their's, it was absolutely scrumptious and everyone loved it especially my little guy Jackson who had about 5 helpings. Luckily my neighbor's the Oakliefs brought over their leftover BBQ Chicken sandwiches, since I had a lot of dinner guests. Everyone loved the sandwiches so I will have to get her recipe and post it later.

Antipasto Salad

Romaine Lettuce

Tomatoes

Red Onion (thinly sliced)

pepperoncini

salami

provolone

add this all together and put in your favorite Italian dressing.

I had some leftover bread so I thought I would make a little Bruschetta in honor of my dinner guest and SIL Suzanne ( who is the queen of Bruschetta). I think I added a little too much garlic, but everyone else seemed to love it. ( but I am not a huge fresh garlic person as it is)

Bruschetta

Dice up some tomatoes real small, add some fresh garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic to taste. Put it on some toasted bread brushed with olive oil or butter.

This is a fantastic appetizer that everyone loves.

I got this great idea from a blog I frequent called littlenannygoat who got it from another blog as well. It was so easy and turned out super cute. I think I might use it every year.