Birthday Dinner

Sorry I made you wait so long... Sunday's birthday dinner for my sister-in-law was a success! I am so pleased as this was my first big dinner in the new house. I was able to pull out all the new serving ware and utilize all my dinnerware and flatware... I am such a domestic geek. I even used my linen napkins and napkin rings for the first time! I made sure to spruce up the rest of the room by adding some candles and a pumpkin ensemble....

Here is what was served:

Cheese Ball (made to look like a pumpkin)

Salad

Green Beans

Sauteed Asparagus

Mashed Potatoes

London Broil with mushroom gravy

Chocolate Trifle

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Everything was homemade with love, save the canned green beans. I was able to save myself from freaking out the day of by preparing the cheese ball, the turtle pumpkin pie, and part of the chocolate trifle the day before. Without further ado, some recipes for you.....

Caramelized Garlic Cheese Ball
2 tsp butter

2 tbsp coarsely chopped garlic (I def. used more and it was most certainly noted)

1 tsp sugar

8oz cream cheese, softened (Chan, did you even notice?)

1/4 cup butter, softened

8oz sharp cheddar, shredded

1/4 cup sliced green onion

1/4 tsp salt

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1/2 cup finely crushed cheese crackers (I used Cheeze-It)

bell pepper or green onion for garnish

Melt 2 tsp butter in small skillet until sizzling, add garlic and sugar.

Cook over med/high heat stirring constantly until garlic starts to brown (3-5min).

Remove from heat.

Combine garlic mix and all other ingredients, save the crackers, in bowl and beat at med speed until creamy.

Shape into ball (pumpkin), cover, and refrigerate 1 hour.

Uncover and roll cheese ball into crushed crackers.

Cover and chill 2 more hours, or however long you need to, and garnish with green pepper. I just used the green onion because it was already on the counter. You can actually freeze this deliciousness for later consumption.

I'm going to hop around a bit and go straight to the dessert now....

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

I stole this recipe... clearly I don't have time to sit at home and brainstorm recipe ideas so I will save us all some time and just link this recipe. Plus, like the terrible blogger that I am, I forgot to take a pic of the finished product before it was savaged.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/turtle-pumpkin-pie-106961.aspx

I did get a little distracted with some housework going on Saturday and accidentally put in a tbsp of cinnamon rather then a measly tsp. I could taste the difference but no complaints were lodged. I will put a warning on this pie though, it is RICH.

Chocolate Trifle

1 (19.8oz) package brownie mix

1 (3.9oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup water

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (8oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (12oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, they don't actually make 12oz containers of Cool Whip, but they do make 16oz containers.. do with that what you'd like.

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares. (I completed this step the day prior and boy did it help!)

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8oz Cool Whip until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12oz container of Cool Whip. Repeat layers.

I then sprinkled some brownie crumbs on top as garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving. Again, this is RICH! Totally delicious though...

I'll be back with more later~!