Holiday Party

After Christmas we had a few people over to celebrate the holidays, basically, just another excuse for me to cook! Here is a peek at some of the festiveness and a rundown of the menu.

seasoned pork tenderloin slices

hot crab dip

spinach dip (thanks K!)

walnut & parmesan brushetta

mini pigs in a blanket

roasted red pepper savory cheesecake

grapes covered in goat cheese and walnuts

red velvet cupcakes

OREO BALLS!

I have to give these a mention of their own as they seemed to have been the hit of the holiday season. They are so easy, rich, and delicious that they are sure to please even the pickiest child!

Take a pack of Oreos and grind them in your food processor. Add 8oz cream cheese and combine until it forms a ball. Place ball in fridge until set (about half hr max). Melt 8oz white bakers chocolate (I prefer Ghiradelli, and yes, it does make a difference). Roll the Oreo mix into small balls and then roll them into chocolate. Place on cookie sheet in fridge until set.

** Melting chocolate in the microwave takes a little patience. Only heat the chocolate in 30-40 second intervals, stirring in between each interval. 8oz should only take about 90 seconds.

Below I simply hung a few balls from the dining room chandelier, in an effort to take away from the terrible brass fixture (future project). The other idea came from these two, and was certainly a festive way to make water more merry, all you need to do is add a few plain, plastic balls to any type of beverage container.