Two of My Favorite Appetizers

December is the month of holiday parties, gatherings of friends and family.

Here are two of my favorite appetizers to take along to these gatherings - Texas Caviar and Artichoke Dip. I hope you'll forgive the lack of pics - I haven't made them yet.

Artichoke Dip
--imagine a creamy white bubbly cheese dish. you can do it!
1 package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
4 oz mozzarella or monterey jack cheese (I always add more...more is better)
1 can artichoke hearts (I like the quartered artichoke hearts)
dash garlic powder
--drain & chop artichoke hearts

350 degree oven, bake 20-25 minutes. Stir once halfway through.

And it's seriously that easy!! Serve with bagel chips, corn chips, melba toast, or whatever you like. Fritos scoops is one of my favorites.

Texas Caviar
ok, it's not really caviar. But it is GOOD. It requires opening & draining cans, and chopping some veggies.

You can handle that, right?
Ok - here's the can list. 1 can each of:
black eyed peas
black eyed peas with jalepeno (if you can't find this, use the regular BEP, and finely chop a jalepeno)
white homini
diced tomatos
Rotel

The veggies:
--2 cloves garlic (is garlic a veg? hmm...)
--1 medium bell pepper - chopped
--1 and 1/4 cup chopped onion
--1 and 1/4 cup chopped parsley (use cilantro if you prefer)

and 8 oz italian dressing

--drain all the cans, throw into a big bowl with the veggies and dressing.
--chill 2 hours (let those flavors mingle and get happy!)

Enjoy your new day!