Appetizers/Dips/ and Drinks

Appetizers are great for parties, games, or just fun nights with the family. I have come up with a few myself and have some family favorites.

DIPS:

BBQ Cheeseball (I made this one up and do this to taste I do measurements just for an idea of how much to use)

1 package cream cheese (generic really works!)
1tsp garlic salt (California with parsley flakes is the best!)
1T BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays, best ever!)
1 T liquid smoke (worth the buy it's in a ton of my recipes)
1/4 c shredded cheese (cheddar is best)
Mix together and serve with crackers. Chicken in a Biscuit and Wheat Thins are best with this, but any crackers work. You can leave this in the bowl and not form it and roll it in almonds, I never do, plus it's easier to transport just in the bowl like a dip.

Chili Sauce and Cream Cheese Dip (mom taught me this)

1 pkg cream cheese
1 bottle chili sauce
1 can baby shrimp (optional)
 Spread cheese flat onto a plate, and then dump as much chili sauce as needed. Top with shrimp if you'd like. Serve with Wheat thins and/or other crackers.

Finger Food Type Appetizers:

Ham & Pickle Roll ups (learned from Gary)

Cream Cheese
Pickles
Deli sliced ham
Spread Cream cheese on ham, roll a pickle in it and serve. Can be cut like pin wheels if you'd like. (Surprisingly good!)

Ramaki/Chesty Bacons (Jess and I got that name somehow for them, that explains all)

Water Chestnuts
Bacon
Cut bacon into half slices and roll 2-3 sliced water chestnuts and put a tooth pick in it to hold it together. Take a cake pan and put them in it to bake. Bake @ 350 until bacon is done (around 30 min). Mix 1 cup ketchup and 1/4 cup brown sugar (or more of each if needed and do this to taste) together and put over cooked Ramaki. Put back in over for about 5 min.

(MORE TO COME!)