2. Loaded Taco Bites





                   5 ingredients – Approximately 42 Taco Bites

                                   1 package of Won Ton wrappers (in the produce) or 1 package of tortilla scoops

                                   1 lb. ground meat of your choice

                                   1 taco seasoning packet

                                   1 can black beans, drained, rinsed, and chopped

                                   3/4 cup shredded cheese

                                   Toppings of your choice: finely shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion,

                                             sour cream, sliced olives, avocado, and jalapenos (for the more daring)

                     Preheat oven to 350 degrees

                     If using Won Ton wrappers: coat a nonstick muffin pan with cooking spray. Gently press

                                   one wrapper into each muffin cup.

                     If using tortilla scoops: layer chips on a baking pan.

Brown your meat and add seasoning packet and cook as directed

Stir the chopped black beans in with the meat

Fill each cup with meat and bean mixture

Sprinkle with cheese

Bake for 8 minutes

Remove from oven, sprinkle with your toppings, and enjoy!

    3. Creamy Spinach Bites




                   8 ingredients – Vegetarian

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. shredded monterey jack cheese

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 yellow onion, finely diced

10 oz. package frozen spinach – thawed and drained

1 box of puff pastry sheets

1 egg

1 tbsp. water

                   Preheat oven to 400 degrees

                   Combine the egg and water in a small bowl, beat until well mixed

                   Combine softened cream cheese, monterey jack cheese, garlic powder, and onion in a

bowl and mix well

                   Add spinach into the cream cheese mixture and stir

                   Unroll puff pastry sheets and brush both sides with the egg and water mixture

                   Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over one side of the puff pastry

                   Roll up the puff pastry and slice

                   Place rolls on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the puff pastries

turn a golden color

Serve and enjoy!

     4. Pear & Brie Crostini with Thyme & Balsamic




                   
                   6 ingredients – Vegetarian – Serves 4

                1 pear, sliced 1/3

                8 sprigs of fresh thyme

                Balsamic glaze

                Olive oil

      8 slices of baguette

                20 ¼ inch slices of brie cheese

Preheat grill to medium heat

Drizzle one side of baguette slices with olive oil

Place oiled side down on grill

Toast until crisp and golden brown

Remove to a plate, toasted side up

Add one slice of pear and one slice of brie

Top with a thyme sprig

Drizzle with balsamic glaze

Serve and enjoy!

      5. Deviled Strawberry Bites

                    

                   8 ingredients – Vegetarian

18-24 large strawberries

          8 oz. package of cream cheese

                              1 cup heavy whipping cream

                              1/3 cup sour cream

                              2/3 cup white granulated sugar

                              1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

                              1 tsp. vanilla extract

                              1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (optional)

                   Prep strawberries by cutting off the stems and slicing in half

                   Cut a small sliver off the back so that they lay flat

                   Use a small melon baller to carefully hollow out the middle (just enough that the cream

cheese filling will not fall off)

                   Place softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a

medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth

                   In a different medium bowl, beat the whipping cream until still peaks form (about 5

minutes)

                   Mix the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture

                   Fill a piping bag with the cream cheese mixture (can use a star tip) and pipe onto each

                             sliced strawberry

                   Finish with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs

                   Serve and enjoy!