Football Finger Food-Go Packers

We are settling in for football with close friends, and we all need to graze. I think we will have Bruschetta, Cheese Fondue, and a couple of sweet favorites.  

Bruschetta

1 loaf of bakery french or baguette sliced
4 on the vine tomatoes chopped (with juice in a mixing bowl)
1/2 tsp minced garlic
6 large fresh basil leaves (I like to cut with shears rather than chop)
1 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
EVOO
Mix tomatoes, garlic, basil, and 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese, and drizzle with olive oil. Place bread slices on a cookie sheet and place in 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Top the bread with tomatoe mixture, and sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Place back in oven for an additional 5-8 minutes.

I tried a new cheese fondue recipe recently when we had our favorite gang over. I got the recipe in one of those little books you see in the checkout line of the grocery store.  It was simple and delicious, and a huge hit with the adults as well as the kiddies. Who doesn't like cheese, and who doesn't like to dip. The surprising thing about this recipe were the indgredients, check it out...

Cheese Fondue

1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 small container of french onion chip dip (seriously)
2 cups of shredded cheddar
Combine all ingredients in small crock pot and cook on low until melted through. I served this with cubed crusty bread, and cut up veggies. We had broccoli, carrots, and fresh green beans. My son loves blanched green beans with dip and to my surprise, so does everyone else they were the first to vanish.

Next we need some sweets. Chocolate cheese dip is a staple at all of our family gatherings, the question is never what, but who is bringing the cheese dip. This is really yummy, and reminiscent of chocolate chip cookie dough. Serve with chocolate graham sticks, or crackers.

Chocolate Cheese Dip

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup powderd sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Beat cream cheese and butter, add vanilla and sugars. Stir in chocolate chips and refrigerate, or just grab a spoon and dig in.

After all that still need a little something, try these peanut butter cookies with only three indgredients. After I started making these, my family doesn't like the old fashioned kind anymore, these are definitely more flavorful.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup of peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
Mix all together and drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet, bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Let cool enough to pick one or 3 up....eat