Here are five great tasting potluck recipes that are easy to make and wonderful ideas for holiday parties.
Crockpot Chili
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 pound top round steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
3 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid
1 cup water
1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, nonstick skillet. Add the beef, onion, and garlic and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
Spoon the beef into a Crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Put the lid on the Crockpot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Mini Pumpkin Tarts
3 packages pre-baked frozen mini pastry shells
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 package cheesecake-flavor instant pudding and pie filling
Allow the frozen pastry shells to thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, whipped topping, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk until smooth. Add the pudding mix and whisk until smooth and thick.
Fill each pastry shell with about 1 tablespoon of the the filling. Top the tarts with whipped topping and serve.
Caramel Apple Cider
Cider
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 cups apple cider
1/2 cup water
Caramel whipped cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon brown sugar
In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the cider and water and raise the heat to medium high, heating just until the cider begins to steam, about 4 minutes
To make the Caramel Whipped Cream: In a small chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with the brown sugar until soft peaks form.
Pour into 4 mugs, topping each one with 2 tablespoons of caramel whipped cream and serve immediately
Easy Ham Casserole
6 medium potatoes, sliced thin
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. ham, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Paprika
In a Crockpot, put 1/2 of the potatoes, then 1/2 of the onion, then 1/2 of the ham and cheese, repeat with rest of the ingredients, making a layer effect.
Spread the soup over top. Sprinkle with the paprika
Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach
10 oz. frozen spinach, chopped and drained
1 lb. ricotta cheese
3 eggs, well beaten
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/3 cup chopped parsley
Salt
Pepper
3 cups tomato sauce
1 lb. ziti, cooked and drained
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook the spinach with a small amount of water until it heats through. Drain and press out any excess moisture.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and 2 1/2 cups of the tomato sauce. Whip the mixture until it becomes fluffy, and then add the cooked ziti. Spread the remaining tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and cover with the pasta mixture.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
