Cocktail Hour Alternative

Skip the cocktail - go straight for the dip! This appetizer is all you will need to lift your spirits without leaving you tipsy.

This recipe was sent to me by my good friend Jennie, who said "this is right up [your] alley!" Jennie knows my love for dirty martinis, and anything food related. I made it this past Labor Day weekend, and it seemed to be a big hit with the family too! I modified the recipe a little bit, so here is what I used:

1- 8oz. Package of Low Fat Cream Cheese
1 Tbsp of Light Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Vodka
6 pieces of Crispy Bacon (I used the microwavable kind)
1/3 Cup Green Olives, chopped (I removed the pimentos)
3-4 Scallions, finely chopped

Mix together in a bowl, and chill until served. If you need it to be more creamy, add a little milk to thin it out. Serve with small pieces of toasted bread or reduced fat Triscuits.

This recipe and photo comes from the Half Assed Kitchen. You can check out her full post here. Thanks for the great recipe!

Ming is Amazing

Ming Makes Cupcakes is such a wonderful site for quick recipes, and I just had to try one for Labor Day weekend!

Here is her recipe, reproduced with her permission, for Key Lime Cupcakes (I made a mini version):

Mini Graham Cupcakes with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

CUPCAKES

1 cup flour

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick butter, room temp.

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup milk

Mix flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt. Beat in butter gradually. Beat in sugar and mix thoroughly. Beat in eggs, then vanilla and milk until just mixed. Pour into lined mini cupcake pan. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, or until toothpick comes out almost clean. With mini cupcakes, sometimes they cook faster, so just watch them!

FROSTING
4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 stick butter, room temp.

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 T key lime juice

Mix together ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Frost cupcakes. Top with a key lime slice and a sprinkle of crumbs.

Ming also makes cookies, like homemade thin mints (my favorite!) and savouries, like cheddar scallion cupcakes with whipped cream cheese. So easy and so delicious!

Hope you have a happy Labor Day Weekend!