Cheesy Tuna Rice Muffins

Cheesy Tuna Rice Muffins
with Lemon Butter Sauce

I don'tthink there's anyone on this planet who could love tuna more than I do! I love it any way I can get it. 

Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna Quiche

Tuna Melts

And one of my all time favorites is Tuna Rice Muffins! I found this tastey recipe in a Workbasket magazine way back in the 1970's. That small magazine had mostly knit and crochet patterns in it, as well as a few other crafts, but it also had several recipes in it that readers sent in. The first time I tried this recipe in the 1970's, I instantly fell in love with them and the lemon/buttery sauce you pour over them is what makes them one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. By the way, I love black olives too. These muffins are a pretty quick meal to make along with a vegetable, such as corn or broccoli on the side. I hope you like this recipe!

Cheesy Tuna Rice Muffins (with buttery lemon sauce)

Ingredients

Tuna Muffins

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can 6.5oz tuna, drained
• 1-1½ Tablespoon sweet onion or green onions, chopped
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 3 eggs beaten
• 2 Tablespoon milk
• 3/4 cup sliced olives 

Lemon Butter Sauce

• ¼ butter, melted
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/8 teaspoon parsley flakes
• Note: you may want to make more of this sauce because in my opinion, it's what makes it! Somertimes I double it.
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Preheat oven to 375º (400 in my oven) . Mix first 9 ingredients in a bowl. Spray muffin pan (or pie plate if you want to make it into a crustless quiche). Fill each muffin cup to the edge. I get 7 muffins when I make this. Bake in oven 15-30 minutes till they are firm and starting to brown a little on top. Let cool and pour lemon sauce on individual muffins. If the butter sauce has congealed, that's ok. Just put about ½ tsp (or more) on top. Enjoy!

Pimento Cheese Spread for Sandwiches

Southern Pimento Cheese
For Sandwiches

This is another one of those recipes I grew up eating in the south and I absolutely love it! I have never, ever seen anyone bring Pimento Cheese Sandwiches to a gathering of any kind here in Ohio in the 40+ years I have lived here. I am the only one who has fixed it and nobody even knows what it is!

I discovered several years ago that there is a brand called Prices that my grocery store, Kroger,  sells and it's actually pretty good. I even found pimento cheese spread at Aldi recently and it was just as good as the Prices brand. But homemade is much better. I was looking for recipes on Pinterest and many of them added all kinds of spices, but I just love the simple pimento cheese spread my mama fixed. And btw, my mama never used sugar in hers, but I like it in this spread.

Can you tell I miss the south? I do fix southern food at home all the time, but sometimes I feel lonely when many people up here don't even know what grits, okra, black eyed peas, hoe cakes, red beans and rice or pimento cheese is. And of course, these are only a few of the southern foods I love.

Pimento Cheese Spread -
 great as a dip or spread
 on crackers for your
 holiday party! Delicious!

      

This recipe makes enough spread for about 12 whole sandwiches. What I'm showing above in the small container was what was left over after making 9 sandwiches. You  can also use it as a dip or spread on crackers.

INGREDIENTS - makes
9-12 sandwiches

2 cups Colby cheese, grated (it's better if you buy the chunk and grate it yourself, otherwise it will be too dry because of the flour or corn starch they coat it with)

1 cup original Velveeta cheese, grated

1 - 4 oz jar, diced pimentos, undrained (Note: this is the larger of the small glass jars you will find in the aisle with canned vegetables at Kroger. The pimentos (in the glass jar) are usually on the top shelf, near the canned mushrooms

Update: OR

You could use roasted red peppers that come in a jar. 8/12/20 - I used these roasted red peppers, (see picture below) because I didn't have the pimentos, and I couldn't tell any difference in the taste. I think I got this jar of peppers (below) at Big Lots when I was there a couple of weeks ago.

½ cup (or more) Hellman's mayonnaise or Dukes GF mayo, (more or less - sorry I didnt measure it!)

6 oz cream cheese, softened

2 - 3 teaspoons sugar or to taste

Optional: 1-2 tablespoons grated sweet Vidalia onion. I like it better without onion but sometimes it's nice for a change.

Mix all ingredients together and spread on bread for sandwiches to serve immediately, or you can put it in a container and place in the refrigerate for later.

I hope you enjoy this!

Roasted Red Peppers can be used
instead of pimentos.
 They are the same!

Jalapeno Popper Cheese and Corn Dip - Gluten Free

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•  I took this dip to my granddaughter's birthday party, knowing there would be several adults there too. Well, actually, I forgot I had told my daughter I would bring something and since I didn't have time to go to the grocery store, I scrounged around in my kitchen looking through ingredients for something simple to make. I knew I wanted to make an appetizer to go with the pizza she was ordering, but also did not want to bring anything sweet. I hurridly looked on Pinterest for something gluten free since I am wheat intolerant. Wheat acts like a sedative on me and that wouldn't be good for me while driving back home. I am also dairy intolerant, but as you can see, this dip is not dairy free. It's really difficult to find wheat AND dairy free recipes! 

Several of the adults at the party liked this dip and asked for the recipe, so here it is! I looked at several dips on Pinterest and used some ingredients from each one to come up with my own version. If you are intrested in seeing the other great recipes for Jalapeno Popper Dip (and other cheese dips), see the links below my recipe. Hope you like my version!

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• Ingredients
• 3-4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (save 1 slice for the topping - see below). You could use Bacon Bits
• 1- 8 oz package cream cheese , softened
• 1/2 cup Hellman's Mayonnaise
• 1/2 - 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarrela cheese (I used half Gouda cheese and half mozzarella, because I didn't have enough mozz)
• 2 cups frozen sweet corn, thawed in the microwave about 2 minutes. (You can use fresh or canned corn)
• 1/2 of a 4 oz. can Chopped Green Chilis (freeze other half for another dish or more dip later)
• 1-2 Tablespoons jalapenos from a jar, diced, omiting seeds. I only used about 1 Tb, but next time I'll use more. 
• Note: you could use fresh jalapeno peppers
• 1 Tablespoon sweet, green pepper, chopped fine
• 1 Tablespoon sweet yelloe or red pepper (I used yellow)
• 1 Tablespoon sweet Vidalia onion or green onions, finely diced 
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• Topping

1/2  cup mozzarrella cheese (I used Gouda, but think mozz would be better)

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled

Few dashes of parsley

Serve with Crackers or Chips

Turn on oven to 350. 

Cook bacon. I usually cook my bacon in the oven, but this time I cooked it in the microwave between paper towels, since there wasn't much. 

While bacon is cooking, combine the next 12 ingredients in a bowl. Add crumbled bacon  to mixture and place in small casserole, oven safe dish. 

Spread Topping ingredients on top of cheese dip, and cook in 350 oven for 20-25 minutes.

Serve with crackers or chips!

Other Ch Dips on Pinterest

Jalapeno Popper Dip
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/jalapeo-popper-dip/
Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Dip
https://www.thechunkychef.com/cheesy-bacon-jalapeno-popper-dip/
Cold Corn Dip
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cold-corn-dip-209831.aspx?cm_mmc=Social-_-Pinterest-_-CPC-_-ColdCornDip&pp=1
Fiesta Corn Dip
https://hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2013/09/fiesta-corn-dip.html
Creamy Bacon Parmesan Dip
https://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2013/09/06/creamy-bacon-parmesan-dip/
Creamy BLT Dip
http://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2016/05/blt-dip.html
Famous Neiman Marcus Dip
http://www.justaspoonfulof.com/2012/05/neiman-marcus-dip.html
Skinny Poolside  DIP
http://www.cleverhousewife.com/2012/06/skinny-poolside-dip/2/
Hot Cheezy Spinach Artichoke Dip
http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/12/hot-cheesy-spinach-artichoke-dip.html
Cheezy Bacon Ranch Dip
https://deliciouslysprinkled.com/cheesy-bacon-ranch-dip/
Hot Crab Dip
https://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/hot-crab-dip-recipe/
Jalapeno Popper Football Shaped Cheese Ball
https://peasandcrayons.com/2016/09/jalapeno-popper-football-cheese-ball.html

Chicken Curry Cheese Ball - Recipe

With the holidays approaching, it's always nice to find new or unique recipes for those gatherings with friends and family. If you have a love for curry dishes, you'll probably like this cheese ball. My mother in law gave me this quick and easy recipe years ago, because she knew I've loved curry since I was 5 years old, when my family was living in the Philippines as missionaries. A little old lady in the church, we called "Auntie", paid for our family to eat out at the Bayot Hotel in Zamboanga City every Sunday. We ate Chicken, Curry and Rice with all the trimmings every time we'd go there. This was really special for us because our family of 7 rarely ever got to eat out.   Even after we left the Philippines (when I was 9) my mom continued to make this dish at home. I did the same while my kids were growing up and they really loved it too. I've always noticed that people either love curry or they hate it. Most people I know love it.    After my son married his Romanian wife, Anca, she called me up one day asking if I'd come over and show her how to make Chicken, Curry and Rice, which has always been Brian's favorite dish. She wanted to surprise him. I figured Anca would not like this dish because when she came here from Romania, she was picky about some things and it took her a while to acquire a taste for American food. Of course it's not an American dish, but much to my surprise, she loved the curry dish and now their son and daughter love it too!    I have posted my easy recipe for Chicken Curry and Rice here, and in the meantime I hope you enjoy the Chicken Curry Cheese Ball. By the way, I have made it both ways (with canned chicken and fresh cooked chicken) but either way is great!   Chicken Curry Cheese Ball  

Chicken Curry Cheese Ball

    1 cup cooked chicken (finely chopped) or 1 large can cooked chicken (or two - 5 - 6 oz. cans) OR you can use rotisserie or boil your own from fresh..

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

• 3/4 - 1 cup toasted almonds (chopped) I buy them and toast them myself in the oven OR you can use chopped peanuts
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• 1/3 cup Hellman's mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
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• 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder (or to taste) I like a lot! Be careful! You may not like as much curry as I do, so add it gradually, tasting it to your taste.
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• 1 - 2 Tbs apricot 
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• Flaked coconut (to roll the cheese ball in)
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• Chopped green onions (optional)
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• Mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl. If you want the green onions in it, do that now. Chill for several hours or overnight. Form into a ball (or log) and roll in coconut. Serve with crackers. 
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Snowman Cheese Ball Recipe-Crochet Scarf-Free Pattern!

It's that time of year when we're all looking for new recipes for holiday parties, so I want to share my Snowman Cheese Ball recipe with you. I made a little crochet scarf for him to wear and am posting the EASY pattern. Wouldn't your crochet group think this is the cutest appetizer?

Snowman Cheese Ball
Free Crochet Scarf Pattern. Can also be used for a doll!

Snowman Cheese Ball
Makes 16 servings—2 TB each. I doubled this recipe for the one in the photo.
1 container (8 oz) Cream Cheese)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives or green onions
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Ground cayenne red pepper to taste
1/4 cup 100% grated Parmesan Cheese
Peppercorns or whole allspice for eyes, mouth and buttons
1 baby carrot for nose (I had to cut it down)
2 stick pretzels for arms

1. Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives(or green onions) toasted almonds and red pepper untill well blended; cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or overnight
2. Divide mixture into 3 different sized balls (1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large) Coat with Parmesan cheese. Arrange on serving platter in a line to resemble a snowman lying down. Decorate with peppercorns or allspice for eyes, mouth and buttons. Add carrot for the nose. (Note: you could also use raisins or cranberries (cut up) for the buttons, eyes etc).
Place pretzels on snowman for arms
3. Serve with crackers.

(Crochet instructions at bottom of page.)

  Tip: Crochet a little scarf to tie around snowman's neck or cut out a scarf with felt and cut ends for fringe. You can even buy a little black hat at most craft stores.

To make snowman's crochet scarf:
Row 1: With worsted wt yarn and a G or H hook, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, ch 1 turn - 2 sc
Row 2 - ???? -Sc in 1st 2 sc, ch 1, turn - 2 sc
Add fringe to ends of scarf
Sorry, I don't remember how many rows I did. I gave the scarf to my grandaughter for her dolls after we ate the snowman!