Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

When you get to half time, you may want to serve something sweet. These cookies will have everyone screaming for more.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cup(s) peanut butter
• 1 cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp. water
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 3/4 cup(s) all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat peanut butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy. Beat in egg, water and almond extract until blended. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Beat until evenly moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly in criss-cross pattern with fork.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before moving to rack to cool completely.

Bacon-Wrapped Sausages

There is nothing better than pork and more pork.

INGREDIENTS

• 45 Hillshire Farm® Lit'l Smokies®
• 15 thick-sliced bacon strips, cut into thirds
• 3/4 cup(s) light brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place rack in center of oven.
2. Wrap each sausage with a piece of bacon; secure with a toothpick. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until bacon is browned and brown sugar melts and forms a sauce.

NOTES

Remove carefully from baking sheet. Use toothpicks for guest to pick up and enjoy. You can serve them with a spicy mustard. 

Sausage Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lbs smoked sausage
• 8 large flour tortillas
• 16 processed cheese single
• 1 jar of salsa or use salsa recipe

DIRECTIONS

1. Slice smoked sausage and cook in preheated non-stick skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove sausage from pan.
2. Place tortilla in pan and fill one side with two slices of processed cheese single and 8 pieces of the sliced sausage. Cook open for 1 to 2 minutes then fold tortilla in half and flip.
3. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from pan and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. Cut into 4 wedges and serve with 1 teaspoon of salsa on top.

Quick & Easy Salsa

If you are like me, you enjoy a lot of salsa on your chips. Here is easy salsa. The great thing about this recipe is that you can use it as a base and as much heat to it as you want.

You can add jalapenos or chipotle peppers. The heat and smokiness from the chipotle peppers are a good addition to this recipe. You can also add diced onions to the recipe to give it a chunky texture.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cup(s) (14.5 oz. ea.) diced tomatoes
• 3 Tbsp. dried cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Place all the ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend until desired consistency is reached.

Quick and Easy Ribs

If you are looking for a quick game day meal, try serving some pork spareribs. This recipe is quick and easy.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package spareribs (2 ribs)
• 1 bottle of beer (any type)
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. fresh cracked pepper
• 1 navel orange, sliced
• 1 cup(s) BBQ sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place ribs on a foiled shallow baking tray.
2. Rub with salt, pepper and garlic, and place sliced oranges on top of ribs.
3. Pour beer on bottom of the baking tray and cover tightly with foil.
4. Bake in the oven for 1 1/2 hours.
5. Uncover and baste with BBQ sauce, and then bake an additional 10 minutes.

Veggie Snack Platter

With Super Bowl XLVII coming up quickly, you will need to do some planning to feed your team. Over the next couple of weeks, I will posting recipes to help you with the game day festivities.


INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup(s) Ranch Dressing
• 1 cup(s) baby carrots
• 1 cup(s) celery sticks
• 1 cup(s) sliced mini bell peppers
• 1 cup(s) sliced cucumber
• 1 cup(s) broccoli florets
• 1 cup(s) cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup(s) olives
• Fresh herbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Place dressing in a decorative bowl.
2. Arrange each veggie separately on a large cutting board or a large platter. Garnish platter with the fresh herbs and olives.

NOTES

You can prepare this platter a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator.

Llano Estacado Winery Tasting - Tomball, Texas

Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tomball, Texas

The Empty Glass
104 Market Street
Tomball, Texas 77375
832-698-4722

Cost: $5-10 Wine Tasting


The simple mission of Llano Estacado, from its beginning in 1976, to its role as industry leader today, has been to embody the fabulous potential of Texas wine. This mission began with 1,300 cases of wine releases in 1977. Today, Llano Estacado is the largest, best selling Premium Winery in Texas, producing wines of World Class Quality, and has been an ongoing pioneer in introducing not just Texans, but also the entire world to the great wines made in the Lone Star State.

Come taste through at least 7 of these fabulous Texas wines with us!

Click here for more information.

Uptown Swirl - Brenham, Texas

Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Brenham, Texas

Downtown Brenham
100 E. Alamo Street
Brenham, Texas 77833
979-337-7384

Cost: $30

Come sip and swirl with us!  Buy a keepsake wine glass and taste wines from around the world while strolling through quant shops in this beautiful National Register District. A wonderful start to the New Year that makes a great gift, too!

Click here for more information.

CrossRoads Winery 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off - Frisco, Texas

Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Frisco, Texas

CrossRoads Winery
15222 King Rd.
Frisco, Texas 75034
972-294-4144

Cost: $25 General Admission, $50 Reserved Seating

CrossRoads Winery has great, fun events and this one is sure to please the hungry and thirsty wine lover.

LIVE Music by The Jack Grimm Band
      Blind Auction   Lots of Fun!

People’s Choice & Judge’s Choice Awards given so come vote!

General Admission $25 includes
People’s Choice Chili Tasting, 2 glasses of wine and entertainment

Reserved Seating $50 includes
People’s Choice Chili Tasting & a bottle of CRW wine with a reserved seat, and entertainment. Available for purchase in advance only.

Entries and Tickets available on CrossRoads Winery website,  at the winery or thru Prosperity Place.  

www.crwineryfrisco.com

The Cody Riley Band @ Texas Roads Winery & Roadhouse - Canton, Texas

Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Canton, Texas

Texas Roads Winery & Roadhouse
134 W. Dallas St ( big water tower is behind us)
Canton, Texas 75103
903-567-6801

Cost: $15 @ door or $12 online www.outhousetickets.com

Singer-songwriter Cody Riley has lived a long life as an artist to be only 21 years old. He started playing guitar at age five, wrote his first lyrics at seven, and played in his first band at eight. Cody played bass guitar when he was eight years old for his older brother Chris, then played rhythm and vocals in a duet group with Chris for The CCRiley Band. Now, Cody is the front man for The Cody Riley Band. Cody's musical ability will make you want to move to the music, while his lyrics will leave you wondering just how a 20 year old writes with the wisdom of an artist three times his age. His first E.P. release in August of 2007 was just another stepping stone to the top. With producer Rodney Pyeatt stepping in to lend a hand on lead guitar as well, it was bound to be a success. Following the release of that E.P., SHORT BUS, Riley and his band hit the road playing over 150 shows on his first tour. Soon After the success of the first full CD, "Everything In Color" Riley had made a sure enough name for his self by age 15. The dedication paid off in 2008 making the Cody Riley Band the Rising Star of the year for the Texas Music Association, also Rodney Pyeatt walking away with 2 more nominations in Producer of the Year and Musician of the Year for his work on Cody's "Everything In Color" CD. Riley released his latest CD "Small Town RockStars" in late 2010 making Riley one of the hottest singer song writers to come out of East Texas.

Click here for more information.

5th Annual KNCT Wine Classic - Killeen, Texas

Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Killeen, Texas

Killeen Civic & Congerence Center
3601 S. WS Young Drive
Killeen, Texas 76540
877-533-5628 (toll free)

Cost: $60


Join us for the 5th Annual KNCT Wine Classic!  Guests can sample an array of domestic and imported wines from a complimentary KNCT wine glass and enjoy a delectable assortment of appetizers perfect for pairing with wine.

Enjoy wines from around the world and from our local Texas vineyards.

This is an annual fundraising event that includes a fabulous silent auction.

Click here for more information.

Fantasy Friday Anniversary Celebration - Finale - Dallas, Texas

Friday, January 18, 2013 from 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Dallas, Texas

Winetastic
4140 Lemmon Ave Suite 130
Dallas, Texas 75219
214-559-8910

Cost: Varies per glass

It's been 1 year since we began Fantasy Friday. To celebrate the Anniversary we will be pouring a special Fantasy Friday Wine Every Day of the Week beginning Friday 1/11/13 through Friday 1/18/13. Stop in daily to see what special wine we have open during Fantasy Friday Week! What is Fantasy Friday? Have you ever wondered what those pricey $200 - $300 bottles of wine on a wine list at a restaurant taste like? Well now's your chance. Try the latest trend "wine without the expense". Every Friday and Friday's only, we will feature one "limited" wine that is over $100 at a restaurant to pour by the glass at a special price. Intrigued? Only at WineTastic!

Click here for more information.

CrossRoads Winery Frisco Live Music Fridays - Frisco, Texas

Friday, January 18, 2013 from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Frisco, Texas

CrossRoads Winery

15222 King Rd.

Frisco, Texas 75034

972-294-4144

Cost: No Cover

CrossRoads Winery is a "grape to glass" winery in northwest Frisco.  We currently feature 14 wines on our menu and great music every Friday night that starts around 7:30pm.  Happy hour starts at 5:00 and we close at 11pm.  This Friday’s feature: the TuTones

Reservations@CRwineryFrisco.com  Must be 21 or older.  No Children.

We are also open Saturday and Sunday for tastings from 1-6pm.

We rent out our space for your events the rest of the week. Check out our website for directions and loads of more information and Special Events. www.CRwineryFrisco.com