For my wedding last year we had a heavy Hor-dourves meal. That seems to be really popular these days. It included pieces of chicken on skewers, meatballs in sauce that people ate with toothpics, foccacia, and fruit and veggie trays with a variety of dips. One fruit dip I make that goes over well is really simple: a tub of Cool-Whip and a tub of fruit-flavored yogurt. One thing that always seems to be a hit is a piece of melon with proscuitto wrapped around it. For some reason that taste combo sits well with people. I've made an easy cake for parties that is esp. popular for kids. All I do is make a one-layer cake, frost it with chocolate frosting, arrange chocolate chips on the top, and arrange twinkies concentrically around it to where it looks like a sunflower. Does that make sense? If you click on the link at the end of this post and scroll down you'll see a picture. I went through my recipes and here's what I found: this recipe is meant to be low-fat (which some people might like), but I'm sure you can use regular ingredients, too. I thought you might like it because it's more elegant than some hot bean dips: Hot Black Bean Dip 1 can (16 oz) fat-free refried black or pinto beans 1 c (8 oz) reduced fat sour cream 1 c. salsa ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper ½ c.(2 oz) shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese cumin, to taste Preheat oven to 325˚. Combine all ingredients except cheese in a 3-4 cup shallow baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. Serve with fresh cut vegetables. This pumpkin dip recipe is so good, and very easy. It's great if you don't want a dessert that is too heavy, and it lends itself well to a buffet-style meal. HARVEST PUMPKIN DIP INGREDIENTS 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Apple and pear slices, graham crackers (sticks work esp. well) SERVINGS 28 PREP 10 min. TOTAL 10 min. DIRECTIONS In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Gradually add the pumpkin, pie spice, vanilla and ginger; beat until smooth. Serve with fruit. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 3-1/2 cups. This recipe is also great for a crowd because people can just grab them and go! Cheddar Chili Cups Chili Cups Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) cans vegetarian chili 1/2 cup sliced green onions 6 (4-inch) hard round dinner rolls Toppings Ingredients: 6 slices (1/2 ounce each) LAND O LAKES® Cheddar Cheese 1/3 cup LAND O LAKES® Sour Cream 2 ounces (1/2 cup) LAND O LAKES® Cheddar Cheese, shredded Cherry tomatoes, if desired 1. Combine chili and green onions in 2-quart saucepan. Cover; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through (3 to 5 minutes). 2. Meanwhile, hollow out rolls with serrated knife, leaving 1-inch shell. Place 1 slice cheese in bottom of each roll; fill with 1/2 cup hot chili. 3. Top each with 2 teaspoons sour cream; sprinkle with shredded cheese. Serve with cherry tomatoes, if desired. Makes 6 servings. Well, that's my 2 cents. Hope this helps, and good luck!

While I use cilantro in Mexican dishes, I also use it in Asian dishes. Here's a couple that my family enjoys. Becky * Exported from MasterCook * Asian Coleslaw Recipe By : Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 6 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 6 tablespoons vegetable oil 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (I used chunky) 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root (I use the micoplane grater) 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (I use a garlic press) 5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage 2 cups shredded napa cabbage 2 red bell peppers -- thinly sliced 2 carrots -- julienned 6 green onions -- chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro roasted peanuts -- optional 1 In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. 2 In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, napa cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, green onions, and cilantro. Toss with the peanut butter mixture just before serving. Source: "www.allrecipes.com" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : This is really good with chopped cooked chicken added. To make it really fast you can use bagged coleslaw mix. Don't mix it until right before you serve it - it wilts quickly. The dressing can be prepared a day or two ahead and kept in the fridge. * Exported from MasterCook * Thai Chicken Sate with Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe By : Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 4 Boneless skinless chicken breast halves 2 tablespoons Orange juice 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon Sesame oil 1 large clove garlic -- minced SPICY PEANUT SAUCE 2 tablespoons Finely chopped fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons Warm water 3 tablespoons Chunky peanut butter 1 teaspoon Brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce Cut each chicken breast half into 8 cubes. Thread 4 cubes onto each of 8 skewers. Place in an ungreased shallow dish or 13X9" baking dish. Combine orange juice, soy sauce, oil and garlic; mix well. Pour over chicken; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes, turning once. Combine sauce ingredients and set aside. Line broiler pan with foil; broil chicken 4-6" from heat 6-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning once. Serve immediately with sauce. If desired, longer skewers can be used. Alternate chicken with cut up vegetables such as red or green peppers and mushrooms. Marinate and broil as directed above. Source: "http://www.hugs.org/Thai_Chicken_Sate_with_Spicy_Peanut_Sauce.shtml" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * Exported from MasterCook * SWEET & SOUR CUCUMBER RELISH (TAENG KWA BRIO Recipe By : Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 2 large Cucumbers -- peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced thinly 1 small Red onion -- peeled, halved and sliced thinly 1/2 teaspoon Dried red chili flakes (or more, to taste) 4 tablespoons Granulated sugar 1/2 cup Water 5 tablespoons rice vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Salt chopped cilantro -- to taste Toss the cucumber, onion and chili flakes together in a bowl. In a small saucepan, over low heat, dissolve the sugar in the water. Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar and salt. Pour this mixture over the veggies. Stir and refrigerate until served. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Baked Vegetables with Basil Butter 6 cups mixed sliced vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, capsicum, beans, zucchini, broccoli etc) 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves or 2 tablespoons dried basil 2 tablespoons parsley pinch nutmeg Put vegetables through a processor until fluffy. Cut 6 pieces foil about 30cm square. Place vegetables evenly on each piece and top each with 1 1/2 tablespoons basil butter. Carefully bring up edges of foil and fold into packets securely, but leaving a little air space inside. Bake at 180C for 20 minutes until tender. Basil Beer Bread 3 cups self raising flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves 1 1/2 cups warm beer Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine flour and sugar, stir in the basil, then the beer. Mix thoroughly, then pour into a well-greased loaf tin. Bake until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Turn out and cool on a wire rack. Slice thinly to serve. It is delicious toasted. Chicken with Basil Sauce 4 kg chicken fillets 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 125g bacon, chopped 90g butter 2 garlic cloves 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard Preheat oven to 190°C. Combine breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley. Saute bacon and drain on absorbent paper. Add the bacon to the breadcrumb mix. This is the crumb topping for the chicken. In a pan, melt the butter, then add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Mix and heat through. Coat the chicken fillets with the butter mixture by dipping them in the saucepan. Arrange in a shallow, ovenproof dish. Press the bread crumb mixture on top of the chicken pieces. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Basil Sauce: 1/2 cup oil 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 garlic clove, crushed 1/2 cup cream 1 egg yolk 1 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped Combine all ingredients except the egg yolk. Stir until heated and then add the egg yolk, stirring until thickened. Do not boil. Pour the hot sauce over the chicken pieces just before serving. Tomato Basil Lasagna 300g no-cook lasagne noodles 2 tablespoons olive oil 500g shredded mozzarella cheese 400g tin chopped tomatoes, drained well 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs olive oil Preheat oven to 200°C. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Meanwhile, combine the mozzarella, drained tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and 2/3 cups of the grated Parmesan. Cook several noodles at a time, cooking for 2 minutes. Drain well. Coat the bottom of a glass baking dish with olive oil. Line the bottom of the pan with noodles and cover with a layer of the mozzarella mixture. Repeat layers until all noodles and filling are used, ending with a layer of pasta. Sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and a light drizzle of olive oil. Bake, uncovered for 20 minutes, until bubbly and top is golden. Allow to sit 10 minutes before serving. Tomato Basil Relish 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil 1/3 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 or 5 ripe tomatoes Chop the basil finely. Core and dice the tomatoes. Mix together basil, juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and tomatoes in bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with grilled chicken, or grilled vegetables. Basil Dressing 1/2 cup plain yoghurt 3 tablespoons cottage cheese 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh basil 1 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon herb vinegar salt and black pepper, to taste Place all ingredients except salt and pepper into a blender and puree until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Basil and Tomato Sauce for Pasta 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 500g tinned chopped tomatoes 240ml water 2 tablespoons sweet sherry 2 tablespoons chopped basil 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 1 teaspoon sugar salt and pepper Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and garlic and saute until soft, stirring from time to time. Add the tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, pepper and sherry, bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened. Add the herbs, mix well and serve immediately. Basil Cream Sauce for Pasta 2 cups fresh basil leaves 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup olive oil 60g pine nuts 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste 600ml light cream In a food processor, combine basil and garlic. Begin processing, and pour in olive oil in a thin stream. Process for about 40 seconds, or until mixture begins to emulsify. Add pine nuts and Parmesan, then blend for 1 minute. Heat cream in a saucepan over low heat until simmering. Pour half the hot cream into the processor with basil pesto, and pulse for 20 seconds to incorporate. Pour mixture back into cream, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Serve over pasta.

I don't use the honey or cinnamon in this recipe. It's really good and since I love the "relish" I always double the amounts. Sweet Potato-Coconut Soup with Spicy Relish Spicy Relish: 1 T canola oil 1 T unsalted butter Pinch of red pepper flakes ý small sweet potato, peeled & cut into a small dice Salt and fresh black pepper ü cup finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley Heat oil & butter over medium heat. Add red-pepper flakes; heat for 10 seconds. Add diced sweet potato, salt & pepper. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until softened, 15 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high & cook until diced potatoes are golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the parsley. (I like diced potato to get a bit crunch). Soup: 1-1/2 T canola oil 1 small red onion, chopped 2â piece of fresh ginger, grated Pinch of red pepper flakes 3 cups chicken broth ý cup water 1-1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into a large dice 1-1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (light version if you prefer) 1 T clover honey Large pinch of ground cinnamon Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and ginger; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add broth and water; bring to a boil. Add sweet potatoes; bring to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are soft, 20-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Use immersion blender to puree. Simmer over low heat. Whisk in coconut milk (or alternative), honey, and cinnamon. Cook until thickened and warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls; top with a spoonful of the spicy relish. Serves 4. Per serving: 410 calories; 34g carbs;10 mg cholesterol; 30g fat & 4 g fiber. Source: adapted from a Bobby Flay recipe My note: the âÂÂspicy relishâ is the best part of this soup! Double the amounts.