Crispy Wonton Mozzarella Sticks

Having something quick and easy to fix with burgers, hot dogs or chicken tenders is a must.  This is one you can easily fix for a quick weeknight dinner.  Thank you Neighborfood Blog for this easy recipe.

Crispy Wonton Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

• 8 string cheeses or about a 12 oz. block of cheese
• 24 wonton wrappers (find them in the refrigerated area of the produce section!)
• 1 egg white
• About 1-2 cups oil, for frying 
• Sea Salt
• Grated Parmesan
• Marinara sauce

Directions:

1. Cut your string cheese into 3 equal pieces, or cut your block of cheese into 24 pieces that are about ½ an inch wide and 1½ inches long.
2. Place a wonton wrapper in front of you in the shape of a diamond. Use a pastry brush to brush egg white on the surface of the wrapper. Place string cheese in the center. Fold in the north and south diamond corners then take the eastern corner and roll it around the cheese until the whole thing is completely covered. Seal up the corners. If the seals don't feel secure, brush with a little more egg white and press together. Repeat with remaining cheese and wrappers.
3. Heat fry oil in a deep saute pan to about 375 degrees. Carefully drop mozzarella sticks into the oil and fry until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from oil and place on a plate. Sprinkle with sea salt and grated Parmesan. Serve HOT with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Wheat Crackers

I was trying to find a saltine recipe but ended up finding this recipe.  It is quite tasty, and I think would be so good with pimento cheese or anything like that.  Thank you Little House Living for the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. wheat flour
• 4 T. butter (softened or melted)
• 1 1/2 T Sugar
• 1/2 t. salt + some for sprinkling
• 1/4 c. water (more or less)

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the sugar, wheat flour, and salt. 

Add in the butter. Mix until crumbly.

Slowly add in the water. You may need more or less.  Mixing with a fork combines the ingredients better and still lets them be flaky.

Roll the dough out until it's very thin. (It will not rise at all so just roll it out to be the thinness you desire to eat!) You will need to roll out the dough on parchment paper if you aren't using a stonewear pan so it doesn't stick.

Score your crackers with a pizza cutter. If your crackers aren't perfectly square, no big deal

Sprinkle with a little more salt.

Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes. Watch the crackers after 10 minutes to make sure they don't get too "done".  They will burn quickly!

Enjoy plain, with cheese, dip, or any other way you normally enjoy crackers!

Cream Cheese Wontons

This is an easy and delicious recipe.  You can keep them plain like this (they have a slight spice kick to them) or you can add other flavors to them.  You can fold them anyway you like.  I fold mine like a triangle, then pinch all corners together.  You can fry them but I bake them.  Thanks Ree Drummond for this recipe.

Ingredients:

8 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 Tbls Sriracha or other hot sauce (this amount does give it a kick - you may want to adjust for your tastes)
2 green onions, green parts only, chopped
Water
Wonton wrappers

Directions:

In a bowl mix Sriracha, green onions and cream cheese.  One at a time, assemble the wontons:  place about 1/2 tsp of mixture in the middle of the wrapper.  Use your finger to dip in water then "paint" the edge and seal together.  Fold as you wish.

Bake at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes.  Watch for leaking of contents and overbrowning.

Jalapeno Cheese Dip

I love the Frito Lay Cheddar Jalapeno Dip but I try to stay away from processed foods as much as I can.  So I created this recipe to help with my cravings.  This is a simple recipe but you can add diced tomatoes, cilantro or anything else you want.

Ingredients:
3 Tbls oil or butter
3 Tbls all purpose flour
2 cups of milk
1 - 2 8oz blocks of sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
1 can of hot diced green chilis

Directions:
1.  Heat a sauce pan over medium high heat.
2.  Add the oil or butter and the flour and whisk until well mixed.  Continue to whisk until bubbly and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, making sure not to burn.
3.  Slowly add the milk while whisking constantly and cook until thickened.
4.  Add the cheese and stir until melted.
5.  Add the green chilis and stir.
6.  Serve and enjoy!

Fresh and Easy Salsa

This can be made out of tomatoes (extras from the garden or on the clearance rack in the produce department) or out of petite diced canned tomatoes.  It is easy, tasty and won't last long because it will all be eaten.  You can make it as hot and spicy as you want or you can leave it mild.  You can use fresh jalapenos or canned diced hot green chilis.  This recipe can easily be doubled if needed.

Ingredients:

2-3 cups of diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
1 - 2 jalapenos membranes and seeds removed for mild, leave some for medium to hot OR 1/2 to 1 can of hot diced green chilis
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 medium onion, diced
1 - 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup of cilantro, diced
Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions:
Mix all together, serve and enjoy.

Baked Crab Rangoon

Baked Crab Rangoon adapted from Food.com (via Iowa Girl Eats)

I love appetizers as much as anyone else but I do not like to eat prepared and processed frozen appetizers.  This is a nice treat and is easy to make.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sour cream
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup crab meat, drained
wonton wrappers

Directions:
Preheat oven to 415 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, cream cheese, scallion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sugar together until well combined. Fold in the crab meat.

Lay a wonton wrapper on your work surface. Place about 2 teaspoons of the filling mixture in the center of the wrapper, then brush two adjacent sides of the wrapper lightly with water. Fold the wrapper over on the diagonal. Press around the filling to remove air pockets, then press the sides to seal the wrapper tightly. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.

Spray the tops of the wonton wrappers lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crisp.

Makes 20-24