Ring in the New Year with appetizers

Christmas was such a fabulous day for our family. We were surrounded by all of our family, which made the day perfect.

Two events combined to make the best part of the day for me. Our son, who had been in the hospital, got out in time for Christmas, so we were able to be together, which was awesome. The second thing was when I was tucking our children into bed that night, I asked them what we were most thankful for on this Christmas Day, and they said "Jesus!" Yes, they do get it, and that is the most important thing of Christmas. I hope you got it, too.

We are staying in for New Year's, and I will plan a snack menu for the evening. I have included some of the recipes I'm thinking about fixing. Have a great time ringing in the New Year and be safe in whatever you do.

7-Layer Dip

2 cans bean dip

1 cup sour cream (can use reduced-fat sour cream or plain yogurt)

1/2 cup mayonnaise (can use reduced-fat mayonnaise)

1 package taco mix

Guacamole

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups shredded cheese (colby-jack, Mexican blend or cheddar)

1 small can chopped black olives

2 medium or 3 small tomatoes, chopped or 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies (if you like your dip spicier)

Spread bean dip for first layer. Combine sour cream, mayonnaise and taco mix for second layer. Guacamole is the next layer, followed by chopped onion, cheese, black olives and tomatoes. Serve with a big bowl of tortilla chips.

Pizza Rye Snacks

1 package party rye bread

1 pound hot sausage

1 pound Velveeta cheese

1 tablespoon Worchester sauce

1 tablespoon oregano

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large skillet, brown and drain sausage. Turn heat to low, add cheese to skillet, blend with sausage. Add Worchester and oregano. When well blended, remove from heat. Spread about one tablespoon of mixture on each slice of bread and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until toasted and golden brown. Makes about 36 snacks.

Hot Seafood Spread

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 package imitation crab meat flakes

2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

1/2 cup bottled horseradish sauce or cocktail sauce

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Paprika (optional)

Beat cream cheese until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Blend in remaining ingredients except almonds and paprika. Spread mixture in 9-inch pie plate. Top with almonds and sprinkle with paprika. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with assorted crackers or vegetables.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

10-ounce package spinach, drained

2 (6-ounce) jars artichoke hearts, undrained

3 large cloves garlic

8 ounces cream cheese

1 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 1/2 cups dry bread crumbs

Mix together all ingredients and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with veggies, crackers, Melba toast, etc.

Hot Pepper Jelly Puffs

1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup hot pepper jelly

Combine cheese, butter and flour in food processor. Blend in 1-second pulses until it resembles coarse meal, then run until ball forms (5-6 seconds). Put in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll into 1 inch balls. Bake on ungreased baking sheet about 5 minutes until lightly colored. Form depression in top of each ball with a teaspoon and fill with 1/4 teaspoon jelly. Return to oven and bake about 5 minutes until golden brown. Serves 10.

Garlic Puffs

20 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature

10 slices white bread, crust removed cut in quarters

Combine garlic, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and cream cheese in blender until smooth. Spread mixture on bread squares. Bake at 350 degrees on parchment-lined baking sheet about 15 minutes.

Hot Sausage Dip

1 tablespoon oil

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 pound Jimmy Dean Roll Sausage

1 pound lean ground hamburger

1 pounds process cheese, diced

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 (10-ounce) can diced Rotel, original (Rotel is diced tomatoes with finely chopped green chilies in it)

1 (7-ounce) can chopped and peeled green chilies

In a skillet, saut? onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon oil. Add Jimmy Dean Sausage and hamburger and brown while stirring. Drain excess fat.

Melt cheese in a 2-quart dish in microwave about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, Rotel, meat mixture and green chilies. Serve hot with corn chips. Refrigerate leftovers.

Sauerkraut Ball

1/2 pound ground ham

1/2 pound ground kielbasa

1/2 pound ground lean pork

Saut? the meat in 3 tablespoons butter with 1/3 cup finely chopped onion. Mix, stir in and simmer until thick, stirring constantly add:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 to 1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

When this mixture has cooked, combine it with:

2 pounds cooked and drained sauerkraut

Regrind or process the entire mixture. Form into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in bread crumbs. Deep fry balls until hot through. Serve hot.

I hope you have a chance to enjoy these recipes as you celebrate the entrance of a new year. Have a great week, and until next time, see you next year.

Susan McClanahan is administrator at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Send recipes to smcclanahan@semissourian.com or by mail to P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701. Recipes have not been kitchen-tested.