Cheese Ball

2 pkgs (8 oz each) Cream Cheese softened
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Dry Mix
2- 4T. Finely chopped onion
1 cup medium cheddar cheese finely grated
1 cup chopped pecans

In a mixing bowl add 1st 4 ingredients and mix well. Chill in refrigerator until firm. Form into ball and  roll ball into chopped pecans. Chill again.

We serve this cheese ball with all different crackers. My favorite is wheat thin crackers.
* Can also be made & given with a box of crackers for a Christmas gift.

Submitted by Mandy

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

In a 9 X 13 casserole dish put 1 pkg. premade frozen meatballs, diced onion, diced green pepper, and 1 can of drained chopped pineapple.

 In a microwave safe bowl add 1 jar (12 oz) Apricot preserves, 2T. butter,  pineapple juice (approx. 1/8 -1/4 cup) and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Whisk together and heat in microwave until butter melts. Pour sauce over meatballs and veggies and stir to combine.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

I love to serve these meatballs over steamed rice.
Submitted by: Mandy

Ranch Snack Mix

1 pkg. (12 oz) miniature pretzels
2 pkgs. (6 oz each) bugles
1 can (10 oz) salted cashews
1 pkg (6 oz) chedder fish crackers
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil

In 2 large bowls, combine the pretzels, bugles, cashews, and crackers. Sprinkle with dressing mix; toss gently to combine. Drizzle with oil; toss until well coated. Store in airtight containers.
Yield: 6 quarts.

Summitted by: Mandy Coleman

French Bread

Combine 1/2 cup warm water and 2T yeast and set aside.  In mixer, combine 2 cups hot water, 1/3 cup oil, 3T sugar, 3t salt.  Stir 3 cups flour into water, oil, sugar, and salt mixture.  Add yeast/water mixture, beat until smooth.  Add 3 cups more flour.

 Rest dough 10 minutes.  Stir down.  Rest and stir every 10 minutes for a total of 5 times.  Divide dough and shape into two loaves on a greased cookie sheet.  Cut diagonal slashes with a sharp knife.  Brush loaves with beaten egg whites.  Let rise.  Bake about 30 minutes at 400 degrees.

 *Note: I like to substitute 2 cups of whole wheat flour for 2 cups of white flour. 

 Submitted by Mandy Coleman