Potluck

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Potluck

Potluck suppers seem to be more popular than ever. Church Socials, office parties, Super Bowl parties and general get togethers are just a few of the gatherings you may attend and need to take along a dish.

I go to a playgroup once a week, and unless we are at a park it is a potluck. I love these kinds of luncheons. There seems to be an inexhaustible supply of new recipes to temp the taste buds. The dishes range from cold salads to warm, gooey casseroles to wonderful desserts.

One of my favorite recipes is one I received from one of my husband's co-worker's wife. She made these incredible meatballs for one of the Christmas parties. I had to have the recipe and she was gracious enough to pass it along. I made them for my family and they loved them. Then, as luck would have it, I lost the recipe! To top it off the lady who had given me the recipe had moved to New Jersey.

I searched high and low for anyone who could replace the recipe but to no avail. So when we were packing to move a couple of years ago, I was going through an old purse and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. It was the recipe for the meatballs!

I now have several copies of the recipe. I make these to take to lots of parties. As a matter of fact I even shared them with the Courier staff. Now I'd like to share the recipe with you. I am also giving you a recipe for a really great hot pizza dip that is always a big hit.

The Best Sausage Balls

1 lb Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage

1 lb Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage

1 lb Jimmy Dean Regular/mild sausage

1 cup Italian Bread crumbs

1 tsp Sage

3 eggs, whipped

1 Tbls Vinegar

1 ½ cups Ketchup

6 Tbls Brown Sugar

3 Tbls Worcestershire Sauce

Mix bread crumbs, sausages, eggs and sage. Roll into small bite site balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 or until juices run clear.

In a small saucepan, mix the vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Heat on low till blended.

Transfer meatballs into a crockpot. Pour sauce over meatballs. Heat on low until heated through. Serve.

Hot Pizza Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup pizza sauce

2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper

2 ounces pepperoni sausage, chopped

2 tablespoons sliced black olives

In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, and basil. Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or a shallow microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and olive slices. Cover, and microwave for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Cooking Term of the Week

Bouquet Garni -Herbs tied or bagged in cheesecloth and used to flavor soups or broths. They can easily be removed at the end of cooking.

Cool Magazine of the Week

I decided this week to will pass along a great cooking and recipe magazine that I am very fond of. It is Home Cooking. I think I have been a subscriber for nearly 5 years now. I just love this magazine.

It is packed full of really great recipes, most of which are reader tested. Although there are no color pictures, you don't miss them due to the incredible amount of recipes in each issue.

One of the best features is the Recipe Swap. Subscribers from all over the country write in asking readers to help locate lost or forgotten recipes. I now have a couple of recipe pals from the swap section. I try and send recipes to as many people as I can.

So if you are in the market for a new magazine subscription try Home Cooking. For subscription information call 1-800-829-5865.