Microwave Caramel Corn

I was out at the in-laws today and my hubby's step-mother mixed this yummy treat up. I'm used to making my Caramel Corn in the oven. So when she started talking about a microwave caramel corn I was thinking really? Could it be possible?

She quick made this while we chatted away in the kitchen. I couldn't believe how fast it came together!

I instantly knew I had to try this out. I mean you make it in a paper bag you get to throw away instead of scrubbing. How amazing is that?!

So we went home and I quick mixed it up that afternoon. Yup it was amazing. And simple. I love my other caramel corn recipe too, but if I need a quick treat to bring somewhere I know I'll be going to this recipe.

If you get invited to a last minute holiday gathering and need a treat to share this is your baby! Plus when I looked at the recipe card she and copied off for me it said (mom) on it. A recipe that is passed down always is always amazing in my book!

Remember it's the last day to go enter the Little Baby Bumblebee going on right now!

Microwave Caramel Corn
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Ingredients
16 c. popcorn (about 2/3 c. kernels)
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. corn syrup
1 stick margarine
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda

1. Melt brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in microwave for 3 minutes, stirring in one minute intervals.

2. Add vanilla and baking soda to brown sugar mixture. Mix well.

3. Put popped popcorn into a brown grocery bag. Pour brown sugar mixture over the popcorn. Shake bag.

4. Put grocery bag in microwave. Microwave for 3 minutes. After each minute take bag out and shake. After three minutes microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Shaking after each 30 second interval. Pour onto wax paper and let cool.

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Crazy For Crust

Weekend Potluck 
Fresh Eggs Daily 
Mandy's Recipe Box 

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

*WARNING*

This treat is HIGHLY addictive ~ Do not blame me for your pants not fitting tomorrow morning, but you will enjoy yourself while you eat it! 

Oh and those "skinny" jeans you want to get into...this will not help your cause at all. Like those "pre-pregnancy" pants that I still can't get into. Don't get me wrong I can squeeze into most of them but a few of them still just. won't. button. Ugh. Back to the gym I go so I can eat more of this amazing treat and still be able to fit into my pants! 

If you have a spare 10 minutes please whip up a batch of this. Your kids will love you. Your hubby will love you. Your friends will love you. 

Your pants will not. I repeat. Your pants will not love you. 

But don't worry. I'll still love you!

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

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Ingredients

5 c. Chex cereal

10 oz (5 squares) vanilla flavored almond bark, or white chocolate chips

1 1/2 c. Funfetti cake mix

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1. Melt Almond Bark according to package directions. 

2. Pour cereal into a large bowl and drizzle Almond Bark over the cereal. Mix gently with a large spoon. 

3. Dump the cake mix and powdered sugar in the bowl and mix gently until cereal is evenly coated. 

*You could also mix ingredients in a large paper bag if you don't have a big enough bowl. Then just shake the items!

Recipe From: Six Sisters' Stuff

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Our Delightful Home
Crazy for Crust
Newlyweds
Weekend Potluck
Semi Homemade Mom 

Apple Brickle Dip

Well it looks like fall is rolling in here in Minnesota. I enjoy the crisp mornings and hoodie sweatshirt weather, but I also fear what is looming ahead. Good 'ol winter. Boy do I hate that season, and of course it lasts the longest. Just my luck right?

This morning I had to dig into my totes and find a sweater to wear to work today. I even have my little space heater running under my desk. Brrrr.... I peaked at the 10 day forecast and they promise that next week holds 70 degree weather again. I'll pray to the Lord above they are correct!

Along with fall comes those lovely colds. I've been battling one for a few days now. They suck. No way around it. It seems like no cold medicine helps it either. I think they are just stealing our money as we hope and dream of our symptoms leaving us!

This yummy dip that I'm sharing with you comes together quickly and it's a true fall treat. I could almost eat it with a spoon. Run to the grocery store and grab some of those yummy apples filling the aisles this time of year and make this dip to accompany them!

Apple Brickle Dip

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Ingredients
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) package toffee baking bits
8 Granny Smith Apples, cored and sliced

1. Beat together cream cheese, sugars and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.

2. Stir in toffee bits.

*I dipped my apples in a lemon lime soda to try and prevent them from browning. They didn't brown as fast, but they will brown a little after a while if you try this.

Recipe From: Allrecipes.com

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Newlyweds
Weekend Potluck
Our Delightful Home
Crazy for Crust  

Ranch Pretzels

Looking for something perfect to share with your friends on the next game day? These are so yummy and easy they will be snatched up.

Do you know why I look forward to football season?

It's simply for the food. How pathetic is that?

Oh and now I have another reason. That reason is dressing little Miss K up in her Viking gear.

The hubby was in Target and he came and told me he found these onsies that were Vikings and he almost got them. I said, "Almost?? Let's get them!" 

My lovely sis-in-law shared this recipe with me. She brings them to gatherings and they are that item you keep going back for even though you know you need to stop eating them. Not great for the waistline, but hey I'm not going to judge you!

 Yup. I don't have a lot of self-control and these little babies let me know that.

Ranch Pretzels
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Ingredients
1 (10 oz) bottle popcorn oil
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp garlic powder
1 pkg (dry powder) Ranch dressing
1 bag of pretzel sticks
1 bag of butter flavored pretzels

1. Combine all ingredients except pretzels in a large bowl or bag. Add pretzels and toss until well coated.

2. Bake them at 250 degrees for one hour on two jelly roll pants. Stir them every 15 minutes while baking.

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Weekend Potluck
Flour Me With Love
Our Delightful Home
Couponing & Cooking
Semi Homemade Mom    

Cheerios Trail Mix

Wow another month has flew by and it's time for the Secret Recipe club reveal again!

This month I was assigned the blog Mother Thyme. She has a tons of fun and new recipes on there. I choose the Cheerios Trail Mix. I saw it and I knew my dad was going to love this mix. He like any kind of nut and dried craisins.

I have to say this is the first time I've ever used agave nectar. If you haven't used it it's found in the baking aisle by the sugar.

It's a super simple trail mix that welcomes in fall!

Cheerios Trail Mix
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Ingredient
2 c. Cheerios
1/4 c. agave nectar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 c. dried cranberries
1/4 c. chopped or whole walnuts or almonds
1/3 c. white chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix Cheerios with agave nectar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add cranberries and nuts. Spread out on a non sticking baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Once cooled toss with white chocolate chips.

*My mix was still sticky so I think I would bake it at 250 degrees for 1 hour stirring everyone 15 minutes.

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Wow another month has went by and it's time for Secret Recipe Club reveal day once again!

I love checking out the blog I'm assigned every month. It's like Christmas when I get my email with my assignment in it. I get to open it and then go on my merry way and try a fantabulous new recipe!

This month I was assigned The Boys Made Me Do It. Cara has sa super cute blog over there and highly recommend you check it out. The background of her blog made me smile. It just looks so happy! I went browsing through her recipes and came across Funfetti Cake Batter Dip. I've seen this floating around in blogland and on Pinterest and decided it was high time I tried it.

I ended up making it the day of our nephew's 1st birthday party so I brought it to share. It was a hit that's for sure! My sister-in-law compared it to "Dunkaroos". Do you remember those little packages of yuminess? They used to be one of my favorite treats! I also had a couple people ask if it was on my blog. I assured them it would be soon!

If you are looking for an easy treat this is it! My hubby just got his nighttime snack and it was this. Guess he didn't get enough the first two times he ate it today!

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip
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Ingredients
3 Tbsp Funfetti cake mix
2 Tbsp plain yogurt
1 Tbsp cool whip


1. Stir cake mix and yogurt until smooth.

2. Fold in cool whip.

3. Refrigerate until serving.

4. Serve with fruit, vanilla wafers or animal crackers.

Cinnamon Sugar Peanuts

It's time for Secret Recipe Club Reveal day again! This month I was assigned Big Bears Wife. Oh my goodness her blog is a gold mine of great recipes! For example she just posts Cheesy Chicken Roll Ups I think I'm going to have to try.

I picked out her Cinnamon Sugar Cashews to make. I might have, just might have spaced that I had to do this on the 23rd of July and waited until the last minute. It's a total bummer I did this because she has so many great recipes to try and I wish I would have had more time! Oh well, guess I'll pin them for later! These were excellent and would make an awesome little treat at Christmas in goodie bags. The only thing that confused me as why she calls them "Cinnamon" Sugar Cashews, because cinnamon isn't in the recipe. I did substitute the cashews for peanuts as they were what I had on hand. They were still yummy!

I have a bit going on in my life and I go back to work today after my 7 1/2 weeks off with my baby, Miss Kinzee Marie. It's hard for this Momma, as I assumed it is for most of us! I know she is with a wonderful daycare mom but I'm still having major separation anxiety. I can't wait until we get settle into a routine.

Cinnamon Sugar Cashews
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Ingredients
1 c. peanuts (or any other nut)
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and generously spray the wax paper with cooking spray.

2. Beat egg white and vanilla in a bowl. Pour peanuts into the egg mixture and stir to coat nuts evenly.

3. Combine both sugars in a small bowl with a lid. Add the peanuts to the sugar mixture. Cover with lid and shake until the peanuts are all coated.

4. Pour the peanuts onto your lined baking sheet. Make sure they are spread out in an even mixture.

5. Bake for 1 hour, stirring peanuts every 15 minutes so they don't stick and burn.

Chili's Copycat Salsa

Salsa is one of those things I've always wanted to make, but have never had enough guts or ambition. I even bought this little Tupperware gadget to make salsa last summer. It sat in a box, neglected and gathering dust in my basement closet.

I'm so glad I finally took a leap and it! Sure some of the ingredients do come from cans and I hope to graduate to a garden this summer and fresh salsa from that, but in the meantime I'm quite satisfied with this little recipe. Plus fresh salsa in the winter? What a great thing!

I loved this salsa because it has the hint of lime in it that so many restaurants have in their salsas. I'm always a sucker for the chips and salsa that some restaurants give you. This did not let me down!

Chili's Copycat Salsa Recipe
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Ingredients
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, drained
1 small (4 oz) can diced jalapenos
1/4 c. yellow onion
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp lime juice

1. Place all ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth

2. Serve with tortilla chips


Recipe from: Six Sister's Stuff

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Our Delightful Home
Flour Me With Love 
Newlyweds 

Leprechaun Floats

I came up with these cute little treats for St. Patty's day while pondering a simple, easy and fun treat for kids.

They are super easy. I mean two ingredients, how can you mess that up? If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids on St. Patty's day this is it!

This recipe can easily be adapted for different holidays also. My hubby looked at me when we were sitting on our couch enjoying our floats (yes big kids enjoy them too!!) and goes you know this would be really good with orange sherbet too. I agreed but explained the logic behind the lime sherbet for St. Patty's day. His eyes then lit up and said oh we can make orange ones for Halloween....and like every other day also just because Julie!

I might have to add orange sherbet to the grocery list on his behalf!

Leprechaun Floats


Ingredients
Lime Sherbet
Sierra Mist

1. Put ice cream in glass and pour Sierra Mist over the ice cream!

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Newlyweds

Crack Dip

The weather was AMAZING this weekend. It definitely made me hope that spring was here to say. We have had great winter in Minnesota with way less subzero temperatures and snowstorms than usually and an early spring would make it the perfect winter.

When spring is in the air it's funny to watch people in Minnesota. We all go slightly crazy and wear short sleeves, shorts, grill and over all act like it's about 75 degrees out and sunny in the middle of the summer. Others would call us nuts, I just like to think we are hearty!

We celebrated they amazingly warm weather with a grill out at brother and sister-in-laws. I whipped up this simple and delicious dip for the get together. If you are looking for an accompaniment for your nice grill out this is perfect!

Crack Dip
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Ingredients
16 oz sour cream
1 packet ranch dressing mix
3 oz bacon bits (in the packet not the plastic jar)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1. Mix together. It's best if you refrigerate it for a day before eating!

Recipe from: Plain Chicken

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Flour Me With Love
Newlyweds 

Weekend Potluck
Everyday Mom's Meals
Addicted to Recipes

Mandy's Recipe Box

Sweet 'n' Sour Meatballs

I've been craving these guys since my Aunt Pam made them for our Christmas. I kept bugging my mom to get the recipe and low and behold I found out it came from one of my favorite church cookbooks and I had it the whole time!

They are absolutely amazing. I think I'm in love. I don't know how to put it any other way.

This recipes makes quite a few so make sure you have a crowd around, but if you don't no worries, they are delicious at leftovers too. We definitely didn't have any trouble polishing these off! I made about 24 meatballs with the recipe but if you wanted you could make them littler and get more meatballs. They can either be used for an appetizer or a main dish!

Sweet 'n' Sour Meatballs
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Ingredients

Meatballs
13 oz evaporated milk
3 lb ground beef
2 c. oatmeal
1 c. chopped onions
2 eggs
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp chili powder

Sauce
3 c. ketchup
2 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. chopped onion
3 Tbsp liquid smoke
1 tsp garlic powder

1. Mix all ingredients for meatballs together. Form meatballs and place in 2-9x13 inch glass baking dish.

2. Mix sauce and pour over the meatballs.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

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The Country Cook 

Tortilla Pinwheels

I always get excited when I go to someones house for an event and these are sitting on the table. I figured it was about time I tried to make them, well I tried once and it wasn't pretty. I learned quickly that the key to making these little babies is good flour tortillas. I found those in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. The other tortillas I got were flaky and it was pretty! It's also easier to cut these when they are stored in the fridge to let the cream cheese firm up.

The hubby daringly tried these (Daring for him!) and he fell in love too. I don't think I'll tell him that there are black olives in them. *GASP* He'd never eat them again. Little white lies never hurt anyone did they?

If you are starting to look forward to planning a Super Bowl Party these would be perfect!

Tortilla Pinwheels
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Ingredients
8 oz sour cream
8 oz package cream cheese, softened
4 oz can diced green chilies, drained
4 oz can chopped black olives, drained
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. chopped green onions
Garlic powder, to taste
Seasoned Salt, to taste
5-10" flour tortillas

1. Mix all filling ingredients together, except tortillas. Divide filling and spread evenly over tortillas; roll up tortillas.

2. Roll each tortilla up in plastic wrap, twisting the ends. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

3. Unwrap; cut into slices. Lay pinwheels flat on glass serving plate.

Yield: 50 Pinwheels

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The Country Cook 
Jane Deere 
Everyday Mom's Meals

Snack Mix

I have all these wonderful posts for you after my baking and snack frenzy I went on for the holidays and my camera cord is no were to be found. Seriously. It's such a horrible thing. I went and ordered a new one because I don't know where it is. Hopefully it gets here soon so I can continue my posting.

I remember having it a week ago and I think it will turn up so I just keep waiting, and looking, and waiting. I have this thing called "Baby Brain". I never believe all my friends that claimed this existed. Whenever they talked about being pregnant and forgetful I just thought to myself, "Oh sure it's just an excuse so you can blame it on something."

WELL was I wrong! My hubby asked if I'd found it...I informed him no. He told me to look next to the buttons and my bonus check from work, as I have lost those too.

Bet my mind is right next too them!

Ok enough about me and my forgetfulness. This recipe is wonderful. I always make it around Christmas time, but it would be great for a snack anytime. The recipe was handed down to me but my Grandma and Great Aunt Eunice. Now even my sister-in-law recognizes this snack mix for a holiday treat. When it graced my mom's table she was saying "Ohhh that yummy snack mix!".

Plus it simple. I mean it uses a grocery bag to mix it in so there's hardly any clean up involved. I'm telling you my Grandma was a genius to snap this one up!

Snack Mix

Ingredients
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. white syrup
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

3 c. Crispix
3 c. Golden Grahams
3 c. Capt Crunch
3 c. Pretzel Sticks
3 c. Peanuts

2 c. M&M's
2 c. Raisins

1. Combine butter, white syrup, brown sugar and salt in 2 qt bowl. Microwave 2 min, stir and microwave another 2 minutes.

2. Add baking soda and vanilla, mix well. Pour over cereal mix in a large paper grocery bag.

3. Roll top down and microwave 1 1/2 min. Shake. Microwave another minute.

4. Add M&M's and raisins. Shake again. Spread on wax paper to cool.

5. Spread on wax paper to cool. Store in an airtight container.

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The Country Cook 

Caramel Corn

Here's another holiday treat for you! I've been making this yummy treat around the holidays for years now. It makes a TON of caramel corn, but don't worry it won't last long. I always add peanuts but it's optional if you aren't nutty like me!

I always make this in my huge "Thatsa Bowl" from Tupperware. Love me some T-ware! It fills it plum full. I brought it out to Mom's on Thanksgiving and set it out after dinner and even after an amazing Thanksgiving meal it was gone by the time I left.

If you are looking for an easy and crowd pleasing treat for the holidays you can't go wrong with this!

 Caramel Corn
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Ingredients
1 c. unpopped popcorn, popped
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter
1/2 c. light syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda
1 Tbsp vanilla
Salted Peanuts

1. Boil butter, syrup, sugar and salt in saucepan for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

2. Take off heat and add vanilla and soda. Mix thoroughly. Add peanuts if you want them.

3. Pour mixture over popped popcorn. Put the popcorn on jelly roll pans and bake in the oven at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Stir about every 15-20 minutes.

4. Spread out on wax paper and let cool.

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Newlyweds 

Jane Deere  

Monster Munch

Last week I had my annual Fall/Winter open house for Scentsy and I knew I had to whip up some fall creations. Along with the Apple Bars with Caramel Frosting I already shared with you I made this snack mix.

I had spied this mix a long time ago and of course I pinned it on Pinterest for a later date. Luckily for us I did this because I would have lost it in the pile of recipes and it wouldn't have got made. I love Pinterest because I'm a very visual person and if I can go and look at pictures it's much more likely to get made.

This snack mix is adaptable if you want to mix in a few different things or substitute things but I don't think I'd change a thing. I like it just the way it is. It's nice and festival for a Halloween party or fall party if you have one coming up. Jason's aunt sampled this at my open house, then went to work and told my aunt how awesome it was, who then relayed to my mom how amazing this snack mix was, so my mom had to come over and try it. See that's how to good it is. It's flying around the county here in Minnesota about how wonderful this snack mix was! Try it and you won't be disappointed for a quick and easy fall treat!

Monster Munch
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Ingredients
1 package almond bark (1 lb)
12 c. popped popcorn (about 1/2 c. kernels)
1 c. candy corn
1 c. dry roasted, salted peanuts
1 c. Reese's Pieces

1. Pop popcorn and place in a HUGE mixing bowl. The biggest you have. You'll need it and it's much easier to mix if you aren't struggling to keep it in the bowl. Mix in peanuts, candy corn and Reese's pieces.

2. Put the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl and melt according to directions on the package. Be careful not to go to long without stirring it or it will get hard and not mix.

3. Pour the melted almond bark over the snack mix and stir until everything is well coated. Spread out on waxed paper. Let sit until completely dry and then break into clumps.

4. Sample the mix. Try not to eat it all in one sitting. I promise this will be hard to follow. Enjoy!

Recipe from: Our Best Bites

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Crazy for Crust

Summer Slush

One hot, sweaty day at work (why am I complaining I was inside in the A.C. while my hubby was outside shingling...) I was treated to this awesome slush by a coworker. In the afternoon she came in and asked if I'd like a glass of slush. Who can turn down that when she's delivering it to you? It totally hit the spot and was so yummy I needed it for the blog. That's right NEEDED it so you all could experience its yumminess too.

This weekend I had the perfect excuse to make it. We had our end of the season softball tournament and a few of us camped this weekend also so I knew I'd have lots of friends to enjoy it with. I also knew that it was supposed to be super hot and humid and I would be welcoming an icy drink by the end of the day! Yup see I was just looking out for myself. Typical right?

Speaking of hot and humid...which it was...this makes the perfect time for storms. Saturday night we were sitting around the campers saying how it would be cool to see a tornado. Well low and behold we got our wish! It was a few miles north of the town we were in so we just sat by the lake and watched it grow, and grow and grow...it touched down in a field then dissipated with no one getting hurt. Now that's my kind of a tornado!

If you are looking for the perfect summertime treat to round out a cookout with your friends this slush will not disappoint! Enjoy!

Summer Slush
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Ingredients
6 c. water
4 c. sugar
46 oz pineapple juice
12 oz frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 - 12 oz frozen Welch's Strawberry Breeze concentrate, thawed
Sierra Mist
Vodka (optional)

1. Bring the water and sugar to boil. Cool the mixture.

2. Add the pineapple juice, orange juice and strawberry juice. Stir twice during freezing.

3. Serve with Sierra Mist and vodka.

Vegetable Pizza

Last one for tonight I promise. I know I'm filling up that email inbox of yours. I have a work Christmas party tomorrow night and need to bring an appetizer so I made a vegetable pizza which I totally love, but in the words of my husband "nasty" pizza. Have I told you about his "love" of vegetables. It's more like an allergy! I have to make this stuff when I can bring it somewhere and share and not have to eat the whole thing by myself, which I might actually do because I like this so much!

Vegetable Pizza
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Ingredients

1 pkg crescent rolls
4 oz Light French Onion Dip
4 oz Light Cream Cheese
1/3 pkg dry Hidden Valley Dressing Mix
1/2 c light mayonnaise

Fresh vegetables to garnish (cucumbers, radishes, cauliflower, celery, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, olives....)

1. Put crescent rolls in a greased jelly roll pan, press them together to form a crust.

2. Bake crescent rolls according to package directions

3. Mix french onion dip, cream cheese, ranch dressing and mayo together. Spread on cooled crescent rolls.

4. Cut vegetables up and put on cheese mixture.

5. Refrigerate & cut when ready to serve.