What You Need:

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

4 (11 oz.) cans refrigerated breadsticks

2 pkg. cheese smoky links

1 t of processed cheese spread

48 small raisins

How to Make It:

Preset the oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Cut 24 small pieces of red bell pepper to look like a tongue.

Remove the breadstick dough from the cans but do not unroll.

Separate each one of the breadstick dough into 6 pieces.

Unroll 1 roll of the dough and press to seal the center perforation.

Loosely wrap the dough around a smoky link leaving about 1 1/2 in. dough extending from each end.

Continue until all the smoky links have been wrapped.

Place the wrapped smoky links on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Form small balls of foil and place under the extended ends of the dough to help form the heads and tails when baking.

Make a small slit in each piece of dough to form a mouth.

Bake 15 minutes or until the dough is a golden brown.

Place the baked snakes on a platter.

Place a tiny amount of the cheese spread onto the head of each snake where the eyes and tongue would be placed.

Place two raisins on each snake for the eyes and a piece of bell pepper on each one for the tongue. 

Makes 24 servings

Kids love these little sneaky snakes.  Regular hot dogs may be used in place of the smoky links if you prefer. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 30 minutes

Baking Time: approximately 15 minutes

Total Time: approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information per serving: (approximate values)

Calories 290; fat 16 g; sodium 910 mg; carbohydrates 29 g; sugar 6 g;

protein 9 g

What You Need:

4 (8 ct.) refrigerated home style biscuits

24 frozen meatballs, thawed

6 T of Parmesan cheese, grated

1 sweet red bell pepper, seed and cut into 12 chunks

How to Make It:

Preset the oven temperature at 375 degrees.

Remove the biscuits from the cans and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces.

Place the biscuit pieces into a mixing bowl.

Add the Parmesan cheese and toss the biscuits until well coated.

Using a metal skewer stick on one biscuit, one meatball, another biscuit, a chunk of pepper, another biscuit, a meatball then end with another biscuit.

Placing the ingredients in that order, continue with 11 more skewers.

Place the kabobs into a 15X10 pan.

Bake 15 minutes or until the biscuits are a golden brown.

Remove and allow the kabobs to cool slightly before serving.

Makes 12 kabobs

Serve these kabobs with a tomato sauce, pizza sauce or even a cheese dip.  The kids will love them.

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Information per skewer: (approximate values)

Calories 580; fat 29 g; sodium 1,730 mg; carbohydrates 57 g; sugar 17 g;

protein 24 g

What You Need:

8 t of margarine, softened

8 slices of whole wheat bread

4 slices of American cheese

4 slices of Muenster cheese

2 C of mild salsa

How to Make It:

Spread the margarine over 1 side of each slice of bread.

Place half of the bread slices, margarine side down, into a large skillet.

Place one slice of the American cheese onto each slice of bread

Layer one slice of the Muenster cheese over the American cheese.

Place the remaining bread, margarine side up, onto each sandwich.

Place the skillet over medium heat.

Brown the sandwiches for 4 minutes or until nicely toasted.

Flip each sandwich and continue browning 3 minutes or until toasted.

Remove to a platter and allow them to cool at least 5 minutes.

Cut each sandwich into 4 sections.

Cut each of the 4 sections in half.

Serve with the salsa on the side for dipping.

Makes 8 servings

Any type of cheese can work in these little dippers. Try cheddar, mozzarella or Swiss if you prefer. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Cooking Time:  approximately 7 minutes

Cooling Time: approximately 5 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 32 minutes

Nutritional Information per 8 dippers:  (approximately values)

Calories 380; fat 23 g; sodium 1070 mg; carbohydrates 31 g; sugar 5 g;

protein 16 g

What You Need:

8 bratwurst buns

1/2 C of creamy Italian dressing

8 slices of bologna

8 slices of American cheese

4 Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 C of shredded lettuce

How to Make It:

Open the buns and lay them on a flat surface.

Drizzle the dressing evenly over all 8 buns.

Slice each piece of bologna in half and place 2 halves on the bottom of each bun.

Cut each slice of cheese in half from corner to corner to make 2 triangles.

Place the 2 cheese triangle on top of the bologna on each sub.

Add 2 slices of tomatoes onto each sub.

Sprinkle with a handful of the shredded lettuce.

Close the buns and cut each bun in half.

Secure each half with a toothpick.

Makes 16 sub halves

The ingredients for making these subs are endless.  Use different types of meat, cheeses and toppings.  Mustard, brown or yellow, honey mustard dressing or mayonnaise can also be used in place of the Italian dressing.  The kids will love them no matter what ingredients you add.

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information per sandwich: (approximate values)

Calories 360; fat 23 g; sodium 980 mg; carbohydrates 26 g; sugars 4 g;

protein 12 g

What You Need:

6 C of water

5 cinnamon apple spice tea bags

1 (6 oz.) can orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 C of honey

How to Make It:

Pour the water into a sauce pan placed over medium high heat.

Bring the water to a brisk steady boil.

Remove the saucepan from the stove and add the tea bags.

Allow the tea to stand for 5 minutes.

Remove the tea bags and throw them away.

Stir the orange juice concentrate into the tea.

Add the honey and whisk until the honey has completely dissolved.

Pour into tea cups and serve.

Makes 10 servings

This tea makes a wonderful drink for children on a cold New Years Eve night.  Add slices of oranges or a cinnamon stick to each cup for a special treat.

Preparation Time:  10 minutes

Steeping Time:  5 minutes

Total Time:  15 minutes

Nutritional Information per cup:  (approximate values)

Calories 80; fat 0 g; sodium 0 mg; carbohydrates 21 g; sugar 20 g; protein 0 g

What You Need:

1/2 C of pineapple cream cheese, softened

2 (8 oz.) containers of lemon yogurt

1/2 C of dried mixed fruit

How to Make It:

Place the cream cheese into a serving bowl.

Add the lemon yogurt and mix with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.

Fold in the dried mixed fruit.

Cover the bowl tightly and chill for at least 1 hour.

Makes 8 servings

This dip tastes great all by its self but kids prefer to use it as a dip for other types of fruit.  Slice apples, pears and oranges and add some grapes on toothpicks for them to enjoy with their dip.

Preparation Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Chilling Time:  approximately 1 hour

Total Time:  approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

Nutritional Value per 1/3 C serving: (approximate values)

Calories 190; fat 6 g; sodium 80 mg; carbohydrates 33 g; sugar 28 g; protein 4 g

What You Need:

1 qt. fresh whole strawberries

1 C of vanilla ready to spread frosting

Miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Chopped nuts

Colored sugars

Candy sprinkles

Grated chocolate

Shredded coconut

How to Make It:

Rinse the strawberries under cold water and place on paper towel to dry.

Place the frosting into a microwave safe bowl.

Heat on high for 15 seconds or until the frosting is melted and smooth.

Place the chips, nuts, sugars, sprinkles, chocolate and coconut into separate shallow bowls.

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Dip the bottom of each strawberry about 1/3 up into the frosting.

Quickly dip the frosted strawberry into one of the toppings.

Place the strawberry on the wax paper.

Continue until all of the strawberries have been dipped.

Place the strawberries into the refrigerator for 5 minutes or until the frosting has hardened.

Makes 40 strawberries

Place these strawberries on your appetizer table for the kids to enjoy.  They will definitely feel special when they know these little goodies are just for them.  Any type of frosting can be used such as chocolate or strawberry.  Use your imagination when it comes to the toppings.

Preparation Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Chilling Time:  approximately 5 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information per strawberry:  (approximate values)

Calories 50; fat 2 g; sodium 0 mg; carbohydrates 8 g; sugar 8 g; protein 0 g