What You Need:

8 mini corn taco shells

1/3 C of milk chocolate chips, divided

1 pint vanilla ice cream

2 T peanuts, chopped

How to Make It:

Preset the oven control to 350 degrees allowing the oven to preheat.

Stand the taco shells, opening up, in a loaf pan placing foil balls at each end to keep them upright.

Heat the shells in the oven for 5 minutes or until crispy. 

Remove and allow the shells to cool for 10 minutes.

Fill the bottom of each cooled shell with 1 t of the chocolate chips.

Fill each of the taco shells with 1/4 C of ice cream.

Place the pan of filled shells into the freezer for at least 15 minutes.

Place the remaining chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl.

Microwave on high 1 minute then stir.

If the chips are not completely melted and smooth return to the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chips are melted and smooth.

Remove the tacos from the freezer.

Trickle the melted chocolate over the top of each of the tacos.

Quickly sprinkle each taco with the chopped peanuts.

Return to the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

Makes 8 ice cream tacos

These easy to make ice cream tacos will be a hit on New Years Eve. Any flavor of ice cream will work.  You can also use any type of ice cream topping to drizzle over the top.  Create an ice cream taco that will suit your children’s tastes.

Preparation Time:  approximately 30 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 5 minutes

Freezing Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information per taco: (approximate values)

Calories 140; fat 8 g; sodium 60 mg; carbohydrates 15 g;

sugars 10 g; protein 3 g

What You Need:

12 slices of bacon

18 slices of sandwich bread

1/2 C of mayonnaise

4 T of Thousand Island dressing

12 lettuce leaves

12 slices of cooked deli turkey

2 tomatoes, sliced into 6 slices each

8 cherry tomatoes

8 sweet pickle slices

How to Make It:

Place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium high heat.

Cook the bacon for 10 minutes or until crisp, turning once.

Drain the bacon well on paper towel.

Toast the slices of bread in the toaster.

Place the mayonnaise into a small mixing bowl.

Add the Thousand Island dressing and stir until blended together well.

Spread the mayonnaise mixture over one side of each slice of toasted bread.

Place 6 slices of bread on the counter mayo side up.

Place one lettuce leaf and 2 slices of turkey onto each piece of bread.

Place 6 slices of bread mayo side down over the turkey.

Add 6 more lettuce leaves to the sandwich.

Place 2 slices of tomato over the lettuce.

Lay 2 slices of bacon over each sandwich.

Top with the remaining toast mayo side down.

Use a sharp knife and cut each sandwich into 4 pieces diagonally.

To assemble place 1 sandwich piece on a wooden skewer.

Add one cherry tomato.

Place another sandwich piece to the skewer.

Slide on one sweet pickle slice.

Finish with another sandwich piece.

Makes 8 kabobs

Preparation Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Information per kabob:  (approximately values)

Calories 420; fat 24 g; sodium 740 mg; carbohydrates 32 g;

sugar 5 g; protein 21 g

What You Need:

3 C baked cheese crackers

2 C butter flavored pretzel sticks

1 C of peanuts

1 T of extra virgin olive oil

2 T of dry taco seasoning mix

How to Make It:

Place the crackers in a large microwave safe mixing bowl.

Add the pretzels and peanuts and gently toss to combine.

Drizzle the oil over the top and stir with a spoon to evenly coat.

Sprinkle with the taco seasoning mix and stir again to coat well.

Microwave the mixture on high for 2 minutes.

Remove and stir with a wooden spoon.

Return to the microwave and heat for an additional 2 minutes on high.

Allow the mix to stand 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 servings

This is a great little snack for kids to enjoy all evening long.  Not sure what to do with the left over taco seasoning you have?  Sprinkle it over popcorn and place it on the snack table next to the Taco Mexican mix for another delicious snack. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Microwave Time:  approximately 4 minutes

Standing Time:  approximately 5 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 19 minutes

Nutritional Value per 1/2 C serving:  (approximate values)

Calories 190; fat 11 g; sodium 400 mg; carbohydrates 16 g;

sugar 3 g; protein 6 g 

What You Need:

2 (8 oz.) can refrigerated crescent rolls

8 slices of deli ham

8 slices of Swiss cheese

16 frozen breaded chicken breast tenders, thawed

How to Make It:

Adjust the oven temperature to 375 and allow the oven to heat.

Unroll both cans of the crescent rolls.

Separate each roll of dough into 8 rectangles.

Press the perforations in each rectangle to seal.

Place the dough rectangles on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Place one slice of the ham onto each rectangle.

Top with ham with a slice of the cheese.

Place 2 chicken tenders over the ham and cheese making sure the tops of each tender is place within 1 inch of the top edge of the dough.

Fold the bottom of the dough over the chicken tenders about half way up.

Press the side of the dough with a fork to seal.

Bake 15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the tenders are hot.

Makes 8 servings

To thaw the chicken tenders spread them on a plate and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour or thaw in the microwave on defrost for about 4 minutes.  Use ketchup and mustard to make funny faces on the chicken tenders before serving. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Total Time: approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Information per serving:  (approximate values)

Calories 430; fat 23 g; sodium 1,650 mg; carbohydrates 33 g;

sugar 9 g; protein 23 g

What You Need:

6 (8 oz.) containers of vanilla yogurt

3/4 C of orange juice

3 bananas

3 C of frozen whole strawberries

Trix cereal, crushed

How to Make It:

Place the yogurt into the blender.

Add the orange juice and stir just slight to incorporate into the yogurt.

Peel the bananas and break each banana into chunks.

Place the bananas and strawberries into the blender.

Cover and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Pour into glasses and top with the crushed cereal.

Makes 10 servings

This healthy drink is great to serve to kids for their New Years Eve party.  It’s not as cold as a milk shake or as time consuming as punch.  These smoothies can be topped with miniature chocolate chips or cut up pieces of fruit if you prefer. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Nutritional Information per 1 C serving:  (approximate values)

Calories 230; fat 2 g; sodium 90 mg; carbohydrates 47 g;

sugar 38 g; protein 8 g

What You Need:

1/2 C of strawberry cream cheese, softened

1 large red apple, cored and chopped small

2 bananas, chopped small

4 cinnamon flavored bagels

How to Make It:

Place the cream cheese in a bowl and stir until smooth and creamy.

Fold in the apples and bananas until well coated with the cream cheese.

Split the bagels in half and toast each half in the toaster until slightly crispy.

Cut the toasted bagels into bite size pieces.

Serve the bagel pieces with the spread on the side.

Makes 8 servings

Any flavor of bagels will work with this recipe.  If you are having trouble finding cinnamon bagels you can use regular bagels.  Cut the bagels in bite size pieces before toasting.  Coat the bagels with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Toast in a 375 degree oven in a single layer on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes or until crispy.  Turn the pieces often during baking time to toast them evenly on all sides.  Allow the toasted bagels to cool completely before serving. 

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Toasting Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 30 minutes

Nutritional Information:  (approximate values)

Calories 160; Fat 6 g; sodium 200 mg; carbohydrates 24 g;

sugars 6 g; protein 4g 

What You Need:

1 (11 oz.) can refrigerated breadsticks

How to Make It:

Adjust the oven setting to 375 degrees.

Remove the dough from the can and unroll.

Separate the dough at the perforations to form 12 strips.

Shape the strips into letters spelling Happy New Year.

Place the letters on the prepared cookie sheet.

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

Allow to cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheet.

Makes 12 letters

This is a cute way to wish your children and their guests a Happy New Year.  Serve these dunkers with a fruit dip.  Brush the tops of each letter with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese then serve with a pizza sauce.  They can also be sprinkled with dry ranch dressing mix and served with ranch dip on the side.

Preparation Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 15 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Value per 2 letters:  (approximately value)

Calories 170; fat 4 g; sodium 550 mg; carbohydrates 28 g;

sugar 4 g; protein 5 g

What You Need:

2 C of applesauce

6 T of vanilla yogurt

1 t ground cinnamon

How to Make It:

Place the applesauce into a serving bowl.

Fold in the yogurt until well combined.

Sprinkle in the cinnamon and stir until blended in well.

Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings

Serve this dip to the little ones who want to be a part of the party but can handle the other snacks and appetizers on the table.  Choose your child’s favorite dunkers such as animal crackers, graham crackers, vanilla wafer or lightly frosted shredded wheat cereal.

Preparation Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Chilling Time:  approximately 30 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Information per 1/4 C serving:  (approximate values)

Calories 170; fat 4 g; sodium 115 mg; carbohydrates 33 g;

sugar 21 g; protein 2 g

What You Need:

1 C of sour cream

1 C of mayonnaise

2 (1 oz.) envelopes of dry ranch dressing mix

4 T of vegetable oil

2 (16.2 oz.) cans refrigerated flaky biscuits

2 (6 oz.) pkg. cooked chicken strips

4 T of butter, melted

How to Cook It:

Preset the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Spray a cookie sheet generously with a non stick cooking spray.

Place the sour cream and mayonnaise together in a mixing bowl.

Stir the mixture until blended together well.

Sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix and blend it in well.

Remove the biscuits and place on the prepared cookie sheet.

Use the tip of your fingers to press out each biscuit into an oval.

Spread 1 t of the dressing mixture over each biscuit.

Place 3 chicken strips crosswise in the center of each biscuit.

Bring the sides of each biscuit up and over the chicken and press to seal.

Brush the tops of each chicken wrap with the melted butter.

Bake 20 minutes or until the biscuits are a golden brown.

Makes 16 wraps

These little wraps will be the hit of the party.  Serve with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.  If your children like a little more spice use taco seasoning mix instead of the ranch dressing mix and serve with salsa for dipping.

Preparation Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information per wrap:  (approximate values)

Calories 430; fat 29 g; sodium 1,140 mg; carbohydrates 30 g; sugar 10 g; protein 12 g

What You Need:

8 slices of white bread

2 (2.5 oz) pkg. cooked ham sliced thin

8 (1 oz.) sticks of string cheese

1 C of honey mustard salad dressing

How to Make It:

Cut the crust off each slice of bread.

Use a rolling pin and roll each slice of bread to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Divide the ham between the 8 slices of bread.

Place a stick of string cheese on each slice of bread at the edge closest too you.

Roll the bread over the cheese and ham.

Place 4 toothpicks into the roll about 1 inch apart.

Using a serrated knife cut each roll into 4 sections.

Serve with the honey mustard for dipping.

Makes 32 roll ups

These roll ups can be made the night before the big party.  Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Any type of thin sliced meat can be used such as turkey, chicken or roast beef.

Preparation Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Nutritional Information per 4 roll ups:  (approximately values)

Calories 280; fat 17 g; sodium 740 mg; carbohydrates 16 g; sugar 4 g; protein 14 g