Ruth's Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

This is my mother’s recipe for cucumber/cream cheese sandwiches. She cuts these into circles or other shapes for special occasions - like a wedding reception, a luncheon, a bridal or baby shower. Everytime I’ve made them, people have asked for the recipe. They’re light-tasting and really REALLY good.

RUTH'S CUCUMBER & CREAM CHEESE SANDWICHES

2 (3 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese

2 Tablespoons grated onion

2 Tablespoons sour cream

2 medium cucumbers (peeled, grated and drained)

salt and white pepper to taste

bread slices

green food coloring (optional - just a drop or two to make the mixture a very pale green)

Combine all ingredients (except the bread slices) to make the filling. Stir until smooth. Cut thin slices of bread into the desired shapes and Spread with the filling and top with another slice of bread. I usually spread the mixture on the bread first and make a sandwich - and then use a cookie cutter or knife to cut it into shapes. Most of the time I cut off the crusts and then slice diagonally to make two triangles. These sandwiches look very pretty, too.

The mix yields about two cups of filling. How many sandwiches that makes depends on how much filling you put in each sandwich.

Easy Homemade Salsa

This is another recipe from my sister, Debi. She and her husband Gregg, make this often for family get-togethers. It's fabulous! Here's a warning from Debi: "I highly suggest that you wear gloves while chopping the fresh jalapenos. For milder salsa, use less jalapeno. This keeps for only 3-4 days."

EASY HOMEMADE SALSA

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup lime juice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 or 2 chopped jalapeno peppers
1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Combine ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Ruth's Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

This is my mother’s recipe for cucumber/cream cheese sandwiches. She cuts these into circles or other shapes for special occasions - like a wedding reception, a luncheon, a bridal or baby shower. Everytime I’ve made them, people have asked for the recipe. They’re light-tasting and really REALLY good.

RUTH'S CUCUMBER & CREAM CHEESE SANDWICHES

2 (3 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese

2 Tablespoons grated onion

2 Tablespoons sour cream

2 medium cucumbers (peeled, grated and drained)

salt and white pepper to taste

bread slices

green food coloring (optional - just a drop or two to make the mixture a very pale green)

Combine all ingredients (except the bread slices) to make the filling. Stir until smooth. Cut thin slices of bread into the desired shapes and Spread with the filling and top with another slice of bread. I usually spread the mixture on the bread first and make a sandwich - and then use a cookie cutter or knife to cut it into shapes. Most of the time I cut off the crusts and then slice diagonally to make two triangles. These sandwiches look very pretty, too.

The mix yields about two cups of filling. How many sandwiches that makes depends on how much filling you put in each sandwich.

Sausage Balls

These are really good. I've had them twice in the past few months - once for a bridal shower, and then again for a Christmas party. Both times they werre a hit and every single one was eaten.


Sausage Balls

1 lb. ground sausage

2 cups Bisquick

3/4 lbs. sharp cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients together and knead well. Form into tiny balls. Chill. Bake about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 90 balls.

Crispy Cheese Wafers

Recently when I was in Georgia visiting my mother, we had a bridal shower for one of my nieces. My mother made these Crispy Cheese Wafers for the shower, and they were delicious! As a matter of fact, I had some of them for lunch that day.

Crispy Cheese Wafers

1/2 lb. sharp cheese, shredded

2 sticks butter

2 cups flour

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp red pepper

dash of chili powder

2 cups Rice Krispies

Mix all ingredients well and make into small balls. Place on a cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator in an airtight container.

BLT Bites

Here’s an easy appetizer to take to one of those many holiday parties:

BLT Bites

2 dozen cherry tomatoes

1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup mayonaise

1/3 cup green onion, chopped finely

3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

3 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped finely

Cut a small slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard the pulp. Invert the tomatoes on a paper towel to drain while you make the filling. In a small bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon into the tomatoes and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. You can garnish with a sprig of celergy or sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top.