MY HOT CREATIVE MIND

My big challenge this week - How do I incorporate all these party leftovers into good meals? I feel I've done myself proud, three for three!!

ARTICHOKE DIP:
I had a large amount of artichoke dip leftover. I reheated it in a saucepan, thinned it with half & half, butter, and stirred in a cut up boneless skinless chicken breast and bright green frozen peas. Served it over fresh linguine with garlic bread, and it was HEAVENLY, if I do say so myself!!

FRESH SALSA:
I also had a large bowl of my fresh chickpea salsa. I started with a cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, cut up into bite sized pieces. I put a large flour tortilla in a pan with a small amount of hot oil, sprinkled it with chicken pieces and a good amount of the salsa, topped high with shredded cheese. I turned the heat down low so that the tortilla crisped up nicely and the cheese melted. QUICK AND DIRTY!!

JALAPENO MEATBALLS:
Reheated and piled deep onto a big sub roll, topped with barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese, put into the oven for awhile to crisp up the roll and melt the cheese. Served with crunchy crisp kettle chips. AWESOME!!!

MEAT!!!
I'm becoming desperate to sink my teeth into a big rare piece of beef. I might fix myself prime rib on Christmas day. No company, no event - just me and my prime rib with spicey horseradish sauce. Perhaps a baked potato loaded with butter. Yum!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST -
Yesterday I went Christmas shopping for the first time this season. Today I'm going to Galleria in Edina to power shop. If I don't give myself much time, I take it more seriously. I have that quality often given to men - I work great under pressure!! ONWARD. . . SPEND!!!