Recipes by Squidoo

Peppered Crackers

(A.K.A. Redneck Crackers)

Don't be deceived by how simple these crackers sound. Trust me they are delicious and loved by almost everyone who tries them. I have eaten several variations but had never made these crackers until recently. Wow! They were super easy to make and were a major hit. You can't beat this for a simple no-cooking snack!

1 1/2 cups canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix (like hidden Valley)
2 Tbsp. ground red pepper
2-3 sleeves saltine crackers
Mix together the oil, ranch dressing mix, and red pepper. Using gallon ziplock bag or bowl with tight lid, add 2 sleeves of saltine crackers to oil mixture. Gently toss together in closed bowl or bag until crackers are well-coated. (If there's extra oil mixture left, add more crackers from 3rd sleeve and toss). Lay out in single layer on paper towels to dry. Check back in a little while and crackers will be ready to eat. Store in tightly closed container.

Cheese-Beer Dips--Find Your Favorite!

Great for Game Days

Some of these recipes do require melting cheese in the microwave (so technically we're cheating a little bit on the no-cooking theme), but these are easy and great recipes to serve with chips, crackers, or even cut-up vegetables.

Beer-Cheese Dip from Kraft

Beer-Cheese Dip recipe with only 5 ingredients that only takes 5 minutes to put together!

Cheesy Beer Dip

Another cheesy beer dip from kraft that is basically Cheez-Whiz and Beer (another 5 minute recipe)

VELVEETA Spicy Buffalo Beer Dip recipe

A 10 minute recipe that includes hot pepper sauce for buffalo wings to spice it up.

Cream Cheese and .......

The Options are Endless

Cream cheese is a staple item on my grocery list. At holiday time I really stock up because with the addition of simple ingredients and crackers an appetizer is always at hand. My favorite is cream cheese and pepper jelly. Just spoon pepper jelly (red or green, mild or hot) over the block of cream cheese, surround it with crackers and you are done. (If you've never tried it, just give it a chance).
Another good snack: chop up a can of smoked oysters (you should drain these on paper towels first), and a small jar of drained pimentos. Mix with an 8 ounce block of cream cheese that has been brought to room temperature. Roll into a log in wax paper (you can also roll this log in chopped pecans if you want) and refrigerate. Serve with Triscuits or other snack crackers.
Or, you can top the cream cheese with salsa, or with Pick-a-Peppa Sauce (this may be regional), or with cocktail sauce. You might throw a can of salad shrimp on there before you pour on the cocktail sauce. You get the idea; use your imagination. You can't go wrong with cream cheese. Trust me.

Easy Chicken Cheese Ball

This is delicious and can be varied to suit ingredients you may have on hand. (This is my go-to recipe...I keep the ingredients on hand all the time and can put this together in under five minutes. While it is best after it sits a while in the refrigerator and the flavors have a chance to blend together, it is still pretty darn good as soon as it's made!)

1 can white chicken meat (about 5 oz)
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix (like Hidden Valley)
1/2 onion diced very small
1/4 -1/2 cup pecan pieces

Mix all ingredients except pecans together. Once ingredients are well mixed, place on plastic wrap and use the wrap to help you shape into a ball. Roll the ball in the pecans to coat and you are done. Refrigerate till ready to serve. Add crackers and you are done. (If you like you can skip the making a ball stage and put it into a nice dish and serve as a spread. Sprinkle a few of the pecans on top, and provide crackers).

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Also Known as Southern Caviar

There are numerous variations on this recipe, but this one is easy and delicious.

Can diced tomatoes, drained
Can black-eyed peas, drained
1 green pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 small bottle zesty Italian dressing
Jalapenos, chopped (to taste) ...Or you can skip this and use Rotel tomatoes (with green peppers) for the diced tomatoes

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate. Serve with Frito Scoops or other chips or crackers of your choice.

BLT Dip

There are variations on this recipe, but this one is really good. This dip is always a favorite and can be put together in under 5 minutes.

2 cans Ro-tel tomatoes, drained
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (8 oz.) sour cream
1 pkg.Oscar Mayer (or other) real bacon bits. (You can also fry a pound of bacon, crumble and use instead of bacon bits, but then you're cooking).

Mix all ingredients together and refriegerate. Serve cold with corn chips or tortilla chips.

Corn Dip

Super easy, but super good.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (12 ounce) shredded cheddar cheese
1 can Mexicorn (drained)
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate several hours. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.