Pepperoni Pizza Spread

 

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes where I found a yummy dip for you to munch away your post-election elation or disappointment.  Who needs the crust on the pizza?  You certainly will not miss it with this dip.  I am a huge fan of stuffed green olives, and adding them to this spread amplifies the flavor.  It is ooey, gooey and so delicious.

 

 

Recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Spread
 

Adapted from a recipe by Connie Millonovich, of Cudahy, Wisconsin as printed in a Taste of Home Recipe.
 

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup chopped pepperoni

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup copped green pepper

1 can (6 ounces) ripe olives, drained and chopped

1/2 cup stuffed olives (the green kind)

 

Crackers, bread sticks, French Bread, or vegetables for spreading

 

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the ingredients for spreading.  Transfer to a baking dish, 11-1/2  x 7-inch or similar baking dish,  Bake uncovered for 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until edges are bubbly and lightly browned.  Serve with crackers, bread sticks, French Bread, or vegetables for spreading.

  



Just a fun picture of my son and his Halloween mask.  He put it on for some friends the other night.  He would put it on and then do a dance that just cracked me up.

 



Our little friend December wearing the mask and doing his dance.

 



 

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes.  You will love this spread.

 

Zoulah Wishes You a Happy Hallowen!

Zoulah wants to wish you the happiest Halloween from Red Couch Recipes!

 



 

 

 I am wishing for trick or treaters.  We live on acreage and most trick or treaters don't come our way.  Only four tonight. 

 

My sixteen year old is hosting a Harry Potter party with a friend tonight.  We made ciokies these last night for the party.  They were quite independent about this party.  They planned, invited, shopped, decorated, and cooked and baked, for the most part, on their own!  I will show you their table display at a later date.

 

 

I know for some it is not a very Happy Halloween because of Hurricane Sandy.  In Northern Virginia, where my husband is working, today they are back at work.  He fared pretty well.  We pray for those who are not so fortunate.

 

 



Parmesan Tomato Basil Soup

 

 

Zoulah welcomes you to Red Couch Recipes! 

 

You can tell that  winter is approaching the Red Couch home.  Today I tarped the dog run where the chicken coop is so that the chickens can't get out.  I also winter fertilized the lawn, and pulled away all the dead flowers and greenery that died because of the freezing night temperatures.  Tonight we served a delicious warming soup for dinner.  This soup is so rich and flavorful that even my non-soup lovers like it.  It has four different vegetables that give this soup an irresistible flavor.  I highly recommend it.  This is the second time that Zoulah has made this for the Red Couch family.  It is perfect for a chilly evening.

 

 

I served the soup in these little bakers from Michael's that I bought last year.  I added a few croutons and a bit of pepper; I am a huge pepper fan!

 

 

 

Recipe for Crock Pot Parmesan Tomato Soup

 

 Ingredients

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

 

Directions:
1. Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. Or you can use a large dutch oven on the stove top.

2. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.  If using a dutch oven, bring ingredients to boil and then simmer until vegetables are soft for about 15 minutes.

3. About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker or dutch oven.  Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  If using a slow cooker, you may wish to add more spices because the spices may weaker during the long cooking period

4. If using a slower cooker, cover and cook on low for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve. If you are using a dutch oven, just cook until all the ingredients are incorporated, and the soup has thickened.

 

Zoulah's Notes:  One of the Red Couch children is tomato-phobic, so Zoulah took the tomatoes and ran them in a food processor for a few minutes.  She found this recipe on Pinterest which was from the blog Random Thoughts and Thrill hosted by Debbie.  Zoulah has made this for us twice.  The first time she used regular half and half and the second time she used fat-free half and half.  We didn't notice a difference between the two.

It is a tradition of the Red Couch Family to serve spider bread at least once during the Halloween season -- tonight was the night.   Sometimes he comes out looking like a sea turtle with a few extra legs, but we love him.  The head usually is the first thing to go.

 

 

We carved a few pumpkins over the weekend.  This one was carved by Tati.

 

 

I carved the ghost and did the drilling on the "disco ball" one.  My girls kept on spilled it, and it had the effect of a disco ball.

 

 

We made quicky and scary Halloween pumpkins for a church Halloween party.

 

 

 

Please turn your thoughts and prayers towards those in "Frankenstorm's" path. My husband who is living in Northern Virginia was told not to come to work today and tomorrow.  Today they lost power for awhile, but it is back on.  I do not think that Northern Virginia will be hit as hard as other areas.  He said he went to the store to get some peanut butter and bread so he would have something to eat if the stores close down!

 

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes.