This Saturday my friend Dee and I will be hosting a Christmas party. Personally, I like variety and I know how to make a few crowd-pleasers. So, for this one we’re taking it easy, nd doing it up simple.

Sometimes simple is the best. But, I’m wondering: when it comes to party food does it have to be fancy? Or does variety trump elegant? Either way, I thought I’d share our plans for the menu. Most of it is stuff right out of a jar or a bag but I threw in a few recipes for you:

I have a few friend who LOVE Mexican. So for them we’ll be putting out a nacho spread:

• Festive red and green tortilla chips
• Taco Meat (just hamburger cooked with a packet of seasoning I prefer Schilling)
• Salsa (mild Pace is my favorite)

Queso Dip
1 Brick of Velveeta
1 Jar of Salsa

Cut cheese into cubes. Combine cubes and salsa in a microwave-safe dish. Melt for 30 seconds. Stir. Melt for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until melted and combined. Careful. This stuff is like lava after it’s done.

Guacamole
2 avocados, peeled and pitted, cubed or lightly mashed
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup sour cream (do not use light – gross)
2/3 cup mild salsa (I use Pace)
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt

I don’t think it really matters what order you put all of this stuff together, but I always combine the wet ingredients first. In fact, I usually combine them in the exact order I have them listed above. This is just where I start. Usually add a bit more of something or leave a bit of something out, depending on my mood or how big the avocados are.

• Cubes of French bread
• Spinach Dip (I use the recipe for Knorr spinach dip that is on the package of Knorr vegetable soup mix. But I leave out the water chestnuts and the green onions. )
• A beautiful variety of crackers

Bacon Cheese Ball
1 package of cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon onion salt
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons garlic salt
1/2 cup bacon bits (real bacon works best)
1/4 cup green onions chopped

Mix it all together good. This one is best if you let it sit overnight. (Warning this is a salty snack.)

• We’re also doing the standard veggie try with ranch dressing and some salami and cheese.
• Plus, I’m trying to work up some cocktails. We might do an egg nog and a hot apple cider. The problem is, I’ve never done either before unless it was out of a carton. I think it might be a bit of a disaster.

Anyone got some great punch, egg nog or apple cider recipes for me? Or even awesome (and easy) party food ideas. Help!

By Laura Tonkyn
For quite a few years, my favorite liquor store in Rapid City has made available a locally made Tom & Jerry batter for hot holiday rum drinks. Around Thanksgiving I stopped by, but the “Tom & Jerry man” hadn’t dropped off any supply. On my third try, I was lucky enough to buy some, although there was only six containers delivered, according to the store clerk.
I stopped by again recently and there was no supply. Oh, Tom & Jerry man, where are you?
I’m hoping our bloggers can come to the rescue with a Tom & Jerry batter recipe or two. Come to think of it, how about any favorite hot holiday drink recipe?