Fantabulous Food: Baby Shower Munchies Menu

My mom is throwing a baby shower for a friend of ours today and I wanted to help out with the food - actually, this was just a nice excuse to try a few recipes that sounded delicious :) Since summer is a time for gatherings and parties, I figured you all might like to get in on this awesome recipe action as well. So, I am making 3 different recipes today and I will list them in the order that they should be cooked.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs by Our Best Bites:
This recipe is seriously the easiest thing ever - it's almost shaming to admit to you how easy it is. Keep in mind I made a double batch, so my pictures will show a larger quantity than I list below.
Ingredients:

• 12 oz jar Heinz Chili Sauce
• 16 - 18 oz jar Grape Jelly
• 2 lbs Frozen Meatballs

1. Combine jelly and chili sauce in a bowl and whisk until smooth. If the mixture is still really lumpy, put it in the crock pot to warm it up and mix it.

2. Put frozen meatballs in crock pot and pour sauce over top. Stir meatballs to make sure they are evenly coated. Cover crock pot and back on Low for 2 to 5 hours.

Seriously, that's it. Just make sure you start these long enough before your party to make sure they are fully cooked and the sauce has reduced to a glaze :)

Mini Corn Dog Muffins by Iowa Girl Eats:
This is a recipe I have wanted to try for a while - thank you Pinterest! While you could do the same idea and just use jiffy cornbread mix or whatever cornbread recipe you prefer, this recipe shows how to make it from scratch and it's really easy so I opted to go with the original recipe.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8-10 hot dogs cut into 1" pieces

1. Combine sugar with melted butter and whisk until smooth. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Add buttermilk and whisk until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking soda and salt. Stir until combined.

3. Add half of dry mixture into wet mixture and whisk until combined. Add the rest and whisk until combined.

4. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon out teaspoon sized blobs into a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

5. Press a hot dog piece into the middle of each corn muffin. Bake for about 10 minutes until edges are a little brown.

That's it! These honestly took maybe 10 minutes of prep time and that was to make 2 batches worth :) And I highly recommend making the corn muffin from scratch - it was super easy and delicious.

Garlic Artichoke Dip by Our Best Bites:
This one I didn't start until about 45 minutes before the party started so it would be hot and fresh when everyone arrived.
Ingredients:

• 1 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup (packed) fresh shredded Parmesan cheese]
• 1 12-oz jar MARINATED artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 6-7 cloves garlic, minced

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese.

2. Gently add in chopped artichokes and mince garlic.

3. Place in a 9" pie plate and back for 25-30 minutes until it's lightly browned and bubbly on top.

Another very easy recipe that came out fantastic! This stuff (along with the baked brie - another Our Best Bites recipe) was the hit of the party.

So, hopefully you enjoy all these recipes and they come in handy for any of your summer get togethers :) We really enjoyed these and they are very quick and easy. Definitely give them a try!