Girls' Night

Hmmm...the last Girls' Night Out for me was...probably in 1984, before our oldest daughter was born. No, wait...went to a play with the 'girls' this fall...Anyway, one of my friends from school hosted a 'Sex in the City' Party in her home. What a fun idea! These are the women that I have taught with, and we have been friends for 30 years. There are so few of us experienced teachers left. I eat lunch with teachers that have mothers my age! You already know that I teach FACS...other departments represented here...social studies, gifted, foreign language, science, business, the registrar, and the librarian. Can you guess who does what at school?!

Lots of great food, of course...my favorite to make for the holidays...

Festive Crab Dip

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

Cocktail sauce

Crab meat, flaked

Fresh Parsley

Place brick of cream cheese (lowfat, please) on a pretty serving plate. Drizzle cocktail sauce over the cream cheese. Arrange flaked crab meat on and around the cocktail sauce. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Now, you can see why this is my favorite...It's attractive and takes only about 10 minutes to prepare. These are ingredients that you can buy ahead and have on hand throughout the holiday season.

One of the girls brought these...

Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks

8 slices Bacon

16 Breadsticks, garlic flavored

3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Cut bacon slices in half lengthwise. Wrap half slice of bacon diagonally around each breadstick. Combine Parmesan and parsley in shallow dish; set aside. Place 4 breadsticks on double layer of paper towels in microwave oven. Microwave on high 2 to 3 minutes or until bacon is cooked through. Immediately roll breadsticks in Parmesan mixture to coat. Repeat with remaining breadsticks.

OK, this recipe is also fast to make and uses ingredients that you have in your refrigerator and pantry.

And who said chips and dip weren't good for you? These with flax and sesame seeds actually had some vitamins and minerals listed.

Yummy with...

Green Olive Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

Small jar stuffed green olives

Heaping tbsp. mayonnaise

Onion, to taste

Drain olive, reserving some liquid. Chop olives and onion. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and some of the olive liquid to desired dipping consistency. Stir in olives and onions. Serve as a dip or as a spread on bread or crackers.

Now, here is the best tip of the night. Substitute TOFU for the cream cheese in this dip and it is delicious. My friend recently found out that she is allergic to milk and milk products and was forced to make these changes, however, allergy or not, this is a change that will benefit everyone.

There was only one boy at the party. His name is Cole. I think he is smiling here...and why wouldn't he...he's surrounded by lots of women and good food.