How about the BEST appetizer to bring to a party?

I have a great recipe to share with you. I’ve making this dish for years and it’s usually gone in a flash. Serve with crackers or chips. It is a hit!

Cheesy Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (6 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (4 ounce) can Ortega Original Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles, drained
1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, mix artichoke hearts, marinated artichoke hearts, green chile peppers, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.

Spread the mixture in a small baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, until lightly browned and bubbly.

Thyme Lemon Sugar Cookies with Cardamom

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• Coarse sugar or granulated sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Beat the butter in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar until combined. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in thyme, lemon peel, lemon juice, and cardamom. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon. Knead until smooth; form mixture into a ball.

2. Divide dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6x4 1/2-inch rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick) on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 1 1/2-inch squares with a scalloped-edge pastry wheel. Sprinkle cutouts with coarse sugar. Place cutouts on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are just lightly brown. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Makes 36 cookies.

4. To store: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.

Sugar Cookies and Decorator's Icing

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
  
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  
• Heart-shaped cookie cutters

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter until smooth. Add the egg and the vanilla extract. Mix in the flour and lemon zest. Remove the dough from the mixer and press into a rectangular shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Remove from the refrigerator and cut dough into 1/3. Roll out dough, 1 piece at a time to a 3/16-inch thickness. Cut out as many large hearts as possible. Repeat with all of the dough. Cut a small heart out each of them.

Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Optional: Use adornments such as sprinkles and frosting or different color dough to send that “special message” to your loved one.

Decorator's Icing

Ingredients

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup shortening (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Directions

In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and water and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more water if needed for spreading consistency.