Fun Festive Fall Food

It's that time of the years when we do a lot of fun and yummy goodies.
Kids are back in school, there are backyard bonfires and cookouts, football parties, and even Mom & Dads coming home from a long day at work - looking for a treat as well.

I like to have things that can be eaten as a treat or as part of a meal.
Today I will give you a couple of my favorites.


CORN AND BLACK BEAN SALSA
15 oz. can of black beans (drained)
16 oz.  can of corn (drained)
3/4 C sweet onion, chopped
3/4 C bell pepper - chopped
1 C tomato - chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced (if you have it)
1 tsp. pepper
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1/4 C oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a large serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for 3 - 4 hours.
Great with tortilla chips or corn chips.  Fun with pitas or tortillas - or just in a bowl eaten with a spoon!
Pretty much ingredients that we all have on hand at anytime.
Great for cookouts, football parties or after school snacks - and pretty healthy too!!!!  Ssshhhh don't tell them that part!


MARSHMALLOW FRUIT DIP
(This is a family/friend favorite)
8 oz. pack of softened cream cheese
7 oz. jar marshmallow crème
1/4 c sugar
Mix together till smooth.  Great for dipping fruit of all types.  We especially like with apples, bananas and strawberries.  Also yummy with ginger snaps or vanilla wafer cookies.
This was always a MUST on our camping trips for munching away.

Another fall favorite - candy corn and salted peanuts mixed together!  Tastes like a Pay Day candy bar!


FALL CIDER
4 C apple cider
2 C cranberry juice
46 oz. can of apricot juice
1 C orange juice
3/4 C sugar
2 - small cinnamon stick
1 orange - peeled and sectioned
Pour ALL ingredients into a slow cooker and heat on low until warmed through.  Remove cinnamon sticks and orange sections before serving.
Serve warm.
This is good for football parties or campfires and cookouts.  Warm up a tummy after school on a nice cold day.  Pretty healthy too!
*You could even 'adult' it up with alcohol added to each glass.


CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL
8 oz. pack cream cheese - softened
1/2 C butter - softened
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar -  packed
3/4 C mini chocolate chips (or what you have)
3/4 C chopped pecans.
Cream  the cream cheese, butter and vanilla till fluffy.  Add sugars and mix well.  Fold in chips.  Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.  Shape into a ball and refrigerate one more hour.  Uncover and roll in pecans just before serving.
Yummy served with vanilla wafers or sugar cookies.  (I like it with pretzels too)
Makes a great snack, dessert, or cookout treat.


Hope this makes an afternoon or evening a little more enjoyable.
YUMMY IN YOUR TUMMY!