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Image of pizza bites on a plate.
Warm up with comforting winter classics!

Recipes of the Week: It’s Dips, Bites, and Bombs Away!

Whipping up family favorites all winter long is a perfect activity to keep loved ones warm in the kitchen while avoiding the bitter chill outdoors. Delicious, heartwarming snacks offer a simple and savory way to bring everyone in from the cold while enjoying comforting flavors together.

Image of Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups of your favorite store-bought tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, divided
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, divided
1/8-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 log (10-10 1/2 ounces) goat cheese, softened at room temperature
2 teaspoons olive oil, plus additional for brushing, divided
1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
kosher salt, divided
pepper
1 large baguette, sliced on bias
blistered tomatoes, for serving (optional)

Position one rack in upper third of oven and one in lower third.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Spray small, round baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Add sauce to small bowl.

Grate in two garlic cloves then add 1/8 cup basil and red pepper flakes.

Stir to combine then pour sauce into baking dish.

Smash goat cheese log into ball. Place ball between two sheets plastic wrap. Using hands, flatten cheese into thick, round disc about 1 inch smaller in diameter than baking dish. Remove goat cheese from plastic wrap and place in center of sauce. Drizzle cheese with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Sprinkle with fresh thyme, kosher salt and pepper. Bake on lower rack, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is warmed through.

Place baguette slices on baking sheet. Drizzle or brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake crostini on upper rack 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. When bread is done, remove from oven, cut last garlic clove in half and rub cut side on bread.

Top dip with remaining basil and blistered tomatoes, if desired, and serve with crostini.

Note: To make blistered tomatoes: Heat skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add 1 pint cherry tomatoes to dry skillet and let sit 1 minute. Lower heat to low, toss tomatoes with 2 teaspoons olive oil and cook 2-3 minutes, or until tomatoes are about to burst. Remove from heat; sprinkle with pinch of salt and pepper.

Image of polenta bites.

Polenta Bites

Polenta Bites
1 tube (18 ounces) polenta
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 jar (24 ounces) of your favorite store-bought tomato sauce
1 package (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella
2 sprigs, rosemary, destemmed and chopped
3 basil leaves, chopped
1 block (8 ounces) hard Parmesan cheese

Cut polenta into slices.

In skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat

Fry polenta slices 10-12 minutes on each side until crispy and golden brown.

In saucepan over medium heat, warm sauce.

Place polenta slices on tray and sprinkle with mozzarella. Place 1/2 teaspoon warm sauce on each slice then sprinkle with chopped rosemary and basil. Grate hard Parmesan onto each slice for topping.

Image of snowman pizza bites.

Snowman Pizza Bites

Snowman Pizza Bombs
1 tube (11.8 ounces) pizza dough
1 jar (24 ounces) of your favorite store-bought tomato sauce
1 package (6 ounces) pepperoni slices
1 package (6 ounces) Canadian bacon slices
1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 package (8 ounces) mozzarella cheese slices

Decorative vegetables (optional)
multi-colored sweet peppers
olives
spinach
mushrooms
cherry tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Cut pizza dough into 12 squares. On each square, place 1/2 teaspoon sauce and evenly top with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and cheddar cheese.

Pinch corners of dough together to round into balls then place in muffin tins.

In small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder and Italian seasoning; brush generously over dough balls.

Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from muffin tin and carefully shape dough balls into circles; place on baking sheet. Cover with mozzarella slices and bake until melted.

Create snowman faces by decorating each with peppers, olives, spinach, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, if desired.

Use remaining sauce for dipping.

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