Easy Veggie Bars

We've had sunshine today.  Glorious therapeutic sunshine, man, I'm so ready for Spring.

Today's recipe is a solid favorite, and would be an excellent appetizer for your Final Four party madness.  Did I mention it's ultra easy?  Plus we can all pretend that since its covered in veggies, it's totally guilt-free.

I've taken it to many gatherings and I'm always left with an empty pan and requests for the recipe.  Flakey crescent roll crust, a layer of garlicy creaminess, and fresh crunchy veggies.  They all pair perfectly for a scrumptious, crowd pleasing finger food.

Make this, and enjoy that sunshine!

Easy Veggie Bars by Bliss From Scratch, inspired by my friend Kari Meeker | Printable Version Note: I halved this recipe for my photos. 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls 12 oz cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup mayonnaise 1 bunch green onions, sliced small 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt 5 cups finely chopped veggies, use whatever you like; broccoli, carrots, olives, sweet red peppers, radishes, cauliflower, etc.  Gently unroll crescent rolls, keeping them attached in their rectangular shapes, and gently press into a large ungreased cookie sheet.  They may not cover the entire pan.  Bake at the temperature shown on the package for 10-12 minutes until golden.  Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, finely chop/dice veggies.  In a small bowl combine softened cream cheese, mayo, green onions and garlic salt.  Spread on cooled dough.   Spread chopped veggies evenly over top of cream cheese covered crust, very gently press to help the veggie stick.  Cut into bars and serve immediately or refrigerate.  Can be chilled for hours in advance or even over night.  Enjoy!

Cashew Chicken Salad Croissants

Today I've got another recipe from my Brinn's birthday party.  

I was introduced to these croissants sandwiches by my Mom and sister Shawny a few years ago, and its been true love ever since.  They pack such a symphony of textures and flavors; light crunchy cashews and sweet fresh fruit balance perfectly with creamy shredded chicken.  All enclosed in a flakey, buttery croissant. 

Ham and Swiss Sliders with Sweet Poppy Seed Glaze

Today I give the gift of ease.

And these little devils are gloriously good. 

Pani Popo, Samoan Coconut Rolls

Dinner rolls are indeed a sacred Thanksgiving staple.  Each year I mostly serve up the same traditional dishes, but I try to mix it up and add a few new ones too.        

These hover somewhere between the status of roll and dessert, and to be frank, they're da bomb. 

   

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

It snowed today.  First snow of the season, and a frigid cold day.

So the girls and I huddled inside and baked.

Caramelized Onion, Chicken, Bacon, Blue Cheese and spicy Honey Mustard Pizza- aka "The Incident".

No.  This recipe title could not possibly be longer.  I had no other choice, this pizza needed an introduction that could give you a proper glimpse into its glorious flavor complexity.  It has been my phantom pizza.  Many times attempted, and now at long last perfected. 

"The Incident" background: Once upon a time, I tried an exotic brick oven pizza that I have since felt was my mission in life to recreate.  Here it is, and you're welcome.  The end. 

The Galaxy's Best- Easy Dinner Rolls.

I meant what I said.  These pillowy rolls are so easy to make- no kneading, no letting them rise three times, or any of that nonsense.  They are perfectly fluffy, yeasty, and need no further introduction.  My only stipulation is that you try one hot out of the oven, schmear on some butter, and promptly die and go to heaven.

Bruschetta

Can something so simple actually taste this phenomenal?  You bet.  If you're lucky enough to pull some vine ripened tomatoes off of your very own plant or to snatch some seasonal ones up at your local farmers market.  Then in terms of Bruschetta, you've won the lottery.  But for the rest of us subjected to dire predicament of shelf ripened grocery produce- inhale deeply and know that even inferior tomatoes can produce knock-your-socks-off Bruschetta.  The real knitty gritty is that I've never once not loved this stuff.  Reward yourself and whip up a batch, you'll thank yourself later.

Brick-oven-like Pizza, at home.



The heavens have opened my friends.  Fabulous home made brick-oven-like pizza is rather easy.  Yes I said it.  Easy!  Albeit I will admit that my path to painless pizza making has not been purely smooth sailing.  A low point being five bowls of various yeast proofing experiments, which speaks volumes doesn't it?  However that is where my well earned tips and tricks will invariably help you to meet with much success.  Before you know it you'll be steering clear of the frozen pizza aisle & deleting the delivery pizza chains from your cell phone contacts list.  That's right.  This is life altering folks.