There is a Goblin in my Fridge!

Although it is not Halloween, I came across this recipe and had to post it!

Halloween is a great holiday to have a blast with food - we can give our food creepy names and dress it up too!

We do a family Halloween party and one of my Halloween Favorites is the Cheeseball Goblin - not only does he LOOK adorable but he tastes good!

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature, plus 2 (8-ounce) packages whipped cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 cups shredded mixed cheeses, such as cheeses for tacos
• Green food coloring
• 2 large tortilla chips
• 1 whole pepperoncini pepper
• 2 pimiento-stuffed olives
• 1 bell pepper, cut 2 thin strips and 6 small triangles
• 6 pitted green olives
• 20 small carrot sticks
• 3 cups shredded red cabbage
• Toothpicks

Directions

Place 2 packages of cream cheese, butter, and milk in a mixing bowl, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and combined. Add the shredded cheese and mix until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.

Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the refrigerator. Place the mixture on a piece of waxed paper and form the cheese ball into a head-like shape. Place 3 pieces of waxed paper around the edges of a serving plate, leaving open space in the center. Place the cheese in the center of the platter so some of it is right on the platter, but the edges are on the waxed paper. This will ensure that the platter does not get dirty while you make your goblin.

In a medium bowl, stir the remaining softened cream cheese until totally smooth. With a spatula, spread the whipped cream cheese over the head. It's O.K. if it's not totally smooth - this will give your goblin spooky skin.

Place a few drops of green food coloring in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix well. With a pastry brush, paint the tortilla chips with the food coloring until they are the desired color. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.

Once the chips are dry, press them into the sides of the cheese ball to form ears. Skewer the pepperoncini with a toothpick and then attach it to the center of the head to make a nose. Press the pimiento-stuffed olives into the head to form eyes. Use the 2 red bell pepper strips to make eyebrows. Take the pepper triangles and insert them into the holes in the pitted green olives. The green olives will serve as toes, and the red pepper strips will be scary toenails. Once the olives are assembled, press them into the bottom of the head to form the toes.

Press the carrot sticks into the head to form teeth. Leave them sticking out a bit to make scary teeth. It's O.K. if your carrot sticks are different lengths and thicknesses. Hold the head onto the platter with a spatula and gently pull away the waxed paper. Finally, press the cabbage into the top of the head to make hair.

Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.

Original Recipe from Paula Deen

Simple Mashed Veg - Get Creative!

I love my mashed potatoes but it was not until I was living in London that I began adding more to create a mashed veg instead of just mashed potatoes.

Simple easy and something a bit different and healthy too...if you watch the butter and salt :)...

Potatoes - try some new potatoes with skin on!
Swede - my absolute favorite - called Swede (aka Swedish Turnip) in the UK and Rutebegas in the US
Carrot - just for some color!
Jerusalem Artichoke - these are not your average artichoke



Boil and then mash ALL together with some liberal butter and salt and a little EVOO if needed...Personally, I use a hand masher so that it stays chunky and presents with great texture!

Protect Your Pets! Utah Spay & Neuter Clinic

The time had come when both of the little girl kitties needed to be spayed ... little Anabelle was making a ruckus all last week so we needed to find a place to get the kitties taken care of.  After some research on the internet, we spoke with the Utah County Spay and Neuter Clinic and we feel they deserve a mention here on the Beehive Blog.

Each kitty cost $35 for the procedure.  We dropped them early this morning and picked them up this afternoon.  The clinic even sent some kitty pain medication home with them.  The Utah County Spay and Neuter Clinic was a treat to deal with - all the employees were sweet and gave great information.  The Clinic was spotless and cheerful.  It was easy, affordable and the little fuzzy kitties are on their way to recovery, soon to be terrorizing the puppy and other cat in the house.

When we picked up the kitties this afternoon, they asked us to spread the word and we are happy to do so - if you have a cat or dog that is in need of spaying or neutering, please give them a call.  They are located in Orem at 801-404-5999.  You can also reach them through their website: No More Homeless Pets in Utah.

The tech this afternoon also said that they do shots/vaccines for all of the animals for $12/shot with a walk-in fee of $5.  Please confirm all the prices with them as it does vary according to what kind of animal that you have and the size.

The Beehive Blog would like to thank them for taking care of our wee little princess kitties!  We plan on using them again as we have a puppy that is next ... the stats are that 30,000 healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in Utah shelters every year.  Please keep them in mind if you have need!

Anabelle posing for Mommy Kim

Gracie in all her glory driving through Arizona