RITZ Candy Cane Caprese

Prep Time: 15 mins    Total Time: 15 mins    Makes: 10 servings

Ingredients

• 10 fresh mozzarella cheese slices (about 10 oz.)
• 10 salami slices (2 inch)
• 3 small tomatoes, cut into 10 slices
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup balsamic glaze
• 20 RITZ Crackers

Preparation

1. Alternate slices of cheese, salami and tomatoes in candy-cane shape on platter as shown in the photo.
2. Tuck basil leaves between ingredients on a platter.
3. Serve with crackers and balsamic glaze.

Tips

Substitute: Substitute Italian dressing or olive oil for the balsamic glaze.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 130 Calories, 8 g Total Fat, 4 g Saturated Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 25 mg Cholesterol, 200 mg Sodium, 9 g Total Carbohydrate, 9 g Dietary Fiber, 3 g Total Sugars (Includes 1 g Added Sugars), 6 g Protein

Enjoy this holiday season! Make every moment merrier with Nabisco Snacks. Be sure to check out My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese
• Frozen Phyllo Dough Shells OR Puff Pastry Shells
• Cranberry Sauce

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Lay out your phyllo shells on parchment paper on your baking sheet.
• Spoon in about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese and then top with 1 1/2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce.
• Bake for 15 minutes until your filling is hot.

Notes:

• That’s it, folks. So simple and look how pretty they are! Perfect for celebrating the holidays with your family and friends.
• These are great fresh out of the oven, but also equally delicious at room temperature.
• If you’d like them on the sweeter side or more of a dessert bite, you can add your favorite jam instead of cranberry sauce! YUM!

I used whipped cream cheese, because it spreads easily. If you use regular, make sure to let it soften a bit before using!

You can use store bought OR homemade. I’ll include my quick and easy recipe below. It’s SO GOOD! You’ll wonder why you’ve never tried homemade before.

They’re perfect for customizing as well! They would be amazing with Brie or White Cheddar Cheese in place of the cream cheese.

BONUS RECIPE: My Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce is EASY! This is my go-to recipe every holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest, optional but delicious!

• Let your ingredients come to a boil on the stove in a medium sauce pan.
• Simmer until most of the cranberries have burst.
• It naturally thickens on it’s own.
• Keep it chunky or give it a good whisking to smooth it out, depending on your preference.
• Stores in the fridge.

These appetizers are really simple and delicious. They’re crunchy, creamy, sweet, and tart all in one bite! I love them! I hope you try them out this holiday season!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

With the help of Nabisco, we bring you two recipes that are easy to make, and these delicious bites will keep everyone satisfied until dinner is served!

Triscuit Leftover Thanksgiving Bites

Prep Time: 9 Mins            Total Time: 9 Mins           Servings: 5

Ingredients:

• 12 TRISCUIT Crackers
• 4 oz. cooked turkey breast, cut into 12 slices
• 1 Tbsp. turkey gravy
• 3 Tbsp. prepared stuffing
• 3 oz. Brie cheese, cut into 12 slices
• 2 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Place crackers in single layer on baking sheet; top with next 3 ingredients.
3. Bake 3 to 5 min. or until heated through. Cover with cheese; bake 1 min.
4. Top with cranberry sauce.

Recipe Tips

• Use Your Microwave – Top crackers with next 4 ingredients. Place 4 topped crackers on microwaveable plate. Microwave on HIGH 10 sec. Repeat, in 2 batches, with remaining topped crackers. Top with cranberry sauce.
• Variation – Prepare recipe as directed, substituting your favorite leftover holiday green bean casserole for the stuffing.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 140, Total fat: 6 g, Saturated fat: 3 g, Trans fatty acids: 0 g, Cholesterol: 30 mg, Sodium: 210 mg, Carbohydrate: 10 g, Dietary fiber: 1 g, Total sugars: 2 g, Added sugars: 1 g, Protein: 10 g, Vitamin A: 4 %DV, Vitamin C: 0 %DV, Vitamin D: 0 %DV, Calcium: 4 %DV, Iron: 2 %DV, Potassium: 2 %DV

CHIPS AHOY! Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes

Prep Time: 20 min                 Total Time: 5 h 20 min                 Makes 24 servings

Ingredients

• 30 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies, divided
• 3 pkg. (8 oz. each) brick cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup sour cream 3 eggs
• 2¼ cups chopped baking apples (See Tip.) 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup caramel sauce

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 325ºF.
2. Place 1 cookie in each of 24 paper-lined muffin pan cups. Reserve remaining cookies for later use.
3. Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended.
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture over cookies in muffin cups.
5. Bake 12 min. (Cheesecakes will not be done.)
6. Meanwhile, chop remaining cookies; place in large bowl. Add apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon; mix lightly.
7. Spoon apple mixture carefully over cheesecakes. Bake additional 20 min. or until done. Cool completely.
8. Refrigerate cheesecakes 4 hours. Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.

Tips

• Apple Varieties – Look for apples that are firm and well colored with smooth, blemish-free skins. Choose the variety that best suits your needs. All-purpose apples for both eating raw and cooking uses include Cortland, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Fuji, Gravenstein, Empire, Jonagold, McIntosh, Pippin, Spy and Winesap. Best snacking and salad apples are Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. When cooking, use Rhode Island Greening, Rome Beauty or York Imperial.
• Variation – Prepare recipe using light sour cream and/or substituting Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese.
• Variation – Omit the caramel sauce. Sprinkle chilled cheesecakes lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 240 Calories, 16 g Total Fat, 8 g Saturated Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 60 mg Cholesterol, 150 mg Sodium, 22 g Total Carbohydrate, 0 g Dietary Fiber, 16g Total Sugars (Includes 13 g Added Sugars), 3 g Protein, 0 %DV Vitamin, 4%DV Calcuim, 6% DV Iron, 2%DV Potassium, 10 %DV Vitamin A, 0 %DV Vitamin C

Kick off Thanksgiving with these mouthwatering snack and appetizer recipes. Be sure to head over to your local Commissary to pickup all the ingredients!

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You will “wow the crowd” with these savory Ham, Cheese & Cranberry Toppers!

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 15 min Makes 6 servings, 4 topped crackers each.

Ingredients

24 RITZ Crackers

4 thick slices deli-style ham (4 oz.), each cut into 6 pieces

3 pepper Jack cheese slices (2-1/4 oz.), each cut into 8 pieces

3 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F.

Place crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet; top with ham and cheese. Bake 3 to 5 min. or until the cheese is melted.

Top with cranberry sauce and parsley.

Tips

Substitute

Prepare using RITZ Snowflake Crackers.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 140 calories, 7g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 20mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate, 0g dietary fiber, 5g total sugars includes 2g added sugars, 7g protein

If you’re looking for a “sweet treat”; Your guests will enjoy these OREO Pumpkin Spice Cookie Balls.

Prep time 20 min: Total time 1 hr 30min Servings Makes 48 servings.

Ingredients

1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened

36 OREO Cookies, finely crushed

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

3 pkg. (4 oz. each) white baking chocolate. melted

1 1/4 cups orange color sugar

12 pretzel sticks, each broken into 4 pieces

2 oz. green candy coating wafers

1/2 tsp. vegetable oil

Preparation

Mix cream cheese, cookie crumbs, and pumpkin pie spice until blended; roll into 48 (1-inch) balls.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment. Dip cookie balls, 1 at a time, in melted chocolate, then roll in colored sugar until evenly coated. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Insert 1 pretzel piece into the top of each for the pumpkin’s stem.

Microwave candy wafers and oil in a microwaveable bowl on HIGH 45 sec. to 1 min. or until the wafers are completely melted and the mixture is well blended, stirring every 30 sec.

Spoon into a disposable piping bag fitted with a decorating tip.

Cut a small piece off the tip of the bag; use it to add vines to pumpkins as shown in the photo.

Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm

Whether you’re planning a large party or hosting a few friends; Don’t forget to celebrate the small stuff. Dish out holiday happiness with Nabisco’s sweet and savory recipes!

Check out more Nabisco recipes by visiting https://www.mymilitarysavings.com/brands/nabisco/recipes

Ingredients:

• 3 Avocados
• 1/3 Cups Cilantro
• 1/3 Cups Red Onion
• 4 Tbsp Sun dried tomatoes in oil
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• Egg Roll Wraps
• Sweet Chili Sauce

Directions:

• Dice up Avocados
• Add all ingredients, but the Sweet Chili Sauce and Egg Roll Wrap, together into a bowl and mix together
• Add a large spoonful to an egg roll wrap, water the edges, and roll it up.
• Fry on each side until golden.
• Slice diagonally and serve with Sweet Chili Sauce

What Copy Cat Recipe do you want to learn next?

To stick with my resolution, I started to look for ideas outside of the box. I love having wings while watching football, and chips with dip are always a given. So I thought, what if I could combine my love for chicken wings and dip but still stick to the healthier side? I came across this TRISCUIT Easy Buffalo Chicken Spread which hit all the marks I was looking for. I get the crunch of the chips in the form of Triscuit Crackers, and my cravings for wings in the form of Buffalo sauce and shredded chicken. And this recipe leaves room to trade out ingredients for more healthy options (check the tips section for all those delicious details).

TRISCUIT Easy Buffalo Chicken Spread

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 1 hr 15 min Makes 3 cups spread or 24 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 6 crackers each.

What You Need

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel cheese, softened
• 1 container (5.3 oz.) plain nonfat Greek-style yogurt
• 3 Tbsp. Buffalo wing sauce
• 1 cup shredded white meat from 1 rotisserie chicken
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped, divided
• 2 Tbsp. crumbled blue cheese
• TRISCUIT Crackers

Make It

• Beat Neufchatel, yogurt and wing sauce in medium bowl with mixer until blended.
• Add chicken, celery and 3 Tbsp. onions; mix well.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Top with blue cheese and remaining onions before serving with the crackers.Tips

Tips

Rotisserie Chicken

Using a rotisserie chicken makes this delicious spread super easy to prepare. After shredding the 1 cup white breast meat needed to prepare this recipe, refrigerate the remaining chicken up to 2 days before using as desired.

Serving Suggestion

For added flavor and crunch, serve this flavorful spread with carrot and celery sticks in addition to the crackers.

Note

This delicious chicken spread can be refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.

Nutrition Notes

By using better-for-you products, including Neufchatel cheese, nonfat Greek-style yogurt and white meat chicken, we’ve made this version of the classic spread a smart choice for your next gathering with family or friends.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 160 calories, 6g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 15mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, <1g total sugars includes 0g added sugars, 6g protein, 2%DV Vitamin A, 0%DV Vitamin C, 0%DV Vitamin D, 2%DV calcium, 8%DV iron, 4%DV potassium

This dip was so easy to make! My husband had no idea I substituted for all the healthier options. So be sure to head down to your local commissary before the Big Game and grab all the ingredients for TRISCUIT Easy Buffalo Chicken Spread.

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. – Cicero

Lately, I have become a bit envious of past holidays. All the memories of times spent with extended family and all of our friends always brings a smile to my face. Now as the holidays are approaching, I have decided not to envy the past, but be thankful for what is to come this holiday season.

We just welcomed a new baby girl into our family this fall, and have decided that a small celebration in our home is in order during these uncertain times. I am so excited to start some new traditions with my family as well as bringing in our old traditions. Thanksgiving was always one of the biggest celebrations that we would hold at my parent’s house and I wanted to bring the same experience on a smaller scale in our home this year.

With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, my oldest daughter and I have already started prepping our menu. She really wanted to have a “fancy hors d’oeuvres” (she is obsessed with Fancy Nancy and using French words). So we scoured the world wide web for some new “fancy” ideas and found Ritz Smoked Gouda Toppers. If these aren’t “fancy” enough for a 5-year-old, I don’t know what is. After we put them all together, Anabelle gave them her signature 2 thumbs up.

Ritz Smoked Gouda Toppers

What You Need

• 2 tsp. butter
• 1 cup slivered onions
• 1-1/2 tsp. brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 24 RITZ Crackers
• 4 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, cut into 24 thin slices
• 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Make It

• Heat the oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter in a skillet on medium heat.  Add onions; cook 10 min. or until tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
• Add sugar; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until completely dissolved.  Remove skillet from heat.  Stir in thyme.  Set aside.
• Place crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet; top with cheese.
• Bake 3 to 5 min. or until the cheese is melted.
• Top with onions and cranberry sauce.

Tips

Special Extra

• Sprinkle with additional chopped fresh thyme before serving.

So head down to your local commissary and grab all the ingredients for these tasty “fancy hors d’oeuvres” today. Happy Thanksgiving!

My family and I LOVE Italian food, and that’s not surprising since I am part Italian, not to mention, I come from a long line of AMAZING Italian cooks, who have taught me well!

Unfortunately, with life being so crazy, I don’t always have the time to make a delicious home cooked Italian meal. That’s why I always have Armour Meatballs readily available in my freezer. I know nothing beats homemade meatballs but let’s be real, they take a lot of work! Thankfully, Armour Meatballs have that homemade taste and are delicious. Did I mention they take just a few minutes to cook?!? Yes, I said MINUTES!

Armour Meatballs are perfect for traditional sauces, pasta dishes, lasagnas and so much more. My family’s favorite?! Italian Meatball Grinders! Not only are they delicious, but so easy to make. With Armour Meatballs, I have a meal for my family in under 10 minutes! Definitely try this recipe for dinner or even parties – they are especially perfect for football games – trust me, they’ll be gone in minutes!

Italian Meatball Grinders

Ingredients

• 3 (14 ounce) cans pizza sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) jar apple jelly
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (14 ounce) package Armour® Original Meatballs, thawed
• 6 hoagie rolls, split lengthwise
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, mix pizza sauce, apple jelly, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil over medium heat.
2. Place frozen meatballs into the sauce mixture. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. While the meatballs are cooking, preheat oven to 375°F. Place the split hoagie rolls on a large baking sheet.
4. Place several meatballs and desired amount of sauce in each roll. Layer with mozzarella cheese. Place in the preheated oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

You can find Armour Meatballs in the frozen food section at your local Commissary ranging in price from $1.79-$2.99, and available in three different delicious flavors: Italian, Original and Turkey.  Keep your eyes peeled for a $0.35/1 coupon as well, making this deal a steal!

I don’t know about you, but my family and I can’t wait to cheer on TEAM USA! The games are set to start on February 9th and run for two weeks through February 25th. To make the game viewing even more fun, I bought some of our favorite OREO and CHIPS AHOY! Cookies at the commissary. I can’t wait  to make these super cute treats for the kiddos, (and, just to make sure I have enough, I bought the NEW Party Size packages – these have over 30% more than the Family Pack versions)! Needless to say, my kids were pretty ecstatic about that

For the first treat on our list, we are making these USA OREO Cookie Pops. These even double as a festive centerpiece for when you have guests over!

What You Need

• 12 OREO Cookies
• 8 oz. white candy coating wafers, melted
• Decorations: red, white and blue sprinkles; nonpareils; colored sugar; melted red and blue candy coating wafers; decorating icings or gels

Instructions

1. Insert wooden pop stick into filling in center of each cookie; place on parchment-covered baking sheet. Freeze 10 min.
2. Dip cookies, 1 at a time, in candy coating, turning to evenly coat all sides of each cookie with candy coating. Return to baking sheet.
3. Decorate as desired.
4. Refrigerate 30 min. or until candy coating is firm.

The second recipe calls for one of my other childhood favorite cookies, CHIPS AHOY! Just how cute are these Stars & Stripes CHIPS AHOY! Cookies!? They are sure to be a hit!

What You Need

• 2 oz. blue candy coating wafers, melted
• 12 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies
• 1 tsp. white nonpareils
• 2 oz. red candy coating wafers, melted
• 2 oz. white candy coating wafers, melted

Instructions

1. Spread blue candy coating onto 1/4 of each cookie as shown in photo; top with nonpareils.
2. Spoon red candy coating into resealable plastic bag. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of bag; use to pipe stripes onto cookies as shown in photo.
3. Repeat with white candy coating using separate bag.
4. Let stand 10 min. or until candy coatings are firm.

Variation

Substitute small white star-shaped candies for the nonpareils.

Now, this one just may be my favorite! I love this American Flag OREO Cookie Ball tray – if this doesn’t say “GO TEAM USA” then I don’t know what does!

What You Need

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
• 1 pkg. (19.1 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed
• 5 oz. blue candy coating wafers, melted
• 4 tsp. white sprinkles
• 15 oz. red candy coating wafers, melted
• 1 oz. white candy coating wafers, melted

Instructions

1. Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended; shape into 60 (1-inch) balls. Place on waxed paper-covered rimmed baking sheet. Freeze 10 min.
2. Dip 15 cookie balls in blue candy coating, turning to evenly coat each ball with candy coating. Return to baking sheet. Immediately top with sprinkles. Dip remaining cookie balls in red candy coating. Return to baking sheet.
3. Refrigerate 1 hour or until candy coating is firm.
4. Arrange cookie balls on platter, in 6 rows of 10 balls each, to resemble the American flag as shown in photo. Drizzle melted white candy coating in stripes over rows of red-coated cookie balls.
5. Special Extra: Add a row of OREO Cookies for the flag pole.

Variation

Substitute melted white candy coating wafers for the red candy coating wafers, dipping the cookie balls in the white candy coating before drizzling with the melted red candy coating.

These are just a few of the recipe creations I’m trying with the new OREO and CHIPS AHOY! Party Packs. Be sure to look for them in the cookie aisle during your next trip to the Commissary! For more delicious ideas, visit www.MyMilitarySavings.com