Simple Tex-Mex dip

This is my daughter's favorite appetizer


1) Take one 8 oz. slab of cream cheese and put it on the counter
2) Go watch 'Scrubs'
3) At the first commercial break, turn your oven on to 350
4) At the second commercial break, spread cream cheese over bottom of 11x7 pan (28x17 for you Canucks)
5) At the end break, open up a can of Hormel Chili (no beans) and pour it over the cream cheese
6) Scrubs never does a tag, so you'll also have time to pour half a bag or so of shredded taco cheese over it, and slide it in the oven.
7) Go watch '30 Rock'
8) At the first commercial break, take it out of the oven, and carry it into the living room with a bunch of paper napkins under one arm, and a bag of tortilla chips held in your teeth
9) dump all the stuff onto the coffee table
10) eat until bedtime
(optional: at second commercial break, tell one of your kids to get you a drink)

This might also work with other programs, such as 'Lost,' 'American Idol,' or '24,' but remember: break times vary.

yeharr

Salmon Soup

Just for you, Balloon Pirate!

Empty one can of salmon into large saucepan. Break it apart, then fill pan with water. (I usually use a 3 quart saucepan... just use whatever size you need and add enough water to serve the number of people you are feeding). Add about 1 tsp salt, some black pepper (fresh ground is best), and 2 to 4 T of butter or margarine. Cook until hot. Break LOTS of saltine crackers into the bowl of soup, let them soften & expand, then enjoy.

One can of salmon makes enough soup for 5-10 people.

And as I tell my kids... yes, you DO eat the bones in it. They're good for you. If they make it into your bowl, they are yours. So eat them. NOW.

If you're cheap like my parents, you can substitute a can of mackerel instead of salmon. No it's not nearly as good. But it is cheaper. Or you can save the mackerel for that fluffy mackerel recipe instead. Your choice.