Merpy New Chrisyear!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! What a fun fun fun Christmas we had. Our family drew names, so there were far less gifts, but much more time to eat good food. It worked out perfectly! It was wonderful having Nate and Heather home for a couple of days, and James is hanging out yet for another turkey dinner at Grandma Ann's. At least I think it's turkey, we're in charge of relish.

Here was our Christmas appetizer buffet:
1 smoked turkey, a batch of rumaki - half shrimp, half smoked oyster, pecan crusted artichoke dip, dried beef spread, bacon tomato dip, shrimp/cocktail sauce, pizza fondue, pickle wraps (a family tradition), cream cheese with jalapeno jelly, olives, a plethora of crackers and bread sticks, coconut bon bons, chocolate craisin squares, a festive red punch, egg nog with rum, an assortment of adult beverages, freshly ground coffee, and anything else that we could find to toss out there! I realized the next day that I forgot the fresh vegetables (probably to healthy) and summer sausage & cheese. Oh well, we're enjoying them now!

I think one of the favorites was the Pizza dip, so that is what I'm posting today. Hope you try it!

Pizza Fondue
1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms (I did not add these)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp fennel seed
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
2 cans -15oz pizza sauce
10 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped ripe olives
1/2 cup white zinfandel wine (any kind would probably work)
plain bagels and/or ciabatta bread cut into bit size chunks

In a large skillet cook the beef, mushrooms, onion and garlic over med heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in fennel, oregano, Italian seasoning and pizza sauce. Cook for a couple of minutes and stir in wine and cheeses until melted. Last add the olives and transfer to a fondue pot or small crock pot for dips. Keep warm and serve with chunks of bread. Tortilla chips might be good as well, hm-mm. If it gets a little thick you can add more wine.

I might do this again for New Years Eve OR for the big HUSKER football game New Years Day.