Love My Philly

I love to celebrate the weekend with a few friends, a dinner out and cocktails. It’s always so lovely to get together with friends for a meal. In my book, there’s nothing better. But when the weekend rolls around, I can’t eat out for every meal. My pocketbook simply won’t allow it. To make sure that I have enough funds to carry me through my weekend dinners with friends, I like to make sure that I prepare some delicious snacks and lunches at home. With just a few simple ingredients from the grocery store and the farmer’s market, I can prepare myself some deliciously healthy snacks that keep me satisfied and won’t break the bank.

Here are a few of my favorite simple weekend lunches and snacks.

Chicken and Slaw Sandwich- I’ll admit, I’m a huge fan of broccoli slaw. I just love the stuff. This recipe uses broccoli slaw on a chicken sandwich to create a super healthy and satisfying lunch.

Turkey Cheese Pockets- A deliciously warm and melty turkey sandwich inside of a fresh baked biscuit. What could be better!?

Mini Florentine Cups- These are a perfect mid afternoon snack and are also great if you’re having a few people over for cocktails before you head out for dinner. This healthy and elegant snack easily translates into a classy appetizer.

A smart snack that’s high in Vitamin A and C; rthis dish can work as a utility appetizer and will appeal to those health nuts looking for a bite of their own.  An awesome alternative to those fried foods that come before the main dish.

Prep Time:
10 min

Having friends over for game day can be exciting, but if you’re looking for more than your traditional chips and salsa, dips are a great way to spice things up in the middle of a game. Here are five great dips that are sure to please fans.

Buffalo Chicken Dip - This traditional dip serves great with celery sticks or wheat thins crackers.

Shrimp Cocktail Dip - This dip is quick and easy to make.  Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese and it’s sure to be a hit.

Philly Cheesy Pizza Dip - This dip is just as tasty as it sounds.  Just spread cream cheese on a plate, top with pizza sauce, add the rest of the ingredients on top, and serve with your favorite cut up vegetables or ritz crackers. 

Philly Tomato-Basil Dip - This dip will add some zest to your game day.  This dip is easy to make and you may substitute cream cheese for Neufchatel cheese.

Spiced Cranberry Dip - Cranberries are a great pairing with cream cheese.  Mix in orange marmalade, ground red pepper, and sprinkle almonds on top, and you have a great dip with some spice to it.

You’ll be able to savor every bite of this tasty dip. Each 2-Tbsp. serving goes a long way on flavor.  Perfect for weekend get togethers and a great appetizer for any occassion.

Prep Time:
5 min

When you think of cream cheese your immediate reaction might bring thoughts of bagels, but there’s so many other foods that go hand in hand with Philly! Who would have thought that cream cheese can be used with your ‘out of the ordinary’ munchies? Now you can complete your favorite snacks while dipping. Here are some favorite dippers you haven’t thought about.

Hot Cheetos - Drop your inhibitions and try the delightful mixture of hot spice and cool creamy.

Lemon Flavored Tortilla Chips - Change things up a bit, try Philly’s 1/3 less fat Neufchatel Cream Cheese and let the lemon spice take over.

Beef or Turkey Jerky - It might sound tasteless at first but give it a try!  It’s truly hard to refuse.

Bananas - Whether having a party or just hanging out, it’s quick and easy. Add strawberries to keep those tastebuds in line.
 
Roasted Peanuts and Sunflower - Sprinkle them into a cup of Philly cream cheese soft and enjoy the pleasant taste of your own trail mix.

Labor Day is almost upon us. Haven’t had time to grocery shop, much less prepare a menu? Well, you’re in luck. Leave it to this Philly blogger to serve up good eats and treats to make your Labor Day celebration a little less laborious. Try these recipes below to serve a Labor Day feast your friends and family won’t soon forget.

Awesome BBQ Burgers
The recipe calls for veggie burgers but go ahead and use ground beef. Throw ‘em on the grill and get ready to sink your teeth into the best burger you’ve ever had.

Red Velvet Cake
Patriotic holidays are always ideal for flag cake , but by the time Labor Day rolls around it’s like, “been there done that.” Pay tribute to the red, white, and blue with this red velvet cake and add some blueberries on top.

Herb Dip
Fat Free Philly, low-fat yogurt, a couple of herbs and spices; that’s all it takes to make this yummy dip. It’s perfecting for dipping your veggies in. Serve this to your guests to stave off hunger while they wait for the ribs, hamburgers, and hot dogs to come off the grill.

Quick Cheesecake Cones
The feast is over and you and your family are finally starting to come out of your food coma; that means it’s time for ICE CREAM! Serve up some good ol’ fashioned ice cream cones, nothing makes you feel quite as young as a sugar cone and ice cream melting down your arm.

Any dish with ham is always a good idea. It’s easy to cook, tasty, and leaves you full. Of course, Philly is fully aware of that fact. Try out these Philly recipes featuring ham.

“Berry-Best” Ham Sandwich
This twist on the traditional ham sandwich serves up nicely with a piece of your favorite fresh fruit and a side salad for a well-rounded lunch.

Mini Broccoli & Ham Cups
These ham cups are great for a party. If you plan on serving them why not save yourself some time and assemble the appetizers several hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve pull them out the fridge and pop them into the oven.

Classic Ham Salad
The best thing about this recipe is the different flavor combinations. Enjoy it on top of crackers of cucumbers, salad or as a sandwich filling. Try out the variations on this dish for a slightly different twist every time.

Rice & Ham Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Serve this dish once and you can bet it’ll become a family favorite. Your brood will be requesting regularly. Remember with it being “breaded” not to let it cook too long, otherwise you’ll end up with dry rubbery chicken.

Aloha Canadian Bacon Pizza
All the differnt ingredents make for a great variation on the traditional pizza taste. This is a must try for anyone who enjoys pinneapples or who just enjoys great food!

Chives and onion go great with most things, including Philly. Add this flavorful combination to your meals with Philadelphia Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread. Give your palette a new taste sensation with these recipes.

Tea Sandwiches
These sandwiches bring a bit of class to any occasion. Serve this finger sandwich at your next brunch and make it a hit!

Savory Herb & Cheese Appetizer
Spread this cream cheese on top of crackers and you’ve got a great snack that’s fast. For added color and kick, top each with a small roasted red pepper piece.

Cheesy Chived Egg Sandwich
The chive & onion cream cheese give the eggs a great flavor. For a complete filling breakfast, add a couple of slices of crisp turkey bacon.

Herb Artichoke Spread
Serve this spread with toasted bread squares. Everyone will love it. And for a more wholesome twist, try using Philadelphia Chive & Onion Light Cream Cheese

Chive & Onion Mashed Potatoes
These potatoes are wonderfully easy to make. Whip them up for friends and family; everyone want the recipe.

The weekend is here, and that’s the time of the week when all your “special” cooking tools come out to play. All those genius ideas you’ve had for recipes you’d like to try have been building and now it’s time to head to the kitchen. Equipped with the right cooking tools and Philly, you’re a warrior who’s more than ready for the weekend.

Lemon Sour Cream Cheesecake
Looking for a special dessert? Enjoy one serving of this elegant lemon cheesecake.

Slow-Cooked Chicken & Dumplings
Have 11 hours to kill one weekend? If so then this is the perfect dish for you. Making this chicken & dumpling recipe brings a whole new meaning to “slow-cooked.”

Smoked Salmon Cheesecake
Give the illusion of serving something gourmet. While this recipe is big on time it’s small on difficulty.

Puffy French Toast Casserole
This is a great breakfast-time casserole when you have family or friends visiting from out of town. It goes together quickly the night before so that you can spend more time with your guests!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars
Looking for a dessert to serve at a party? Peanut butter and chocolate make a great combination in this dessert that serves 16 people.

Cheese logs always make me think of bad holiday party appetizers, but thanks to Philly that is no longer the case. Try these tasty cheese logs and let them conjure up thoughts of Philly and satisfaction.

Herb-and-Nut Cream Cheese Log
Jazz up the presentation of this log by serving it on a butter dish. Try different variations as well, switching up the herbs and nuts used in the recipe.

Pecan-Gorgonzola Cheese Log
Serve this dish a couple of different ways. Stay true to the recipe and serve with assorted crackers, or cut into thin slices and serve as toppers for your favorite mixed green salad.

Nutty Cheese Log
I can’t say that I’ve ever had Tang, but this interesting log recipe calls for it. If you’re brave enough to give it a go, then all I can say is “Godspeed.”

Cranberry and Pecan Cheese Log
Give this cheese log just the right amount of crunch by making sure you toast the peanuts properly. Spread pecans in single layer in shallow baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 min, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Apricot & Almond Cheese Log
This dish travels well. Just be sure to wrap tightly before storing in an insulated cooler packed with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs.