Quick and Easy Recipes to Make For Your Family or For Entertaining

If you have one of those homes where it seems everyone likes to congregate, you need lots of quick and easy recipes! Do your kids' friends always seem to be at your house? Everyone shows up at your house to watch the big games or your place seems the logical spot for game night, etc and everyone likes to eat! The recipes in this article will help you feed them quickly, easily, and inexpensively!

TRI-COLOR ROTINI SALAD
1 pkg (8-oz) tri-color rotini pasta, cooked according to pkg directions, drained
1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1 small bottle (8-oz) your favorite Italian salad dressing
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced red onion
2 cups broccoli flowerets
1/2 cup ripe olives

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended. Chill until serving time.

Yield: 8 cups

SPICY BAKED ARTICHOKE DIP
1 cup (4-oz container) grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 can (14-oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 can (4-oz) green chilies, drained
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp green onion slices
2 tbsp chopped tomatoes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Very lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate or a quiche dish; set aside.

Mix the cheese, mayonnaise, artichoke hearts, chilies, and garlic together. Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and sprinkle the green onion slices and chopped tomatoes over the top. Serve with assorted crackers.

Yield: 2 cups dip

EASY ITALIAN-FLAVORED BREADSTICKS
1 can (8 count) refrigerated breadstick dough
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
dash of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 egg white, beaten
1 tbsp water (cold works best)

Preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Spray two cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a small bowl combine the oregano, basil, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder; mix well and set aside.

Beat the egg white with the water; set aside.

Unroll the breadstick dough and separate at perforations. Cut each into two strips lengthwise. Brush the dough with the egg white/water mixture. Remove 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture and reserve. Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture over the egg white wash; fold strips in half lengthwise and twist to form a twisty breadstick. Press ends together to seal.

Brush twists with the remaining egg white wash and sprinkle with the reserved cheese mixture. Arrange on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.