Thanksgiving Appetizer - Stuffed Celery

This is a really simple recipe that my mum preps for Thanksgiving every year.  It very simple and is a tradition in our family.

1 bunch of celery-- cleaned and cut 3 to 4 inches in length
1 large container of cream cheese
1 can of green olives stuffed with pementos-- minced

Clean and cut celery.  Mince green olives and stir into cream cheese.  Stuff the hollowed area of the celery stalk with cream cheese mixture. Serve.

Aglio Olio

Also called "Hot Spaghetti"!

This is a recipe I got from my best friend's family.  It is really easy (if you have a food processor or a chopper) and fairly cheap (if you choose to do it without the shrimp).  It's definitely one of my favorite dishes.  Enjoy!

2 carrots
5 cloves garlic
1 sweet onion or 1 bunch scallion
2-3 tablespoons fresh ginger root
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup white wine or vermouth
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 can chicken broth (14 oz)
1 lb pasta of your choice
1 lb cleaned raw shrimp (optional)

Chop fine separately: carrots.  Chop fine together: garlic, onion, and ginger root.  Heat oil in large skillet.  Add chopped carrots, cook gently in oil for 3 minutes.  Add wine, pepper, salt & oregano.  Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.  Add garlic, onion and ginger root.  Cook for 3 more minutes.  Add shrimp and let pink up for 3 to 5 minutes  Add chicken broth.  Let simmer while you cook pasta.  Drain pasta and return to pot.  Add aglio olio mixture.  Stir and serve.

Pigs & a Blanket!

One of my favorite party snacks are pigs and a blanket!  My roommate Allison will make them occasionally.  She likes to put a slice of American cheese in them.  It may be a bit on the unhealthier side but its a good treat to have and reasonably affordable.

Ingredients:
1 package of hotdogs halved
1 package of Pillsbury crescent rolls
American cheese

Directions:
Roll crescent dough around hotdog and American cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.