Goat cheese is definitely a type of cheese that had never made it to our table in 18+ years, until the end of 2011.  Chavrie, the #1 go-to folks for America’s freshest goat cheese, sent my family some to try and I have to say, I didn’t expect me or my bunch to like it all, but 3 of out 5 of us did.  Truett wasn’t a fan but he’s 5 and he has lots of time to acquire a taste for new foods.  The other was Toby, who is probably as picky as I am but the main reason he wasn’t a fan was because of the pecans.  I should have taken that into consideration when I made it.

While I would consider goat cheese a food for the refined, I convinced myself not to be intimidated by it.  I looked in my fridge and pantry, thinking about how I could incorporate Chavrie authentically into our ranch style, family friendly menu.  I considered many things but decided on a finger food that I could serve up during holidays, get-togethers, and even for our Sunday Super Bowl party.    This really is very easy, very few ingredients, but there is a couple of things I’d change.

1) Instead of plopping a huge spoonful of the goat cheese spread on each slice of pretzel roll, I’d spread a thinner layer.

and

2) I’d probably bake for even longer to allow the pretzel roll slices to crust up a bit.  Although, I’m not sure how that would effect the goat cheese spread.

With that said, here is how I decided to use the Chavrie goat cheese.

I took the Chavrie Original 5.3oz package, mixed with honey and a few finely chopped pecans, and spread over slices of pretzel rolls.  I just baked until the roll slices were warm.  I used Sister Shubert’s Pretzel Rolls and sliced them into 4 pieces. Don’t ask me amounts because to be quite honest, I didn’t measure the honey at all. I just poured

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

This is a fantastic giveaway that includes lovely Crate and Barrel items and Chavrie Goat Cheese goodies.

This list is as followed:

• Crate and Barrel Sweets Pedestal $24.95
• Crate and Barrel 5-piece Mixing Bowl Set $34.96
• Crate and Barrel French Wire Wisk $10.95
• Crate and Barrel Set of 4 Magnetic Measuring Cups $9.95
• Crate and Barrel Set of 4 Magnetic Measuring Spoons $7.95
• Chavrie Fresh Goat Cheese Coupons
• Chavrie Dessert Recipes
• For the Love of Goat Cheese Cookbooks

———->To enter this giveaway, you simply need to answer the following question (this is required to be entered):

Which recipe would you make if you won this fabulous prize package?

Be sure to pay the kind sponsor of the giveaway a visit too!

Chavrie’s website

Chavrie’s Facebook page  They have a coupon on there too!

Chavrie’s Twitter page

This giveaway ends on February 9th, about 4pm CST.  In full disclosure, Chavrie sent me the same prize package, as well as, sponsored this giveaway.  All opinions are my own.

I can only imagine all the dips that were being consumed during Super Bowl weekend, how about you?  I know we had our fair share, including a new one that included the new Spicy Buffalo Velveeta cheese!  Now we originally had no plan to use this but we thought the dip needed some kick. This made a LOT of dip.

So what dips did you make for game day?

By now, you should all know that I love Velveeta, football, and I love Rotel!  RO*TEL makes for some great recipes and when you combine with cheese, of course you get awesome cheese dip!  If you haven’t tried it, you have no clue what you’re missing!   Because I know so many of you love Queso Dip, I wanted to be involved and share the latest campaign RO*TEL has cooked up for everyone.

Are you ready to feed YOUR game face and win a prize?!

Right now, you can enter in the Feed Your Game Face sweepstakes where the grand prize includes free groceries for a year and 2 tickets, flight and lodging to any college football game during the 2011 season. You can enter once a day to maximize your chances of winning and entering is SO simple! It only requires filling out a contact form.

While you’re there entering, check out their Share the Queso recipes, coupons, and instant win game!  There’s so much going on over there that you’ll need to put aside some time to browse through it all.  You can also enter to win a prize just by sharing YOUR game face!  I would LOVE to have a jersey!!!!  And if you need inspiration, here’s MY GAME FACE! GOOOOO HIGHLAND HORNETS!

NOW FOR GIVEAWAY HERE FOR YOU!

To get you in the game face, queso dip eatin’ mode, I have a great giveaway that will have you hosting an awesome little tailgate party of your own!

One winner will receive this prize pack below:

HOLY QUESO!!!!  Look at all that!  Queso for 100, $50 Grocery Gift Card, AND some extra goodies from FansEdge.  Oh my!

TO ENTER

Simply leave a comment here sharing a queso story!  You can tell me about your first time trying it or maybe the different versions you’ve had or what you’d with the prize pack if you won.  Be creative!

Additional, optional entries that can be left in a separate comment.

• Enter the Feed Your Game Face Sweepstakes and come back here letting me you know you entered. <—DAILY ENTRY!
• Share on Facebook and/or Twitter and follow RO*TEL while you’re there! RO*TEL on Facebook | RO*TEL on Twitter
  Me on Twitter and My Wooden Spoon on Facebook Sharing on twitter and facebook can be done DAILY TOO!
• Subscribe to My Wooden Spoon via email or by RSS.
• Tell me your favorite team!

Giveaway ends on November 1st.

RO*TEL on Facebook | RO*TEL on Twitter

Down, set, HUT HUT VELVEETA!  Yep, it’s that time again, time for the championship football game that all of us football fans anticipate the whole year!  And what comes along with football?? That’s right!!! DIP!  You can’t watch such an exciting football game without dip and chips, come on now.   Not only do we root teams on like the Dallas Cowboys or Indianapolis Colts, but also our own home town six-man football team, the Highland Hornets.  We paint our faces and went to the State championship game last year but lost.  Good game though.

I have used Velveeta for what feels like forever in many diverse recipes like Shrimp Stroganoff Casserole but I think many folks associate Velveeta with dip. The two go hand in hand after all and you can’t have a football party without it!

As one of the 2010 Velveeta Kitchenistas, I’ll be bringing you vlogs all year, this being the first one.  I do a few personal vlogs that are me rambling but doing a recipe was a challenge and while my video isn’t’ the best, I have confidence that my future ones will be awesome!

Please keep in mind when watching the video that I’m new at cooking in front of the video. Also keep in mind that my teens were cracking me up over and over again so I ended being a little more serious in the final cut that I intended. My next ones will get better, promise!

This Velveeta dip consists of only 3 ingredients, with on optional ingredient, making it very affordable to feed a crowd.  It also literally takes less than 10 minutes to make.  It’s so easy and so good!

VELVEETA Chorizo & Beer Dip

Ingredients

• 16oz of VELVEETA Cheese
• 1/4lb of Beef Chorizo
• 1/2 cup of Beer
• Green onions for garnish (optional)

Directions

Cook chorizo in medium skillet on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until done, stirring occasionally; drain.  Microwave VELVEETA and beer in large microwaveable bowl on high for about 5 minutes or until VELVEETA is completely melted, stirring after 3 min. Stir in chorizo.

Extra: Garnish with green onion slices before serving.

Don’t forget that Velveeta is on Facebook too and are always sharing great recipe ideas along with Velveeta fans sharing their own!

Disclosure: Please know that all opinions are my own and that I only work with companies that I love, use everyday. and truly believe in. If you have any questions about my ethics, read my full disclosure and/or email me. Just like before, I have partnered with VELVEETA as one of theVELVEETA it! Kitchenistas. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes vlogging about my cooking experiences with VELVEETA and developing one original VELVEETA-based recipe. I have also been compensated for the food purchased for my VELVEETA vlogs.

The Super Bowl is right around the corner so if you’re looking for some quick and easy recipes to make your party delicious, look no more!  Also, tonight at 10:30pm CST, I’ll be hosting a radio talk show on Super Bowl Party Ideas for a fabulous party!  Join me and listen, chat or even call in!

DIPS

The Ultimate Cheese Dip

5-Minute TexMex Dip

(be sure to read the comments because they mentioned some great variations to make this!)

Holy Moly Guacamole!

Lori’s Hot Sauce

YUMMY BITS!

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos with Cream Cheese

Cocktail Weiners

Bacon Brunch Bites

Now this is a breakfast appetizer BUT you could totally use pizza sauce & toppings instead!!

DRINKS

• Slush Punch
• Peachy Iced Tea
• Jello Shooters (Alchohol in this one)

For a HUGE list of other recipes from around the web, check out the list Tipnut compiled and shared!