Recipe(tried): Pizza dip, Brie and Cranberry Pizza, and Greek Spinach Squares

Christi, I think it's great that you are encouraging the young marrieds at your church to meet and support each other. DH and I joined such a group about 20 years ago, and it has been a wonderful experience for us. I hope some of the ideas below help you out.

Quick Pizza Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp garlic powder
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 Tbsp each red and green pepper, diced

Beat the cream cheese and seasonings with an electric mixer until well blended. Spread on the bottom of a 9" pie plate. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, remaining cheese, and the diced peppers. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Serve with breadsticks or sturdy crackers. About 10 servings.


Brie and Cranberry Pizza

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
8 oz cubed Brie cheese
3/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (or substitute jam or marmalade)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Lightly grease a 12" pizza pan (or 9x13" baking dish). Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Arrange in the pizza pan with the tips toward the center, and lightly press together. Bake in preheated 425 F oven for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
Remove from oven. Sprinkle the brie over the crust. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the cheese, and top with pecans. Bake an additional 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes, and cut into wedges or squares. Makes 8 servings.


Greek Spinach Squares

4 Tbsp melted butter
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
8 ounces shredded Montery Jack cheese
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
4 ounces crumbled feta
2 10-ounce packages of chopped spinach, thawed and drained very well (squeeze it)

Mix everything together, and turn into a buttered 13x9" pan. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for about 35 minutes. Allow to cool for about 45 minutes (this is finger food), and cut into squares. Makes at least 24 servings, depending on how you cut your squares.


I hope your party goes well!