Girls' Night with Foodbuzz and Hormel

This weekend I hosted a girls' night out dinner. Through Foodbuzz and Hormel I was given the opportunity to try out Hormel's new Cure 81 Ham and it was the perfect excuse to throw a little party. I had never cooked ham in my life, so I was a little nervous, but since the Cure 81 ham was already cooked it was super easy. I even found some of my recipes right off Hormel's website! Who knew :-)?
Here is the menu I planned, followed by the appetizer recipes (and the rest to come soon).

Appetizers:

Brie Bites

Bacon and Blue Cheese Crostini

Devils on Horseback

Main Course:

Baked Ham with Dijon Cream Sauce

Individual Potato Gratins (which I made in one big 9x13 dish instead)

Cranberry Pear Tossed Salad

Dessert:

Cream Cheese Sheet Cake

Brie Bites 

 (recipe from Big Red Kitchen)

Fill each mini fillo cup (found in freezer section) with a tiny cube of brie, a spoonful of blueberry fruit spread (I used a baby spoon), and top with a pecan half. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until cheese has softened and pecan is toasted. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Devils on Horseback 

(recipe also from Big Red Kitchen)

Wrap dried apricot halves with cooked bacon slices and secure with a toothpick. This is usually done with prunes but the texture of the apricots in this dish is fantastic. 

(I used Hormel's pre-cooked bacon, all I had to do was heat it up in the microwave...these were the easiest appetizer ever!)

Bacon and Blue Cheese Crostini 

(recipe from Hormel)

Ingredients:

* 24 garlic crostini

* 1/2 cup crumbled Danish blue cheese

* 1 (2.1-ounce) package Hormel® Fully Cooked Bacon, coarsely chopped 

(I actually used their crumbled bacon, which meant NO prep!)

Directions:

1. Heat broiler to 500ºF.

2. Top each crostini with 1 teaspoon cheese and generous pinch bacon; place on baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from heat source 5 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and bacon is hot.