Pesto Dip

I'm going to do a little introduction, since this is my first time posting on this blog. I'm Stephanie, Sarah's neighbor. She has been telling me about this blog for a while, and I'm excited to share and get new recipes!
If you are looking for a super easy dinner that's light but filling, try this one.

2, 8 oz blocks of softened cream cheese
1 package of Pesto sauce mix, I use Knorr brand.

Put cream cheese in glass dish and sprinkle pesto sauce over top. Mix just a little bit. Put in oven at 375 for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Stir to combine. Broil for a few minutes, if desired.
Serve immediately with fresh veggies. I used cut up broccoli, celery, carrots, grape tomatoes. I also made some focacia bread to go along with the dip. We all loved it, my almost 3 year old and 16 month old kids ate SO many veggies, you would not believe it!

Focacia Bread
2 1/2-3 C bread flour
1 T rosemary or italian spices
1 T sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp yeast or 1 pkg yeast
3 T olive oil
1 C very warm water
2 T olive oil
In a large bowl combine 1 C flour, rosemary, sugar, salt, yeast. Add 3 T olive oil and warm water. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir enough remaining flour until dough leaves sides of bowl. Knead for 5-8 minutes on counter top. Grease bowl and place ball of dough in oil, grease both sides. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Grease a pizza sheet or cookie sheet. Flatten dough onto baking sheet. Cover and let rise 30 minutes. Gently make depressions with your fingertips all over dough. Place olive oil on top of dough and rub all over. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Lexy's Carmel

This is a favorite of ours to give out at Christmas with red and green apples!

Carmel
Makes 2 cups

Ingredients
1 cup butter (no substitutes)
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions
1. In a heavy saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and; bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Stir in Sweetened condensed milk. Stirring continuously, Bring to a rolling boil.
3. Remove from heat immediately.
4. Stir in vanilla.
5. Serve warm with tart apples.

Note: This recipe is for dipping apples. If you want to do carmeled apples, at step 2 bring mixture to a softball temperature on a candy thermometer- then add vanilla.