Favorite holiday recipes, part 1

Several years ago, my mom's side of the family started a new Christmas tradition. Instead of my grandmother preparing all of the food and desserts for Christmas, all of the children and grandchildren would bring one or two dishes so that my grandmother would only have to take care of the basics, taking a lot of stress and work off of her! 

This year, my mother and I decided that she would make meatballs and I would make cheese dip and punch. I absolutely LOVE each of these, so I am including the recipes in this post! 

"Green Punch"

I know I have had this punch at many weddings before, and a few years ago, my mom found the recipe in an old cookbook. I love making this punch! It's so easy to make, and it is great for any kind of gathering or party, and is especially refreshing and tasty on those hot summer days!

Ingredients: 

• 2 packages of lemon-lime Kool-Aid mix
• 2 cups of sugar
• 40 oz can of pineapple juice (the cans I use usually contain 46 ounces, which works just as well)
• 2 quarts of water
• 1 quart of ginger ale (you can find a bottle of ginger ale that measures right at a quart at the grocery store)

Directions:

1. Place Kool-Aid mix and sugar into a pitcher. 
2. Add the two quarts of (hot) water to the mix and sugar and stir.
3. Add in the 40 ounces of pineapple juice. 
4. Allow to chill prior to serving.
5. Just before serving add ginger ale and stir. 
6. Serve on ice and enjoy! 

Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of cream cheese (the larger ones)
• 2 bags of shredded cheese
• 1 pound of hamburger meat
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 1 jar of salsa 
• 1+ bags of Scoops Tostitos chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Set the cream cheese out so that it can soften while you prepare the meat.
3. Cook the meat as usual (brown, drain fat, etc.)
4. Add the taco seasoning per package instructions to the cooked meat. 
5. Allow the meat to simmer while you put the cream cheese in the cooking pan.
6. Spread the cream cheese across the bottom of the pan.
7. Add the meat on top of the cream cheese.
8. Add the salsa on top of the meat.
9. Spread the 2 packages of shredded cheese on top.
10. Place pan in the oven and allow to cook for 30 minutes. It may require more or less time. Just watch the cheese on top and let it cook to your liking!
11. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. It is best to eat the dip with Scoops chips so that you can scoop it up!

What are your favorite holiday dishes?