Non traditional Thanksgiving

We did have a traditional Thanksgiving with my side of the family and I did not cook anything. My wonderful soul cooking Aunt Faye did and it was amazing!! On Friday night we got together with Casey's side of the family to watch the Arkansas vs. LSU game, family tradition. So since we had all eaten traditional food we decided to go casual and go more with tailgate kind of food. I made a pot of soup, chili cheese dip, chocolate cobbler and pumpkin dump cake. See, non-traditional. I wanted to share the recipes for the chili cheese dip and the pumpkin dump cake. I have previously shared the Bacon, Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup before, but I will post it on the bottom of this post as well.  Both of these recipes were Pinterest inspired!!

Chili Cheese Queso Dip

Here's what you'll need....
1 can of Hormel chili- No beans
16-ounce box Velveeta Cheese 
1 C. milk 
2 teaspoons paprika 
½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper 
4 tsp. chili powder 
1 tablespoon lime juice 
½ tsp. ground cumin

It's so simple. You can just dump it all in a crockpot and cook for about 4-6 hours OR if you are in a rush like me, just dump it all in large pot and melt on the stove top. It was a quick and easy hit.

                          For Dessert....Pumpkin Dump Cake

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can Pumpkin Puree
• 1 10 oz can Evaporated Milk
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted
• 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans
• 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Spray a 9×13 baking pan lightly with cooking/baking spray
3. In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine.
4. Pour into your prepared pan.
5. Sprinkle your entire box of cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.
6. Pour your melted butter evenly on top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.

For an extra richness eat it with vanilla ice cream!! :)))

Bacon, mushroom and wild rice soup: This recipe is from my friend Lori :)

1 lb. bacon fried and crumbled

1 lg. onion sautéed in bacon drippings (optional)

2 c. wild rice, cooked

2 cans cream of potato soup

2 cans (lg.) mushrooms & juice

8 oz. american deli slices

1 pt. ½ & ½

1 pt. water

Mix all ingredients except cheese; heat thoroughly & slowly. Add cheese last.