Kid Friendly New Year's Eve

I hope most of you are well rested and still laughing and smiling from all of the fun you had at your New Year's Eve soiree.  We stayed at home and invited friends over for a kid friendly event.  I pondered my menu for a week or two before the big day.  I decided on pork tenderloin with an apricot mustard sauce and rolls, Savory Artichoke and Greens Dip, Cheese Straws, Shrimp and Southern Caviar.  Thanks to some wonderful friends from New York City we had an assortment of cheesecake from Juniors.  Our guest brought grilled chicken and sausage balls to share. 
As a Southern girl I am well aware of the tradition of eating black eyed peas, greens, cornbread and pork on New Year's Day.  Even though I consider myself a true southerner, I've never enjoyed eating any type of cooked greens.  I've avoided them for many years.  The only dishes I've ever been able to stomach with cooked greens are spinach quiche and spinach dip.  Quiche was out of the question for the evening, but a dip was definitely possible.  I decided to make a hot dip with artichokes and put turnips in the dip.  Hope you enjoye the recipe.  I've also included the recipe for the Southern Caviar.

Savory Artichoke and Greens Dip

1 small bag of frozen turnips (cook according to instruction and drain)
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts ( drained)
1 (8oz) cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 clove garlic, minced
 
Mix all ingredients until combined.  Place in a small oven proof dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve with corn chips.

Southern Caviar -- I've tried several recipes, but this one is easy and most guest enjoy it.

1 can whole kernal corn
1 can black eyed peas
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 cup zesty italian dressing

Drain liquid from corn and black eyed peas.  Combine all ingredients and chill overnight.  Serve with Tostitos.

**Having trouble loading pictures, but I must say I have some awesome photos of the kids and adults playing my daughter's new Wii Dance for Kids.  Happy New Year!