As a public service (and because I just finished eating some and my taste buds are still all wired), I wanted to make sure people outside of Texas knew about the weird yet incredibly addictive party snack that's been at almost every party I've gone to in the last few years, including those held at my house. If you put a plate of this out people will not be able to stop eating it, if nothing else it's a neat little experiment just to watch your friends reactions.

A company called Fischer & Wieser in a small town in the Texas Hill Country (which is the prettiest part of the state) came up with something called the Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce in the 1990's and if you pour some over a few blocks of cream cheese, you've got heaven on a cracker. It's an odd looking party food, and people will look at you funny and ask "what the hell is it", but give them some Wheat Thins or Triscuits and once they've tried it they literally won't be able to stop eating it.

I know I can't, it can get sort of embarrassing even, especially if you drip any on your shirt. And I don't (and can't) normally eat anything that's all all spicy, but somehow this sauce and the cream cheese manage to hit all of your taste buds at once - sweet, spicy, smokey, tart and creamy all at the same time.

I had half a bottle left over after our party and just made myself a little snack with some whipped cream cheese and crackers (which I purposely bought in hopes of having leftovers) and my sinuses are nice and cleared out now.

The "can't stop eating till I look stupid" predecessor of this party snack was the Grape Jelly and Meatballs appetizer, another weird sounding but super addictive food. I really think both of these are sort of Southern recipes, so I wanted to share them. Locally I buy the raspberry sauce at Randall's / Safeway and Whole Foods (it's considered a gourmet item), but you can order it online at the companies website also. Someone told me there are knockoff brands made, but I'll pay the extra buck or two and get the good stuff, personally.