Appetizers

[JenniferSylvie]

What are your favorite appetizers or finger foods? Recipes included please.

For New Years Eve, we are all going out to Chinese dinner early in the evening, so I was planning to have a variety of snacky foods available for the rest of the night. I'd probably like to stay away from Chinese type appetizers since we are having that for dinner.

[Carol S]

Buy a package of crispy breadsticks, wrap them in bacon (wrap it kind of like a barber pole or candy cane, if YKWIM) , sprinkle them with Parmesan, and bake them at 425 for around 12 min. I think they probably take more like 15 min, but you do have to start watching them because usually the end of the breadsticks will not be covered and can burn. I think I usually turn them over sometime in the process as well, but it's been quite a while since I've done them.

One of my other faves is the good ol' bisquick-cheese-sausage balls.

[DD in IL]

Pizza Ryes

Hamburger (1 lb)
Cream Cheese (8 oz)
Cheddar Cheese Soup (1 can)
Italian Seasoning I TBS or to taste
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (8 oz or more)
Cocktail Rye

Cook hamburger, stir in the remaining ingredients (except for the rye). When all the cheeses have melted and blended, spread onto the cocktail bread and put under broiler until cheese is bubbly and bread is toasted.

This is good as a main meal when put over rice or creamed potates.

[Sheri]

Stuffed jalapenos.

Slice jalapenos lengthwise, remove seeds, fill with cream cheese and wrap half a slice of bacon around the pepper. Secure with toothpick. Bake at 325 about 40 minutes (the longer it bakes the less hot it is).

Potato Skins

Bake potatos (I bake a bunch in the microwave), Let cool. Cut in half lengthwise, scoop potato out of the middle so it forms a deep boat. Fill with cheese, bacon, mushrooms, green onions, whatever you like. Bake until cheese is bubbly.

Pigs in a blanket

We make these from scratch. Make bread dough. Cut hot dogs in half lengthwise and in half through the width. Roll 1/4 of each hotdog in a small piece of dough. Bake at 425 until bread is lightly browned.

Turkey Roll ups

The same idea as pigs in a blanket, but I form a circle with a small piece of dough and fill with turkey and swiss. Roll up, dip in garlic butter and then bake until bread is golden.

Pizza roll ups

Same as turkey but use pepperoni and mozzarella.

[Debbie W]

Buy a package of crispy breadsticks, wrap them in bacon (wrap it kind of like a barber pole or candy cane, if YKWIM) , sprinkle them with Parmesan, and bake them at 425 for around 12 min.

I make these too and they are always a hit! You won't be taking any home that's for sure! :clap: I also do cocktail wienies rapped in cresent rolls I've sliced into smaller sections. :yum: They absolutely disappear! My salmon spread I put on crackers goes over well too and the deviled ham spread for sandwichs. The deviled ham spread is homemade so it has lots of added stuff in it.

A fruit platter is usually something that people enjoy and appreciate. I made some asparagus and ham rollups for a church gathering the other day and everyone was going goo goo over them. I had a huge platter and I only had about five left!

[Debbie W]

Stuffed jalapenos.

Slice jalapenos lengthwise, remove seeds, fill with cream cheese and wrap half a slice of bacon around the pepper. Secure with toothpick. Bake at 325 about 40 minutes (the longer it bakes the less hot it is).



Sheri, my dh would love these. I think I'm going to steal your idea and they these for our next church christmas party. Lately I've gone cream cheese crazy, now I may be on the bacon kick. :roflol:

[Jana]

Someone posted these last year here, sorry I don't remember who but they are soooo yummy, I make them often.

Take the little beef smokies, wrap in bacon (we use turkey bacon) secure with a toothpick, place on an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet (makes for a lot easier clean up) then sprinkle with brown sugar, I use quite a bit, then bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Everyone raves about these when they come over. :yum:

I don't know if that is the kind of finger food you are looking for altho' they are great for little get togethers and such.

[Heather P]

Stuffed Mushrooms
1 tube of mild sausage
1 8 oz cream cheese
Mushrooms
Cook the sausage and crumble and mix with cream cheese; take the stem off the mushroom and fill with filling...yummy!

Ham Roll Ups
1 package rectangle ham slices
1 8 oz cream cheese
2 to 3 chives; cut up
Mix cream cheese and chives and spread over ham slice and roll up; place in fridge for a couple of hours and then cut up just before serving and lay out on plate

[Lynna]

Spinach Dip with bread

1 pkg Knorr veg dip
10 oz spinach chopped
16 oz sour cream
1 cup mayo
3 or 4 chopped green onion
small can of finely chopped water chestnuts (they add crunch!)

Drain very well the thawed spinach, then mix all ingredients together.

What we do is take the large round Hawaiian Bread and dig out the middle and put the dip in it. Then we chuck up the left over bread and use it to get the dip. We also use a Ritz type cracker.

Incase you loose the recipe you can find it on the back of the Knorr veggie dip package!

Lynna

[Susan in Kentucky]

Things wraped in bacon seem to be popular with this group!

WATER CHESTNUTS WRAPPED IN BACON

Use whole water chestnuts and wrap with piece of bacon, secure with toothpick. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes - until bacon looks crisp. Remove from oven, pour over favorite bbq sauce, return to oven for a few minutes until sauce is hot and bubbly.

[rachelmn]

I have a whole bunch from the last few years on the boards, let me know if you want my HUGE list of recipes!!!

[JenniferSylvie]

Rachel, a huge list would be great, but if you would like to email them directly to me I just vollunteered to do another recipe exchange for anyone interested for appetizers.

[PattyinAL]

1 large can of chicken (bigger than a tuna can)
2-8oz packages of cream cheese (softened)
1-package dry ranch dressing

mix togather, form into a ball, roll in chopped pecans.Serve with crackers:yum:

[Donna L]

Christmas Sweet Red Pepper Sauce

3 large Sweet Red Bell Peppers diced
½ cup vinegar
¾ cup sugar
½ Tbsp. salt

Add all ingredients together and cook to thicken.
Serve over cream cheese and eat with crackers.

Sausage Balls

1 pkg. Owen's regular sausage (Cook it in a tiny bit of oil ahead of time. Drain on paper towels.)
2 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 cup Bisquick®
¼ cup milk

Mix all ingredients, and roll into balls. Freeze until you are ready to bake. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease a cookie sheet. Place sausage balls about 1½ in. apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes...until medium brown.

Baked Cheese Olives

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
½ cup all-purpose flour
1/8 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
24 stuffed-pimento
or
1 can black olives (stuffed with 4oz. pkg. cream cheese)



Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (200° degrees CUP) In a small bowl, combine cheese and soft butter. Stir flour and cayenne pepper into the cheese and butter mixture. Blend well.
Take whole pitted black olives and fill cavity with soft cream cheese. Wrap approx. a Tbsp. of dough around each olive. Arrange the wrapped olives on a cookie sheet. I personally don't like a lot of dough, just use enough dough to cover the olive entirely.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Can prepare ahead of time and freeze.

[LisaM]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip is a family favorite -- yes, even my dc love it!

1 10 oz. pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened (can use light)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 350. Drain spinach and squeeze dry. Mix together spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, mayo and 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese. Place in 2-quart dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips (we like whole-wheat or multigrain here) :yum:

Baked Pizza Dip

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 c. pizza or spaghetti sauce
crackers or tortilla chips

Beat cream cheese and Italian seasoning until well blended. Spread onto bottom of square baking dish. Layer half the mozzarella cheese, then the pizza sauce, and top with the remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Serve with crackers or chips. Makes 3 cups.

VARIATION: Top with 1/3 cup finely chopped pepperoni before baking! :yum: :yum:

[Barb Cash]

These are amazing so make sure you double them! :yum:

Artichoke Squares

2 - 6 oz jars artichoke hearts
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 tsp EACH pepper, Tobasco, oregano
1/4 cup bread crumbs (I use Italian)
4 eggs
2 TBSP minced parsley
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp salt

* Discard marinade from one jar of hearts. Drain marinade from second into frying pan. Saute garlic and onion about 5 minutes. Chop Artichoke hearts fairly fine. Beat eggs and add seasonings, crumbs, cheese and parsley. Mix and then add onion, garlic and chopped artichokes.

Grease 8" baking dish and turn mixture into it. Bake at 325 for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

To reheat, place pan in 325 oven for 10 minutes.

Notes: I usually double this and place in 9x13 baking dish. I have also used the canned artichokes in place of the marinated ones and it turns out very well.