Appetizers and Finger Foods

[StoneFox]

Some asked if I would post this recipe. I had it at a Cristmas party and thought it was YUMMY. This is the recipe as it was provided to me by the person who made it for the Christmas party. I believe the powdered basil petso is prepared according to package directions and then spread on the mixture. You could probably buy a prepared basic basil pesto.

Provolone Terraine

1 (8 oz) Cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup shelled pistachio nuts
1 lb. provolone cheese, sliced
3/4 cup basic basil pesto (powdered pkg.)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, coarsely chopped
Garnish with fresh basil and nuts

Line an 8x4 inch loaf pan with a damp cheese cloth. Allow 1 inch extending above edge of pan.

In a food processor, combine cream cheese, butter, garlic and pepper until smooth. Stir in pistachios by hand. Set aside.

Split the 1 lb package of provolone cheese slices into two equal stacks.

Divide one of the stacks into 1/3 and 2/3. (example: if there are 9 slices in the equal stacks, one of the stacks would be divided into 3 and 6 slices.) Set aside.

Use large stack of provolone to cover bottom and 2 1/2 inches up the prepared pan.

Spread 1/2 of pesto smoothly over provolone. Cover with one small stack of provolone, overlapping.

Sprinkle with 1/2 of the sun-dried tomatoes. Spread reserved cream cheese mix, tomatoes, more provolone cheese and pesto. Top with final provolone.

Fold cheese cloth over and press firmly. Chill overnight. Before serving, flip over onto serving tray. Remove cloth; garnish with fresh basil and pistachio nuts. Slice and serve with crackers.

[Breezy]

Here is one that I had recently at a Christmas Party...It was so delicious and I just HAD to get the recipe! It's also quick and easy to make.

You will need:
3 blocks of Cream Cheese
2 large cans of white chicken breast
1 envelope of Italian Dressing Seasoning

Cream cheese should be room temperature so if you need to microwave for a few seconds that would be fine.
Drain canned chicken breast and crumble into bowl.
Add dry dressing mix.
Stir all three ingredients well!!

Enjoy with crackers!!

You can use any kind of crackers you choose. My friend used a flavored wheat type of cracker (in a yellow box). I don't remember just off hand what they were called but they were awesome with this dip!

Also, you can shape your dip, it's pretty thick so if you have a mold that you would like to place it in (Christmas Tree, etc) it shapes well.

I promise you, this is really delicious. I was eating it by the spoonfulls!!

****let me know if you try it Pat. I know you liked the Hot Apple Dumplings! This is just as good!! And it does not taste too cream cheesey!

[nanabillie]

That sounds great Breezy!

I make shrimp dip. I don't have a recipe, just add ingredients and taste.

A bag of cooked, peeled, deveined shrimp
Grated cheddar cheese
small amount of onion (Most of the time I don't include the onion)
Mayo....Only Dukes Mayo at my house.
Small dash of Tabasco sauce or to taste

If you buy small salad shrimp and grated cheese, it is a breeze to just add ingredients and mix.
I put all ingredients in the bowl of my Kitchen Aid mixer. You could use food processor but not to much. You want to be able to see the shrimp.
I have added about a quarter cup of sour cream. Not always.
Mix and refrigerate. Serve with Captains Wafers. Our favorite snack!

[nanabillie]

You can't get more simple than this one.

One block of Cream Cheese
One package of Italian Dressing (dry) or Hidden Valley Ranch
Coat the cream cheese with the dressing. Refrigerate. slice and serve with crackers.
Also good with mint jelly, I have been told.

[nanabillie]

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Food/Tools-Tips/How-to-Make-Greek-Cigars.html

This is a good link for appetizers.

[Alibar]

You can't get more simple than this one.

One block of Cream Cheese
One package of Italian Dressing (dry) or Hidden Valley Ranch
Coat the cream cheese with the dressing. Refrigerate. slice and serve with crackers.
Also good with mint jelly, I have been told.

A very popular covering for a block of cream cheese:

Hot Jezebel (too hot for me unless I put only a dab)

1 c. apricot preserves
1 c. pineapple preserves
1/4 c. horseradish, drained
3 tbsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. pepper

Mix preserves, horseradish, mustard, and pepper. Store in in refrigerator.

[Pandabear]

These are wonderful and I take all the calories out before I make them, of course.:rolleyes:

Package of cocktail sausages (we call these puppy peters)
bacon
toothpicks
brown sugar

roll a piece of bacon around each sausage, pin with a toothpick, and place them side by side in a glass baking dish. Sprinkle the tops of the sausage with enough brown sugar that they are almost covered.

Bake at 350 until the bacon is done and the sugar has melted into a wonderful gooey sweet mess. Enjoy.

[KYGramma]

These are wonderful and I take all the calories out before I make them, of course.:rolleyes:

Package of cocktail sausages (we call these puppy peters)
bacon
toothpicks
brown sugar

roll a piece of bacon around each sausage, pin with a toothpick, and place them side by side in a glass baking dish. Sprinkle the tops of the sausage with enough brown sugar that they are almost covered.

Bake at 350 until the bacon is done and the sugar has melted into a wonderful gooey sweet mess. Enjoy.

puppy peters...:67302::67302::67302:

[gaallen]

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut Appetizers

* 1 cup ketchup
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 16 ounces sliced bacon
* 2 (8 ounce) cans water chestnuts, drained

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce; heat just to boiling. Pour sauce over bacon and water chestnuts.
3. Cut bacon slices into thirds. Cut some of the bigger water chestnuts in half. Wrap chestnuts in bacon and secure with toothpicks; place in a 9x13 pan. (if you want less mess, you can pour sauce over them now, rather than before wrapping)
4. Bake in preheated oven until bacon is completely cooked, about 45 to 50 minutes.

[nanabillie]

That sounds so good!

[gaallen]

:yes2: Can't go wrong wrapping stuff in bacon. :grin:

[Noahs ARK]

One of my favorite appetizers during the Holidays ~

Puff pastry
Whole cranberries in the can
Brie Cheese

Grease cupcake tin. Cut squares from puff pastry and put into the cupcake tin.

Cut chunks of brie cheese and place 1 in each cupcake tin.

Put a spoonful of whole cranberries on top of the brie cheese.

Bake at 400 until cranberries are bubbly and puff pastry is done.

YUMMMMMMM

[PatC]

Crab burrito roll ups

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated aged cheddar
3 tbs fresh finely chopped parsley
¾ cup finely chopped red pepper (I threw in some green too)
3 finely chopped green onions
1 tsp cayenne
1 cup artificial crab meat or one 8 oz can crab meat
flour tortillas

Work over cheese until blended, stir in other ingredients a bit at a time.
Spread evenly over 3 or so large burrito wraps. I’ve found I don’t have enough for 3 more like 2.5.
Roll and wrap in saran wrap for an hour (I let mine set overnight, doesn’t seem to hurt).


I have made this with corn tortillas, but I prefer the flour ones.


Cut into 3/4” slices, and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Delicious warm but also great at room temp.