Under pressure and drawing a blank. I was just asked to bring an appetizer to hubby's family's house on christmas day. All of my stuff is in storage and I am at my parent's while we are waiting for a house to close. So I feel completely out of my element. Thought about a store bought veggie tray but someone else is bringing that. Any quick simple ideas? I am not above store bought either I just can't think of whats available? We are about 45 mins away so if it has to be kept warm it might be an issue. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Thank you mamas for all of these wonderful ideas. I have a whole bunch of easy buttons in my arsenal. I am going to do a version of the cream cheese things (whatever you call them ;0) ) but am happy to try lots of these. Thanks again!
block of cream cheese
dump a jar of jalapeno jam (or something that has BOTH spice and fruit) on top
box of crackers.
DONE.
Crab meat Deviled eggs
I add jumbo lump meat, the yolk of 18 cooked eggs, mayo, old bay, and mustard.
I mix all of the ingredients to taste you want them to be smooth and then scoop all of that into the eggs whites, and I top them a little old bay for decoration. Every time i make them people love them. I am from Maryland so we are all about crabs and old bay, SEAFOOD is a staple food here.
If you want them to remember you forever-take this:
1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 packages applewood smoked bacon
1/2 c light brown sugar
2 T chili powder
toothpicks
Cut the raw chicken into 1 inch cubes (you'll get about 30 out of a package)
Cut the bacon in half
Wrap each chicken cube in one of the 1/2 slices of bacon and secure with a toothpick
combine the brown sugar and chili powder in a bowl-and dredge each bacon wrapped chicken chunk in the mixture
Place them in a baking pan-and bake them at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. They will go nuts! They are great at room temp-and reheat beautifully. Remove them from the baking dish-because a lot of the bacon fat will render out- I serve them with my version of remoulade sauce.
Cheeseballs with crackers. Homemade or store bought are fine. I hosted a tea recently and one of the ladies brought bite sized cheese balls. They were a huge hit. She put each one in a small cupcake paper. So cute.
Cream cheese with raspberry chipotle sauce poured over it with crackers (or you could use a type of jam with it). Always a huge hit.
These: http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/12/13/black-olive-pe...
Various cheeses with crackers.
or this: http://terristable.blogspot.com/2010/06/apps-and-im-not-t...
Which is basically a basil leaf with a small chunk of mozzarella and a cherry/grape tomatoe skewered through it (the basil acts like a boat below it), with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzled over it. Yum!
Have fun!
We did a cheese platter and shrimp tray for Thanksgiving, but "jazzed" it up a bit. We went to a specialty cheese shop and let them know our budget. They suggested 5 beautiful and "different" cheeses. If you add 1/4 lb of thinly sliced prosciutto and grapes you have a great platter that you can do yourself on a disposable tray. Buy a variety box of crackers and there you go.
As for the shrimp, buy frozen precooked/peeled shrimp and let them defrost on the way over. Serve over a bed of ice with fresh lemon and homemade cocktail sauce!
you can get a summer sausage and cheese party pack most places around $10. Comes with cheese, sausage, and crackers, sometimes spicy mustard.
or bring a couple bags of little smokies and a jar of bbq sauce. just has to be heated in the microwave.
How 'bout a big premade fruit tray then, if the veggies are taken?
:)
antipasto pinwheels: flour tortilla layered with leaf lettuce, red onion, black olives, thinly sliced hard/genoa salami &/or roast beef. Sprinkle some Italian shredded cheese over it, pour a little Caesar dressing on it.... & roll it up! Slice into 1-2" segments. Yummm!
Easy to make, requires no special equipmt.....:)
I agree with the other cream cheese recipe. This is a huge hit with our family and we always have ti at finger food dinners.
Block of cream cheese
Jar of red pepper jelly poured over
Serve with Ritz
Yummy!!
even cream cheese mixed with salasa and chips is a yummy side dish.
This is simple and does not require a lot of stuff to make, just a cutting board and a knife. Buy whole dates (pitted are easier). Open the date and place 1 tsp cream cheese in the center. Top with a raw almond. That is it. Done and delicious!
chips and salsa
chips and guac
pita and hummus
bruscetta (buy french bread, cut on diagonal, top with tomatoes, roasted red peppers olive oil, salt & pepper) all can be assembled when you get to wherever).
cellery sticks filled with cream cheese/ with peanut butter
cheese and meat platter
pickle platter (olives, gherkins, tomatos, carrots, eggplants, etc)
caprese platter alternate tomato slices with mozzarella & fresh basil, drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper. serve with hard bread.
Would it be easier for you to ask to bring a dessert?
good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
16oz block of velvetta cheese, 1 can rotel and (add 1lb hamburger or pork sausage if you like) and a bag of Tortilla Chips. Melts in a small crockpot quickly.
Go simple.
8oz block of cream cheese with a jar of pepper jelly poured over the top...and serve with crackers. This is ALWAYS a hit when I bring it!! Sooo simple
Or
8 oz cream cheese with picante sauce poured over the top. Sprinkle shredded cheese and chopped olives on top of the picante. Put in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes...or microwave it when you get there since you are traveling. Serve with tortilla chips. SO simple...so delicious
Good luck and best wishes at wowing them with your simple homemade appetizer!! Merry Christmas!!
This always seems to go over at places I've seen it and it's pretty simple:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/cheesedips/r/bl01216f.htm
I have a recipe for something similar to Wickerparkgirl......it's a Cranberry relish that you can eat with chips, or pour over cream cheese and chips. It is SUPER yummy.....everybody raves about it and it's super easy.
I literally just printed out the recipe because I'm making it on Christmas Eve. PM me if you would like it.
-Can of chili beans heated in a pot on stove w/a brick of cream cheese
Serve w/tortilla corn chips. yum. make when you get there
-shrimp (buy the ring @ groc store) w/cocktail sauce
-salami, sliced cheese & crackers
-sliced baguette, salami slices, cliced cheese, spicy mustard
-7 layer dip (make or buy)
Have fun!
Go with the shrimp cocktail....this old stand by is elegant and always a big hit at parties with young, old, and with those who are trying to watch their weight.
how about a taco dip? most stores sell that in the deli section. you can pick it up and take it with tortilla chips. or they sell fruit dip in the produce section along with bags of apple slices and grapes and pineapple slices your good to go. all available already cut up in the produce section. just layer on a plate like a veggie tray. fruit is always a big hit
So many great ideas...now I'm hungry! ;) What about a sourdough round hollowed out and filled with Knorr spinach dip (recipe on the package) with bread cubes? Yum. And I'm SO trying some of these other recipes!! Woohoo!
My go to appetizer is always a 'Caprese Lollipop'. Basically, grape tomato, piece of mozzarella cheese & a piece of basil skewered onto a fancy toothpick. drizzle with balsamic vinegar & olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
