No Inspiration... Appetizers

My favorite, easy appetizer is hot spinach and artichoke dip. Just throw in a crockpot and it's easy to transfer. I like having something warm and it's always a big hit with everyone. Here's Alton Brown's recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hot-spinac...

stuffed mushroom caps-
de stem and de gill mushrooms, take the bits you cut off, some parmesan, salt, pepper, olive oil, and cooked sausage if you'd like. Pulse in the food processor, scoop into the mushroom caps, bake and serve.

caprese salad-
sliced mozzarella cheese, topped with fresh basil, and hearty tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, balsamic, salt & pepper. serve with toasty italian bread.

Garlic knots-
Take some ready made pizza dough, roll long until its the width of your finger. tie into a knot. dredge in olive oil, butter, fresh chopped garlic, bake. serve wtih warm marinara sauce.

Italian meat platter.

A variety of olives and cheeses and crackers.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

Mix
2 packs cream cheese
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
10 oz. canned chunky chicken

Form a ball & roll in crushed pecans (toast first, whole, at 350 for 5 min on cookie sheet, cool)
Place on serving dish.
Cover.
Refrigerate 1 hour
Serve with good crackers.
So easy & SO good!

I like to make simple pinwheels. You take a tortilla and spread cream cheese on it, then put deli or lunch meat on there, with shredded cheese, and lettuce, and if you want tomato. Roll it up and then slice it into 1 inch slices. They look nice and taste great. Always a big hit when I make them.

Also, 7 layer dip is good with chips everyone can eat that too.

Sour cream ranch dip for the veggies, yum!

veggies and dips are good. bowl of green and red grapes are good. cheese cubes and or slices with crackers

My mind jumps to:

Football = Hot-wings & celery, or Sausage&Pepper Skewers, or Nachos, or Meatballs

Italian = Antipasti, Cannelini Bruschetta, Tomato Brischetta, Stuffed Mushrooms, Hummus, baguette cheese paninis (mozzarella for kids, peperjack, etc. for adults)

i say go simple.. mini hotdogs, chips & dip, and a tray of cheese, pepperoni & crackers (they have them premade at most supermarkets)

A tray of roasted veggies (bell peppers, zucchinis, eggplant, red onions) with some basil & rosemary.
Bruschetta - french bread slices toasted with chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, garlic & olive oil.
Same french bread slices toasted with herbed cheese like boursin, and pesto
Anti pasto plate - artichokes, olives, pepperoncinis, salami, provelone slices

-Chicken nuggets for the kids
-make your own tray of salami, diff kinds of smoked cheese, spicy mustard & small sliced bread
-chex mix
-cream cheese, ham & wrap roll ups. (slice & wrap)
-lil' smokies
-sm slow cooker of chili beans
-chicken roll ups (boil chicken breasts & shred or use rotisserie chicken
then take a big flour tortilla, sprinkle some shredded cheese, place
shredded chicken, add some diced black olives & green chili's from a
can, roll up, pin w/toothpick, set on baking sheet, spray w/cooking spray
& bake @ 350 for 10-15mins)

Mini Quiche
Brushetta
Veggies with hummus and dip
fruit with cool dip

Buffalo Chicken dip - serve it with crackers or veggies.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-dip/

Buffalo chicken dip. Sooooo yummy and easy.

I think crockpot meatballs in sauce would be great. You can keep them plugged in and it would go nicely w/ the pizza.

how about hummus or guacamole for dipping? pretty healthy for the kids too. Good luck!