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| Holiday Appetizers |
by Cindy SanchezStarting your festivities with the perfect appetizer is the beginning of a memorable occasion. Whether choosing to serve them cold or hot you will enjoy your guests more if you keep the hors d'oeuvres simple. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Artichoke Nibbles 2 jars (6 ounce) marinated artichoke hearts, chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 4 eggs 1/4 bread crumbs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon each pepper, oregano, Tabasco 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Drain marinade from one jar of artichokes into a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic in pan until soft. In mixing bowl, beat eggs then add remaining ingredients including onions and garlic. Pour into a greased baking dish. Place in a preheated 325-degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, about 10 minutes. Cut into 1 -inch squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. ~*~ Baked Stuffed Mushrooms 2 pounds medium sized mushrooms 1 cup finely chopped pecans 6 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley 1/2 cup soft butter 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt Dash pepper 3/4 cup cream Wipe mushrooms clean with damp cloth. Remove the caps and arrange in a shallow baking dish, hollow side up. Chop the stems and mix with other items, except cream. Heap the filling into mushrooms, and press down firmly. Pour the cream over, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until tender. Baste once or twice with the cream in the dish. Serves 10-12. ~*~ Creative Crab Balls 1/2 pound crab meat 1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs 1 egg (beaten) 2 tablespoons cocktail sauce 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons green onion (minced) 1 teaspoon parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard Dash red pepper Dash black pepper 1 cup potato chips (crushed) In large bowl, combine all ingredients except potato chips; mix well. Cover; chill for 1 hour. Form mixture into 36 balls, using rounded teaspoon for each. Roll in crushed potato chips; place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until hot and golden brown. Serve with cocktail sauce. ~*~ Pepperoni Pizza Roll 2 cups buttermilk baking mix 1/2 cup cold water 1/3 cup tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1 3 1/2 package sliced pepperoni, chopped 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Heat oven to 425 degrees. Mix baking mix and water until a soft dough forms. Beat vigorously 20 strokes. Turn dough out on to a lightly floured board and knead 5 times. Roll into a 15 by 9 inch rectangle. Mix tomato paste with seasonings. Spread over dough to within 1/2 inch from edges. Sprinkle pepperoni and cheese over dough. Roll up, beginning at a 15 inch side. Pinch edge to seal. Place roll seam side down on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Cut in to 3 inch slices. Serves 4. ~*~ Smokey Cheddar Ball 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, cut up 1 can (1 1/2 ounces) Condensed Bean with Bacon Soup 11/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 ounces) 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Chopped fresh parsley In 1-quart microwave-safe casserole, combine oil, onion and celery. Cover with lid; microwave on HIGH 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in cream cheese. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 30 seconds or until cream cheese is very soft. In large bowl, mash soup with fork. Stir in cream cheese mixture, Cheddar cheese and Worcestershire until well blended. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours. Shape into a ball; roll in parsley to coat. Serve with crackers. Makes about 3 cups. ~*~ Sesame Seed Rounds Makes 18 appetizers. 1/4 cup margarine 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 18- 2" bread rounds Heat oven to 325F. Combine margarine, cheese, & sesame seeds; mix until well blended. Spread on bread rounds. Bake at 325F, 15 minutes. ~*~ Party Meatballs 2 lbs ground beef 1- 4 oz can mushrooms, drained and finely minced 1/2 cup onions, finely minced 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 1 pkg instant onion soup mix, (do not prepare, this to be added dry) Mix together all ingredients, except the soups. Divide meat mixture and make into about 70 walnut size balls. Place on baking sheet, and bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until done. In casserole dish or crockpot, mix together the two soups and then gently stir in the meatballs. When ready to serve, if using casserole, return to oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes. If using crockpot, set to low heat about 1 hour before serving to heat through. ~*~ Herbed Rice Puffs 1 egg 1 cup cooked brown or white rice 1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs Vegetable oil Beat egg; stir in rice, poultry seasoning, salt, and cheese. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Shape by rounded teaspoonfuls into 15 one inch balls. Roll in bread crumbs. Heat oil (2-3") in 2-quart saucepan to 375 F. Fry rice balls until golden brown; drain. Makes 15 Puffs. Note:After frying, puffs can be coverec and refrigerated no longer than 12 hours. To heat, bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 350 F oven until hot, 10-12 minutes.  Recommended ReadingFast and Fabulous Hors D'Oeuvres: A Survival Guide for Today's Busy Entertainer by Michele Braden The author of Fast and Fabulous Dinner Parties now brings party-givers a revised and expanded version of a popular entertainment guide. In each of the 350 exciting recipes for dips, sauces, spread, pates, molds, pastries, and more, Braden includes advice for advance preparation, leaving the minimum of work for the day of the party. Truly a one-stop reference for today's entertainer who desires to save time without sacrificing taste. 8-page color insert. (courtesy: Amazon.com) |
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About the Author: Cindy Sanchez is the mother of four and the owner and editor of PracticalKitchen.com |
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Let's Get Cooking!
