Easy Apps needed for Girls Night In

[spare+a_pair]

I am having a Girls Night In on Friday night and I am looking for some good appetizer recipes. I would like something that can be thrown together quickly. Everyone is coming around 7:30 - any suggestions?

Thanks!

[runskyhy]

This is a variety of from-scratch and semi-homemade ideas...

Make no-bake cheesecake box mix, but prepare in lined mini muffin cups for individual servings - can be made in advance

Fill cooked phyllo mini-muffin cups fill with instant pudding and top with fruit.

fruit plate with dip

vegetable plate with dip

Quick Mini Taco Bowls
Fill Tostito Scoops with a little bit of preshredded lettuce, 1 tsp. preshredded cheese, 1 tsp. chunky salsa, & small dollop sour cream. Also add cooked, seasoned meat if feeling adventurous.

Mozzarella, with a Twist - can make in advance
Cube 1 lb. chunk of Mozzarella and toss with 2 tbs. pesto sauce, sprinkle with crushed red pepper and decorate with basil sprig.

Nutty Bites - can make in advance
3 oz. cream cheese
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tbs. maple syrup
100 pecan or walnut halves
Combine all ingredients except nuts. Place cream cheese mixture between a pair of nuts.

INSALATA CAPRESE SKEWERS - can make in advance
20 6" wooden skewers
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
20 large fresh basil leaves
20 1" diameter balls or cubes of fresh mozzarella
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
Place one cherry tomato half on a skewer. Wrap a basil leaf around a piece of mozzarella. Slide onto skewer next to cherry tomato. Slide a second tomato half onto skewer next to mozzarella. Repeat w/ remaining skewers. Drizzle with olive oil & season with salt & pepper.

White Pizza Crackers
1/2 cup frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
1/2 cup Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1/2 tsp. each: dried oregano leaves and garlic powder
Triscuit Crackers
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix broccoli, cheeses and seasonings. Spread 1 tsp. of the cheese mixture onto each of 48 crackers; place on baking sheets. Bake 5 min. or until hot and bubbly.

Bites, Canape, Angle Wing
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) brie cheese
1 pkg. (6.5 oz.) STELLA D'ORO ANGEL WINGS Cookies
3 Tbsp. raspberry jam
1/4 cup slivered Almonds
Cut cheese into 1/4-inch-thick bite-size pieces. Place cookies on foil-lined cookie sheet; top each with cheese, 1/2 tsp. jam and almonds. Bake at 350° F for 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is softened.

Cookie Dough Bites - can make in advance
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
8 oz. mini chocolate chips
Mix ingredients and roll into balls. Place on lined cookie sheet and chill 30 minutes. Can be dipped in chocolate to coat.

[MazdaUK]

Have a look on the Pampered chef website for the hot broccoli dip - that always goes down well, and they have a lot of quick recipes.

[Katy Belle]

Jalapeno popper spread

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
2 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained


DIRECTIONS
Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish.
Microwave on High until hot, about 3 minutes.

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I usually bake it, instead of microwaving it. I just put it in at 350 for 25 min.

Serve with ritz crackers.