Appetizer help

[mommytotwo]

We might be going to our friend's birthday party. One of her friends is making spagetthi, garlic bread, and salad. And I am to bring an appetizer that will go along with it if we attend.
Any suggestions and recipes?

 

[Alaska Catdog]

get yourself some nice olives (a few varieties, green, black, kalamata)
some good italian salami or italian roast beef thinly sliced or both
some good provolone cheese
some nice marinated vegetables (find in the pickle section at the grocery store)
some fresh mozerella
arrange it on a platter artfully and serve with nice crusty bread.

It's simple, pretty and delicious.

 

[Beca]

Ooooh!!! One of my favorite all-time appetizers would go REALLY well with that. It is a knock-off of The Old Spaghetti Factory's Creamy Pesto dressing. Make this at least one day before and refrigerate it. Serve it as a dip with warm french bread...it is beyond yummy!!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup oil (I use hald olive and half canola)
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons crushed dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, minced



Directions:

Whisk together oil and mayonnaise. Add buttermilk, cheese, basil, salt, garlic. Mix thoroughly. Cover and let flavors meld overnight in refrigerator. This also will made an excellent chicken marinade

 

[Tracey1974]

I would do a hot spinach/artichoke dip or a nice antipasto platter like Alaska said. You can't go wrong with a fresh veggie platter with dip either!

 

[daisyduck123]

My favorite appetizer, aside from a veggie platter, is Tastefully Simple's Beer Bread...if you know anyone who is a Tastefully Simple representative, that is a sure-fire hit at parties when served with their Spinach & Herb mix (for dip).

 

[jonestavern]

Steamed clams or mussels dressed with simple garlic & butter would be nice, also.
for my garlic butter I like to saute up a bit of crushed red pepper flakes in the clarified butter, then add in a lot of garlic & quickly saute. It's very simple. Just don't be standing directly over the saute pan when the crushed red pepper flakes first hit the heat! Provide a few fresh lemons.
for a quick stromboli:
micro defrost frozen bread dough. Roll it out to about a 10" wide by 12 -14" length. Visualize the dough in 3 columns, you are going to fill the middle space, & fold over the 2 outer columns
Put down 1 layer of your choice of deli cut Italian cold cuts. I do hot ham, Genoa salami etc. Then I layer with Provolone &/or fresh Parmesean. From here, let your imagination flow. I use thawed & squeezed frozen spinach &/or sliced pitted olives, sauted onions or drained & chopped bottled artichokes, marinated mushrooms etc.
Fold both sides of the dough over to form a log. seal edges with water. Place seam side down on parchment lined sheet pan. Apply an egg wash & pop into oven at about 350 for 15-25 minutes. Usually there are instructions on the bread dough package
Let rest a few minutes then place on your serving platter, slice on the bias.
Often I will decorate the plater w/fresh cherry tomatoes & bunches of fresh basil or oregano or Italian parsley

Jean

 

[sarahbelleca]

I was also going to suggest an antipasto tray. My favorite thing to add to an antipasto tray is so simple, I had it at a work party and now make it frequently. Take a slice of salami, spread some cream cheese on it, put some peppercinis in the middle, roll it up and put a toothpick through it to hold it together. They have been a big hit everytime I have served them!

 

[Tazicket]

What about bruschetta? It's really easy and also yummy. Just cut a loaf of bread into slices and toast. Then, rub them with a clove of garlic and spread some chopped tomatoes on them. Drizzle on some olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and basil.