Budget appetizer ideas?

[sherry7]

DD's new school is having a welcome back picnic next weekend. Based on our last name, I need to bring an appetizer of some sort. I'm blank on ideas. My usual go-to item for pot lucks is either a dessert or a pasta salad, neither of which fall into the appetizer category. Any suggestions for an appetizer, that's easy on the budget? (We're paying tuition now, which is a budget buster.) If it can be served at room temperature, that's preferable. There will be about 100 families there, so I'd like to bring something that makes a decent quantity. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Southernmiss]

DD's new school is having a welcome back picnic next weekend. Based on our last name, I need to bring an appetizer of some sort. I'm blank on ideas. My usual go-to item for pot lucks is either a dessert or a pasta salad, neither of which fall into the appetizer category. Any suggestions for an appetizer, that's easy on the budget? (We're paying tuition now, which is a budget buster.) If it can be served at room temperature, that's preferable. There will be about 100 families there, so I'd like to bring something that makes a decent quantity. Thanks for any suggestions.

Cheese platter, crackers and grapes.

Vegetable platter with hummus.

 

[pigletto]

I like the veggie platter with hummus idea. You could buy some pitas as well and cut them into triangles for dipping. You can make your own hummus and cut up your own veggies to keep the costs down..

 

[Luv Bunnies]

How about deviled eggs? Lately I've been getting a pack of 18 eggs for $2.99. You just have to add the mayo and seasonings that you likely already have at home. You could make 36 halves for under $5. We had a neighborhood potluck on Labor Day and the deviled eggs were among my favorite things that people brought.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Sausage balls
Mini pigs-in-a-blanket

 

[pfp258]

Here is a fabulous bean dip
1 can pinto beans
1 can black-eyed peas ( unseasoned)
1 can white corn
1 1/2 cup celery diced thin
1 yellow pepper finely diced
6 green onions thinly sliced (greens too)
1 jalapeño finely diced

Drain and rinse beans. Add diced veggies to beans and corn.

Dressing
1/2 cup sugar ( I usually only do 1/4 -1/3)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Whisk together until sugar dissolves. Pour over bean mixture and refrigerate.

Eat with tortilla chips! It's delish!

 

[tinibee]

Olive tapanade and crackers

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/saucesdipsspreads/r/olivetap.htm

 

[java]

Tortilla roll ups
Easy! The are tons of recipes online for them. The ones i make have cream cheese, ranch powder, scallions, chopped olives and pimento.

 

[Judique]

The big bag of meatballs from Costco or Sam's with a sauce and toothpicks - easily prepared and they will all be enjoyed. You can use a tomato based sauce or a mango jarred salsa or whatever sweet, spicy or savoury you like.

You can also spend extra time making your own sauces and meatballs, but for me, time is my precious commodity, so it has to be quick.

 

[wishes114]

These are seriously good and kids love them too. I add a little oregano to the top. They can be served at room temperature.

Ingredients

Melba toast rounds
Ketchup
Pepperoni
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Save a shopping List
Directions

1
Cover a cookie sheet with Melba toast rounds.
2
Put a dollop of ketchup on each round.
3
Place a pepperoni on top of the ketchup.
4
Add mozzarella cheese to the top of the pepperoni.
5
Broil until cheese is melted.

 

[marmalade]

Tortilla roll ups
Easy! The are tons of recipes online for them. The ones i make have cream cheese, ranch powder, scallions, chopped olives and pimento.

I 2nd the tortilla roll ups, you can make a lot fairly cheap. A easy one I do is a smooth layer of cream cheese, some salsa and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Roll it up, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge to mold together and cut into bite size slices.

 

[MSSANDRA]

salsa and chips can be a yummy and low cost choice. We make our own salsa and can control the heat. If you really want to make a ton, go to Sams or BJs or Cosco and purchase one of the huge cans of tomatoes. Huge bags of chips are less expensive at these stores, and most of the time coupons are easy to find for these chips.

 

[tina.tina]

I like to make the Pampered Chef chicken and broccoli ring and cut it in small pieces for appetizers (leaving it in the ring shape). I've also just cut the crescents in smaller triangles and filled/baked them individually. Either way, people love it. A link to the recipe is below but I often just use chicken, broccoli, cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard. I think the spices/almonds, etc. are sort of optional. For even more time saving, I've used canned chicken.

Link to recipe

I love triscuits topped with salsa, sour cream, and cheese. These can be a pain and time consuming. Lately, I've just been mixing a dip of salsa, sour cream, and cheese, and serving the triscuits or tortilla chips on the side.