Favorite appetizers?

[DeniseJH]

Also, is there a certain brand of the raspberry chipotle sauce that anyone would recommend? I've never heard of it before, but would love to try it!

 

[DaisyD]

Hot crab dip. My mom comes over Christmas Eve along with my oldest child and spends the night. We have Chinese for dinner and then later have hot crab dip and sliced banquette while watching a new movie.

 

[mjkacmom]

I bought a big styrofoam thing at Joanne's craft store, covered it in plastic wrap so food wouldn't get bits of styrofoam on it. Bought a bunch of cheese and meats and stuck them in. Took time but was easy to do-my girls did a lot of it. It was so impressive! I will not put beets or mushrooms on it this year. Too messy. I may add pepperoncinis and anything else I can find. Any ideas?

Fresh mozzarella balls and prosciutto, maybe some provolone or chunks of Parmesan. I saw a few of those on my Facebook page last year. Some added sprigs of rosemary and some great basil.

 

[MataHari22]

I bought a big styrofoam thing at Joanne's craft store, covered it in plastic wrap so food wouldn't get bits of styrofoam on it. Bought a bunch of cheese and meats and stuck them in. Took time but was easy to do-my girls did a lot of it. It was so impressive! I will not put beets or mushrooms on it this year. Too messy. I may add pepperoncinis and anything else I can find. Any ideas?

Those toothpicks are absolutely perfect! I was thinking it might be a styrofoam cone, but didn't think of the plastic wrap. I was wondering about that.

Some ideas keeping in the Italian Antipasto theme:



Counterclockwise from top, tiny fresh mozzarella balls. I like them marinated, just a quick dip, because they get mushy if you leave them in any kind of acid. Or if you don't want to marinate, maybe a nice fresh basil leaf next to it, capped with a marinated sun-dried tomato next to anchor it. The next one is a cooked tortellini. You could marinate that. The bottom left is a nice mortadella. Could also get a thicker cut, and make cubes of it, if you don't want to fold the thin slices. And the last on the right, a good prosciutto and melon. Might make a nice contrast on the palate from the other items, a nice sweet and salty bite. Or what about some shrimp? Not sure if you guys are seafood people.

Maybe if I am feeling well enough I may try and do this on NYE, but not as large. I gotta say, well done, you! Great idea. I really wish I had this idea when I did catering in the past!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Fresh mozzarella balls and prosciutto, maybe some provolone or chunks of Parmesan. I saw a few of those on my Facebook page last year. Some added sprigs of rosemary and some great basil.

Ooh-great ideas!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Those toothpicks are absolutely perfect! I was thinking it might be a styrofoam cone, but didn't think of the plastic wrap. I was wondering about that.

Some ideas keeping in the Italian Antipasto theme:

View attachment 209836

Counterclockwise from top, tiny fresh mozzarella balls. I like them marinated, just a quick dip, because they get mushy if you leave them in any kind of acid. Or if you don't want to marinate, maybe a nice fresh basil leaf next to it, capped with a marinated sun-dried tomato next to anchor it. The next one is a cooked tortellini. You could marinate that. The bottom left is a nice mortadella. Could also get a thicker cut, and make cubes of it, if you don't want to fold the thin slices. And the last on the right, a good prosciutto and melon. Might make a nice contrast on the palate from the other items, a nice sweet and salty bite. Or what about some shrimp? Not sure if you guys are seafood people.

Maybe if I am feeling well enough I may try and do this on NYE, but not as large. I gotta say, well done, you! Great idea. I really wish I had this idea when I did catering in the past!

Also great ideas!

 

[emer95]

If you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd really like the recipe for the Brie bites - they sound awesome!

My pleasure!

In a mini phyllo cup (I use Athens brand) put a spoonful of pepper jelly, a small slice of Brie, and then sprinkle crushed up ginger snap cookies on it. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

These get gobbled up so quickly at my house. I've made them many different ways. Sometimes I can't find the ginger cookies so I just omit them. They're still great. Sometimes I switch around the order of the layers, or use very spicy jelly or very mild, and you just can't mess these up!

 

[Topper]

Crazy Feta Dip: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/creamy-feta-dip/

 

[DeniseJH]

My pleasure!

In a mini phyllo cup (I use Athens brand) put a spoonful of pepper jelly, a small slice of Brie, and then sprinkle crushed up ginger snap cookies on it. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

These get gobbled up so quickly at my house. I've made them many different ways. Sometimes I can't find the ginger cookies so I just omit them. They're still great. Sometimes I switch around the order of the layers, or use very spicy jelly or very mild, and you just can't mess these up!

Thank you - can't wait to try these!

 

[sasywtch]

My ex manager use to make the flour tortilla roll ups with cream cheese and meat and some cream cheese with cucumber for those who don't eat meat.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Crazy Feta Dip: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/creamy-feta-dip/

This sounds delicious. I think this is my final Christmas Eve appetizer! Thanks!

On a simpler note, recently at book club a Greek friend cubed a block of feta, drizzled olive oil on top and sprinkled oregano on it. Everyone was raving about it.

 

[Bren's Mom]

My 'go to' apps are:

Baked Brie Bites (similar to Emer's) I use a small cube of brie, Tastefully Simple bayou bourbon drizzled on then some finely chopped pecans. I've also done brie with cranberry chutney or apricot preserves and chopped walnuts. I've done them with goat cheese. The possibilities are endless. They all start with the Filo shells:

http://www.athensfoods.com/athens-mini-fillo-shells/#.WE66gywzWvE

And these keep frozen but you can remove from the freezer, fill and bake...no defrosting time needed. So they're GREAT for last minutes1

I also frequently make sugar weenies (mini hot dogs wrapped in bacon, dredged in brown sugar, baked) and bacon wrapped goat cheese stuffed dates.

 

[Marchand63]

View attachment 209812
This was a big hit last year.

You are my hero!!!!!!!!!!

Plus anything wrapped in bacon - scallops, asparagus- anything.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Crazy Feta Dip: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/creamy-feta-dip/

I made this last night and it is soooo flavorful! I'll let you know what my guests think after tonight.