Need an easy Appetizer

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I'm going to our staff Holiday party on Friday and I need an easy to make appetizer. I am cooking-challenged so need something quicky and easy to make. Any ideas?

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

I can't think of anything off the top of my head but if you go over to the cooking board (which is part of the creative boards), I'm sure you'll find lots of suggestions. Enjoy the party.

 

[MosMom]

You could do meatballs. Get frozen meatballs, a can of chili sauce, a jar of grape jelly. Combine the chili sauce and grape jelly and pour over the meatballs.

You could also do a meat and cheese tray. That requires no cooking and makes a great appetizer.

 

[robinb]

Is the party at night or during the day?

 

[jcsbama]

Spinach Dip. Buy a pack of Knorr Vegetable mix (on the soup aisle) and follow the recipe on the back. Absolutely the best spinach dip and it's so simple to make. Here's the recipe just to show you how easy it is. I usually serve it with crackers, but you can also serve with raw vegetables.

INGREDIENTS
1 package (10 oz.) baby spinach, chopped or 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream
1 cup Hellmann's ® or Best Foods ® Real Mayonnaise
1 package Knorr ® Vegetable recipe mix
1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional)
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

PREPARATION
Combine all ingredients and chill about 2 hours. Serve with your favorite dippers to your favorite people.

P.S.
If you sample it after you've mixed it up, you will be disappointed in the taste and think OMG I can't serve this. Trust me though, after it has chilled for 2 hours and the flavors have mixed together, it is delicious!

 

[tevagirl]

Heart attack ready to happen but everyone loves them.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies:
INGREDIENTS
1 pound sliced bacon, cut into thirds
1 (14 ounce) package beef cocktail wieners
3/4 cup brown sugar, or to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Refrigerate 2/3 of the bacon until needed. It is easier to wrap the wieners with cold bacon. Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar generously over all.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve, place the wieners in a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.

 

[krcit]

I second the Knorrs spinach dip. It always gets raves-I serve it in a hollowed out round loaf of pumpernickel. Just cut out the middle and tear that up. Arrange it around the loaf. I also serve baby carrots with it. Another super easy one is chili dip. Spread a layer of cream cheese, pour a can of beanless chili on it and then spread a layer of shredded cheese. I use Mexican. Cover with saran wrap and nuke it for 5-6 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips. Yum

 

[liamsaunt]

I'm not a big one for going "all out" for work functions. First off, you are paying for those ingredients from your personal funds, and, more importantly, I find people prefer easily recognizable foods, which is fine, and also makes things easier!

One option that would not be too expensive and would work for a "work" gathering: buy different flavored wraps (spinach, sun-dried tomato, etc) spread with cream cheese, a bit of sun dried tomato spread, then place over good deli turkey, decent cheese if you want, maybe some lettuce/spinach leaves, etc. Tightly roll up the wraps and then slice into 1 inch thick rounds, securing each with a toothpick. You could do different meats for different colored wraps. Bring signs to tell what everything is, and people will eat it up.
There is always the seven-layer dip with tortilla chip option. Or take grocery-packaged hummus and replate it with some precut store bought veggies and crackers.

If you want something fancier, please post back and I will give alternate ideas. I do have some, really! Also, is hot OK, or cold only, since it is a work gathering and you may not be able to keep warm/reheat?

 

[Beca]

melt a large box of velveeta and a two cans of rotel tomatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Bring a bag of tortilla chips....yumm...and easy!!!

 

[MoniqueU]

What about quesadillas cut in 4s with some guacamole and salsa on the side?

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

Great ideas everyone! Thank-you!

The party is at night at a co-worker's house. One person is making a turkey and we've chipped in for a Honey Baked Ham. Some folks are bringing side dishes too. And of course there will be lots of desserts

It usually is a lot of fun and lasts long into the night.

 

[aunt kelly]

Put an 8 oz package of cream cheese in the center of a pretty plate. (Sometimes I put the cream cheese on a small cutting board instead of a plate). Spread green pepper jelly over the cream cheese. Arrange wheat thins around the cream cheese. Put a cheese spreader on the plate so that your guests can spread the cream cheese over the wheat thins.

This appetizer is as simple as can be and everytime I have ever served it, it goes fast. It makes for a really nice presentation and the green pepper jelly looks very Christmassy.

 

[liamsaunt]

Ahh, then this is actually going to be an enjoyable event?? Please disregard my previous post in that case. It sounds like you are going to be having a traditional "Thanksgiving" type meal. How about...

Easiest: bring cooked shrimp and cocktail sauce, artfully arranged. You'll be a hero, but it's expensive.

Easier: An Italian crudite plate: really nice olives (if you like them), pickles, cheeses, salumi, stuffed pepperoncini, marinated mushrooms, dried sausages, thinly sliced..whatever looks good at the store, all arranged on a platter. Add lots of veggies (carrot sticks, celery sticks, thinly sliced cauliflower) to offset the rich meal to come.
Or...you could just bring some sparkling wine, the best appetizer of all!! If you don't drink alcohol, bring sparkling cider.

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

I have a variation on the cream cheese block that is super yummy and very easy:

NUTTY APRICOT SPREAD
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese
1/2 c. apricot preserves
2 T. sliced green onions
2 T. chopped nuts

Place cream cheese on a serving plate. Cover with preserves and then sprinkle with onions and nuts. Serve with crackers.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

Ahh, then this is actually going to be an enjoyable event?? Please disregard my previous post in that case. .

No offense taken

Your appetizer suggestions are wonderful!

Again, thanks everyone. Now the hard part will be deciding what to bring...

 

[Saphire]

I try not to bring anything that needs to be heated or warmed up to someones house, to save the host/hostess extra work. So a cold dip is a great idea. One of my favorite appetizers is Brushetta. You can bring thin sliced french bread along as well as crackers to serve with it. It is really good, and easy! (From Allrecipes)

INGREDIENTS
2 tomatoes, cubed
1 teaspoon dried basil (I use fresh, about 2 Tablespoons chopped)
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
seasoning salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mix tomatoes, dried basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, seasoning salt and ground black pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Can be doubled.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Shrimp Tray
Fruit Tray
Veggie Tray
Relish Tray
Cheese/Sausage Tray

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Heart attack ready to happen but everyone loves them.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies:
INGREDIENTS
1 pound sliced bacon, cut into thirds
1 (14 ounce) package beef cocktail wieners
3/4 cup brown sugar, or to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Refrigerate 2/3 of the bacon until needed. It is easier to wrap the wieners with cold bacon. Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar generously over all.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve, place the wieners in a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.

You can do this recipe in a crockpot too. Just cook on high for 3 hours. I am making them tomorrow night.

 

[flrose]

Another variation on the block of cream cheese:
Pour Salsa over it and serve w/tortilla chips.
Oh what you can do w/a block of cream cheese.

 

[golfgal]

Take a can of Pillsbury crescent rolls, flatten them all out, put a brick of cream cheese inside, wrap like a Christmas present with the dough, bake at 350° for how ever long it takes the rolls to brown, serve on a pretty plate with wheat thins. You can heat it at home and then wrap it in tin foil and a dish towel to keep it warm on your way over.