Easy Party Appetizers
Appetizer Recipes | Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Stuffed Endive Leaves and more easy appetizer recipes.
Easy Appetizer Recipes | Parties – what fun and camaraderie! But the hostess should have fun too, and not be frazzled or stuck in the kitchen. These fabulous appetizers for the most part can be done ahead, and don’t require a lot of fuss. Now even the hostess can enjoy herself along with her friends! Don’t feel guilty, either, about using good prepared foods. There are excellent choices of ready-made appetizers out there.
Augment purchased appetizers with one or two homemade and you will receive rave reviews!
Easy Appetizer Recipes | RITA’S HOT SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP
1 pkg, 8 oz, cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup ea: mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese
1 large clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 can, 14 oz, artichoke hearts packed in rine, drained and coarsesly chopped
1 cup frozen spinach, thawed, well drained, or couple handfuls fresh spinach,
chopped
1-1/2 cups mozzarealla chees, shredded
Blend cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan, garlic, basil and garlic salt. Add artichokes and spinach. Bake in sparayed casserole at 350 for 10 minutes. Top with mozzarella and cook about 30 minutes total until cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve with crackers or crudites. Serves 12.
TIP FROM RITA’S KITCHEN: Yes, this can be made ahead and frozen. Simply adjust baking time or thaw in frig the night before.
Easy Appetizer Recipes | STUFFED ENDIVE LEAVES
Using purchased herb cheese spread makes this a snap to make! It’s so versatile, too. You can put this into a crock and surround it with crackers, or pipe it into Belgian endive leaves for an elegant appetizer.
1 container favorite herb cheese spread
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ stick butter, softened
¼ teaspoon garlic
3-4 heads Belgian endive
Blend cream cheese mixture together well. Separate endive leaves. Pipe or spoon a small amount in the bottom of each leaf. Decorate with an edible flower or herb.
Appetizer Recipes | CHEESE TRAY
Yes, you need protein if alcoholic beverages are served. A simple cheese tray of mixed cheeses or cubes of cheese with olives goes over well.
Appetizer Recipes | FRUIT
Sure, go ahead and have fruit. A bowl of mixed cut fruit is nice as a light dessert.
Appetizer Recipes | LOWER FAT LOW CARB MESQUITE TURKEY SPREAD
On a low carb diet but still want lots of flavor? Try this!
8 oz mesquite turkey, cubed
6 oz white or yellow cheddar, cubed
3/4 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Chopped parsley for garnish
In a food processor, finely chop turkey and cheese. Mix in everything else. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with veggies and crackers. Serves 24.
Calories per serving: 75; Fat: 6 gm; Carb: 1 gm
Appetizer Recipes | PICO DE GALLO
Sort of like a guacamole dressed up! Delicious and can be done ahead by
squeezing some lemon juice over the top to keep it from browning.
2 avocados, diced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup diced onion
cilantro to taste
6 tomatoes, seeded and diced
Salt, pepper
Just mix everything together. Serve with tortilla chips.
Appetizer Recipes | SOUTHWESTERN STYLE BRUSCHETTA
Such a good and easy appetizer recipe. Go to taste here. Toast the French bread rounds ahead of time by brushing with a little olive oil and toasting in a 350 degree oven for several minutes, or until golden.
3 tomatoes, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 small bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped, or a shake of cayenne red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup or so black beans, rinsed and drained
4-5 tablespoons ea: red wine vinegar and olive oil
Several sprigs cilantro, chopped, to taste
Sea salt to taste
Mix everything well. Serve piled on toasted bread rounds – French bread preferably.
TIPS FROM RITA’S KITCHEN:
No time to make this? Don’t fret. If you don’t want to make your own bruschetta, feel free to get a jar of it at the grocery. Kroger’s carries one of my favorites under its private label brand. All I do is mix it with a finely chopped tomato, spread it on toasted bread rounds and sprinkle with Parmesan and basil!
Appetizer Recipes | TORTILLA ROLLUPS
1 pkg cream cheese, 8 oz, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 small can chopped black olives
1/2 cup sour cream
4 oz can diced green chilies
1 pound ground ham – process in food processor
10 flour tortillas, about 9” diameter
Leaf lettuce
Mix everything together but lettuce leaves. Spread over each tortilla. Lay lettuce on top and roll up. Trim ends and slice into spirals. Can be done several hours before serving. Makes about 40 spirals.
Appetizer Recipes | MARINATED CHEESE & OLIVES
Brie and mozzarella work well also.
1 lb Mexican white cheese, cut into chunks
Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 teaspoon oregano
1-2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon rosemary
Red pepper flakes to taste
Dash paprika (opt)
Mixed olives, to taste (remove pits if necessary or let guests know they
contain pits)
Combine everything together. As for the olive oil, pour enough over to coat. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Appetizer Recipes | A great mix of Appetizer Recipes for every occaission.
©2006-2010 Rita Heikenfeld and AboutEating.com
