Favorite hors d'oeuvre recipes: post them here!

[Frogtutor]

All these holiday parties will be going on for weeks now. I noticed Bearfan's Armadillo Eggs recipe (sounds yummy), and I thought it might be nice for us to post our favorite appetizer recipes. All of my favorites have one thing in common; they're EASY, because I'm lazy and impatient (when it comes to cooking, anyway). ;) I'll start:

Cream Cheese-Raspberry Chipotle Dip:

1 8oz. block of cream cheese
1 bottle raspberry chipotle sauce* (or something similar)
Ritz crackers

Just pour the sauce over the cream cheese, and let guests spread it on crackers to eat.

*I'm sorry; I can't think of the brand name of the raspberry chipotle sauce I use, and it may even be only locally available, but I'm sure there are others available elsewhere.


Barbecue Little Smokies:

1 pkg. Little Smokies Sausages (I use the "lite" variation)
1 bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
Grape Jelly to taste

This recipe works well in a Crockpot, or sauce pan. Pour chili sauce over the Little Smokies, and add grape jelly for that "barbecue sauce sweetness" to your taste. Stir while heating.


Ham-Cream Cheese Pinwheels:

Lunch meat ham slices
Spreadable cream cheese

Dry ham slices with paper towels. Spread cream cheese over ham slices as evenly as possible. Roll each ham slice up tightly, and slice into 1/2" slices.
This might be especially good with flavored cream cheese, such as green onion and chives.


Classic Rot-el Dip:

1 lb. Velveeta, cut into cubes
1 can Rot-el tomatoes (any variety, undrained)
Chopped red onion and/or chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Tortilla chips

Put Velveeta into a microwavable casserole dish. Pour Rot-el over it, and add onion and/or cilantro if desired. Cover and microwave for two minutes. Stir well. Microwave more if cheese is not yet melted.
Serve with tortilla chips.
* This can also be made in a small Crockpot; it's extra nice if kept warm!

[Eurobabe]

1. Artichoke Dip and Crab Dip

These both ROCK! Especially served piping hot on Pepperidge Farm Butter Crackers.

ARTICHOKE DIP

1 can of artichoke hearts in water, drained and mashed (I chop mine up with knife)

1/2 cup of mayonnaise (Hellman's)
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

Garlic powder to taste (usually put in alot, like 2 tbsp. the more the better!!)

Stir all ingredients together and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes until slightly browned on top, and bubbly. Serve hot with crackers.

CRAB Dip

2 pkgs 8 oz cream cheese
2 7.5oz. King Crab drained
4 tbsp. dry sherry
2 tsp. lemon juice
Dash of Tabasco

Combine all ingredients and bake in shllow disj at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with slivered almonds. Serve hot with crackers.

[wiggs]

10. I have a similar artichoke di p recipe, but

...my favorite way to serve is to stuff mushrooms with it then roast....awesome.

[Beaverhausen]

15. I add a cup of Mozzarella to that artichoke dip!!! It is always a hit

I keep meaning to add spinach to it too but always forget.

[bearfan454]

2. Here's a couple easy ones for you guys

Easy tostadas:
Lay out some large tostada shells. Spread canned refried beans on top of them.(You can mix a small amount of water with the canned refried beans to make it easier to spread)Add a layer of grated cheese. Bake on a cookie sheet in the oven at 450 until the cheese melts. Top with diced tomatoes, diced jalapenos, sour cream, sliced black olives, and diced onions.

Another easy one:
Take a soft flour tortilla and spread cream cheese on it. I like cream cheese and sliced black olives. Roll it up. Cut in bite size pieces and toothpick. Makes an easy and quick appetizer.

[The empressof all]

3. Toasts

Brush Garlic and olive oil on thinly sliced baguette. Grill on George Foreman

Mix stick of softened butter and block of cream cheese in food processor with Pesto (to taste--I use quite a bit)

Slather toasts with Pesto spread and top with Parmesan Cheese.

Pop under the broiler until cheese is melty

These will be devoured as quickly as you can make them


Options:

Top with diced tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, what-ever after broiling.

[eyesroll]

4. Here's one

Fill (pre-made, frozen, if you wish) tartlet shells with a hint of roquefort cheese, toasted walnuts (toast in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds) and sauteed pears. Drizzle the top with walnut oil and just a touch of black pepper. Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and shells are warm. (Carmelized onions are a good addition, but I know many people don't like onions at parties)

[The empressof all]

5. Oooooooooooooooooooh

That sounds lovely. I'm gonna try that. Thanks

[NMDemDist2]

6. easy pigs in a blanket

buy crescent rolls and lil smokies. Cut each "crescent" square in half diagonally (so you have a triangle)

wrap the lil smokies in the dough and bake as directed.

serve with gourmet mustard (or a variety of mustards) chili sauce, herb mayonaise or what ever strikes your fancy :)

they are a hit every time and easy as pie. Kids love to "help" make them too!

[cmf]

7. Here are a couple

Spinach Dip

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
Hawaiian bread (or any round bread)

Mix cream cheese, sour cream and salad dressing mix in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Refrigerate. To serve, cut out center of Hawaiian bread and scoop dip into bread bowl (it should just fit). Cut up the piece of bread that you cut out into smaller pieces to use for dipping.


Caramel & Toffee Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 crushed Skor or Heath bars
1/2 cup Caramel sauce

In a bowl, mix together cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add crushed candy bars and caramel sauce while mixing.

Serve with sliced apples dipped in lemon juice, strawberries, bananas or any other fruit you like.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. Fischer & Weiser makes the Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

and a bunch of other really good stuff.

[Frogtutor]

9. Yeah! That's the one

It's made in Fredericksburg, Texas, so I wondered if maybe they just sell it locally. Man, I could just sit and eat that over cream cheese with a spoon...

Thanks for posting the name!

[merci_me]

11. Check one I posted in the potluck post

I have a really simple tortellini kabob that works very well in this category.

[merci_me]

12. Swiss Cheese & Cherry Spread

My daughter who hates Swiss cheese looooves this one.

Swiss Cheese & Cherry Spread

3 cups shredded Swiss cheese (12 oz)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup dried tart red cherries (can use the dried cran-cherries)
1/2 cup mayo
2 tsp. Dijoin mustard
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions

Bring cheese and butter to room temp. Meanwhile, snip cherries and cover with boiling water and let stand 10 minutes. Drain well; pat cherries dry with paper towels and set aside.

Place cheese, butter, mayo and mustard in a food-processor bowl. Cover and process till combined. Stir in cherries and green onions; cover and refrigerate.

Serve with crackers or cocktail breads (I use rye or whole wheat)

Makes about 2 cups.

Mary

[merci_me]

13. Greek Cheese Spread

Greek Cheese Spread

3/4lb butter
8oz cream cheese (not low-fat)
4oz feta cheese
1/2 tsp oregano
1 garlic cloves smashed
tomatoes diced (about 3)
sliced or chopped black olives (I use a small can)
2 bunches green onions sliced
salt & pepper to taste (I generally skip the salt)
various mild jarred peppers (optional)

Cut butter and cheeses into chunks and put into food processor. Add oregano and garlic and process just until blended.
Arrange the cheese in a mound on a plate. Sprinkle over and surround with tomatoes, olives, onions and lay any peppers around for added color.

I use pita triangles, but any cracker will work fine.
The cheese will last a few weeks in the fridge

Mary

[Blue Gardener]

14. Chicken Enchilada Dip

This stuff is fantastic.

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
8 oz. mayonnaise
1-8 oz pkg shredded cheddar cheese
1-4 oz. can diced green chili peppers
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (I like to add two)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken breast halves on baking sheet. Bake for at least 20 minutes, or until no longer pink. Remove from heat. Cool and shred (the Pampered Chef chopper works great for this). Place chicken in bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, green chili peppers and jalapeno peppers. Place into a medium baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

[chefgirl]

16. A Few

*Salmon Mousse on Cucumber Slices*
Poach one salmon steak in white wine and dill.
When cooled, flake and put into food processor with 4 ounces of cream cheese and S&P. Blend until smooth.
Slice cucumbers into approx. 1/2 inch slices. They look especially nice of you score the outside with a channel knife before slicing.
Put mousse into piping bag (or ziploc bag) with your favorite tip (I use a star tip).
Pipe a small amount of mousse onto each slice. Dust with Old Bay Seasoning.

*Brie and Raspberry en croute*
Roll out one sheet of Pepperidge Farm puff pastry to approx. 12x12 inches.
With a pastry wheel or knife cut pastry into 2 inch squares. Place a small dab of brie and a small dab of raspberry jam in the middle of each one.
Wet the edges of the squares with a bit of water and fold one end over the other to make a triangle.
Seal the edges by pinching with a fork. Brush with beaten egg yolk.
Bake, on parchment lined cookie sheet, at about 400 degrees for approx. 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
These are excellent served with honey mustard dip.

*Sea Scallops and Bacon*
(This is the easiest hors d'oeuvre I know of, and possibly the tastiest)
Wrap one slice of bacon around the edge of each Sea Scallop, secure with a toothpick.
Bake, on a rack placed inside a baking sheet, at approx. 400 degrees until bacon reaches desired doneness.

-chef-

[lukasahero]

18. Additionally

I marinate the scallops in a dijon/white wine mix (2 tblspoons each) and then roll them. Lovely.

[KittyWampus]

17. Tahini & Miso On A Dikon Radish Slice With Olive

Easy and yummy!

This is Japanese and/or 'macrobiotic' but still worth exploring.


Mix some tahini and white miso together.
Spread onto a dikon slice.
Top with 1/4 of a quality olive.

[grasswire]

19. our favorites

Hasty Hots (Sunset magazine from a couple of decades ago)

Spread little party rye slices or quartered bread slices of any kind with a mixture of mayo, sliced green onion and grated parmesan cheese, and broil until bubbly and browned. You can broil one side until toasted and then spread the other side and broil til bubbly if you want to finesse them. They're VERY addictive.

Tennessee cheese log

Mix cream cheese with some chopped walnuts, A1 sauce and finely minced garlic, form into a log shape and roll in chili powder. Yum!

[NMDemDist2]

20. ahhh those Hasty Hots!!! they are the BEST

i had a roommate who made them for us once and we (the other house mates and I) were instantly hooked

[Pert_UK]

21. TWo REALLY easy ones......

1 - similar to your own idea, but you pour a load of Thai sweet chilli sauce over the cheese. You can use plain cream cheese, but it's FAR FAR better if you use a decent soft creamy blue cheese like dolcelatte or Saint Agur or even Danish Blue. Dip rice crackers, thick potato chips or chopped carrots/celery/peppers/cucumber into the cheese.

2 - use a decent breadknife to slice a French loaf (baguette) into lots and lots of thin slices. Bake them in the oven for about 30 mins on a medium heat until they're golden brown and crisp. Take 'em out and let 'em cool. You can then "top" them with your choice, but I'd recommend:

- decent French smooth duck liver pate (preferably flavoured with something like Cointreau or champange or truffles)
- smoked salmon pate
- decent soft blue cheese
- homemade chicken liver pate

Serve them on a big white plate with some roughly crushed peppercorns and some rock salt.

[Jessica]

22. Not very fancy, but ...

People always love these & ask me for my recipe. And for some reason, pepperoni rolls are a West Virginia thing - they're really good. Hope you try them!

Pepperoni Rolls:

You'll need:
Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
Stick of pepperoni - cut into small-medium chunks
*Or slices of pepperoni - whichever you prefer*
Shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheeses
Pizza sauce
Tabasco
Garlic-flavored Salsa
Grated Parmesan
Dry Oregano
Egg

Add salsa & Tabasco to pizza sauce - till it tastes the way you like it. Roll out biscuit. Place small spoonful of sauce in the middle of
biscuit; add a little cheese on top of sauce to prevent dripping; add a few pieces of pepperoni chunks; put more cheese on top. Fold the two sides of the biscuit over the filling & then fold the ends in & pinch them closed. Place seam-down on greased cookie sheet, then brush the top with egg & sprinkle Parmesan & Oregano on top. Bake according to the biscuit can, or until tops are golden-brown.

Note: Watch how much sauce you use -- if you use too much, it'll squirt out while baking.

Variation: You can also add banana peppers -- very good :) But, blot them with a paper towel first.

[opiate69]

23. Stuffed Mushrooms..

I'm still kind of messing around with the ingredients, but generally, I just use regular button mushrooms, and make the stuffing out of the stems of the mushrooms, shrimp, a little bit of italian bread crumbs, a touch of lemon zest and lots of fresh Parmesan Regianno. Mince and mix the stuffing real good, stuff the caps, drizzle a little olive oil over 'em, and grate some more parmesan on top.. bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how many you're making.

[grasswire]

24. that's close to what I do

I sweat the chopped up stems in a bit of butter with some minced garlic, scallion, minced parsley, then add some bread crumbs and grated parmesan and a bit of olive oil. Stuff the mushrooms and bake.

[NashVegas]

25. My Mexicali Dip

16 ounces cream cheese
1 packed of Ortega taco seasoning (I hate it for tacos, but love it for this)

blend well and spread in a 9x13 dish or similar

light layer of diced jalapeños (red and green)

light layer of *flavorful* celery (if it's mediocre, don't bother)

layer of shredded lettuce
layer of flavorful tomatoes (again, only if you can find flavorful)
light layer of shredded cheddar

I know it sounds anal, but if you can't find really flavorful tomatoes and celery, it's not worth the bother - their taste will not stand out among all the other stuff.