Ok girls, I need your recommendations for some GREAT appetizers!

So somehow DH and I got suckered in to hosting Christmas at our house this year. Being that there is going to be 13 people, I couldn't do a sit-down dinner because of lack of table space. So when I was talking with my aunt about what dishes to have, she half-jokingly/half-seriously suggested serving just all appetizers. And since it wasn't going to be a sit-down dinner anyway, I thought that it was a good idea.

So now......I am drawing a blank on ideas for appetizers! I could definitely use your recommendations for some fairly easy, can pretty much satisy everyone's appetites, and obviously delicious appetizers! Help!

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Posted by eleven29bride

MAybe do an informal buffet, instead of apps? You can make a few pasta dishes, chicken dish, a nice salad? That may be easier than trying to come up with all apps.

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That was our original plan but then when the idea of appetizers came up, I thought it would be easier for people to eat being that we're not going to be seated at a table. I mean, I'll have coffee tables, end tables and all that stuff but it's still not the same as having a table to eat from.

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Posted by MikeandJess

stuffed mushrooms, pigs in a blanket. mozarella over tomatoes with some balsamic vinegar, shrimp cocktail. That's all I got for now. Oh wait rachael ray has a recipe for buffalo chicken balls, I've made them for parties and people really liked them. Let me know if you want the recipe

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Oooh Yum! Thanks!

rice balls, spinach dip, clam dip.

we might do the same on christmas eve - we haven't figured out the menu yet.

there's nothing about this that's good for the waistline but it is soooo yummy!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 box frozen chopped spinach thawed (i also squeeze out the excess water)
1 can artichoke hearts (14 oz) drained and roughly chopped
1 cup shredded parmesan-romano cheese blend
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 oz prepared Alfredo sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
4 oz softened cream cheese (1/2 package)

Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and spread mixture into a small baking dish.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.

Chili cheese dip..goes over so well

1 8oz package of cream cheese
1 can hormel chili
Shredded cheese (i use the four cheese packet from kraft)

Spread layer of cream cheese on the bottom of a pie plate. Spread layer of chili on top. The n add shredded cheese tot he top layer. Bake on 375 until cheese melts and browns slightly.

Get a bowl of nacho and DELISH. Always the hit at the party.

Also i have an excellent homemade bruschetta recipe. Let me know if you want it and i will find it for you.

Spinach dip in a bread bowl is also a great hit and quiche. An Italian antipasta

I am a big entertainer so i usually make a lot of different things.

Mini quiches-you can either buy them frozen or I make them in mini muffin tins with pre-made pie dough.
I also like pigs in a blanket.
You can do cherry tomatoes, a cube of mozz. and basil on a toothpick with some balsamic for a dipping sauce.
Quesadillas are really easy apps too-you could do chicken and cheddar with salsa or you can do something like brie and pear inside.
Mini burgers with the toppings-they fit on a regular size bun too.
Corn cakes with sour cream.


Some of them sound really fancy but are minimal work. Feel free to FM me if you need help/recipes. I'd be happy to help!

fried zucchini sticks with marinara and fried calamari with marinara sauce

tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinegar

you can buy mini hot dogs and wrap them in bacon

stuffed mushrooms

on italian bread you can make mini pizza bites

mini rice balls

coconut shrimp or maybe shrimp skewers or chicken skewers or beef

some place sell like shrimp dumplings and you can just heat it up

you can put out a deli platter with like prosciutto, different cheeses such as provolone, supresata, and a bunch of other things you like, and around put like cucumbers and stuff.

baked clams

mozzarella sticks

mini quiche's

fried macaroni and cheese bites, maybe with sliders

jalapeno poppers

taquitos

or go on foodnetwork.com and see what recipes they have, they should have lots of options

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Posted by bensgirl

there's nothing about this that's good for the waistline but it is soooo yummy!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 box frozen chopped spinach thawed (i also squeeze out the excess water)
1 can artichoke hearts (14 oz) drained and roughly chopped
1 cup shredded parmesan-romano cheese blend
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 oz prepared Alfredo sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
4 oz softened cream cheese (1/2 package)

Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and spread mixture into a small baking dish.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.

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I had friends over tonight and tried this. It was yummy!

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Posted by Espo22

fried zucchini sticks with marinara and fried calamari with marinara sauce

tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinegar

you can buy mini hot dogs and wrap them in bacon

stuffed mushrooms

on italian bread you can make mini pizza bites

mini rice balls

coconut shrimp or maybe shrimp skewers or chicken skewers or beef

some place sell like shrimp dumplings and you can just heat it up

you can put out a deli platter with like prosciutto, different cheeses such as provolone, supresata, and a bunch of other things you like, and around put like cucumbers and stuff.

baked clams

mozzarella sticks

mini quiche's

fried macaroni and cheese bites, maybe with sliders

jalapeno poppers

taquitos

or go on foodnetwork.com and see what recipes they have, they should have lots of options

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Denise-I like your menu! A bunch of my favorite things. Yum.

bruschetta, maybe with a thin layer of pesto

hummus, spinach artichoke dip, crab or lobster dip, 7 layer dip pita slices

potato skins

mozzarella sticks

mini riceballs

potato croquettes

fried zucchini sticks

fried calamari

shrimp cocktail

breaded and fried shrimp

dumplings, potstickers, wontons

mini quiches

pigs in a blanket

mini focaccia pizza bites

mini egg rolls

tray of sushi if your guests are into that

tray of cheese, crackers, deli meat, olives, cherry peppers stuffed with provolone and prosciutto, marinated artichoke hearts

hot wings

jalapeno poppers

mini taquitos

macaroni salad, cole slaw

I would also do maybe one or two types of pasta, big salad, garlic bread, rolls

costco freezer section seriously has so many appetizers!

oh and tons of drinks!!

sounds like a fun party! lol

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Posted by Cutechef729

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Posted by Espo22

fried zucchini sticks with marinara and fried calamari with marinara sauce

tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinegar

you can buy mini hot dogs and wrap them in bacon

stuffed mushrooms

on italian bread you can make mini pizza bites

mini rice balls

coconut shrimp or maybe shrimp skewers or chicken skewers or beef

some place sell like shrimp dumplings and you can just heat it up

you can put out a deli platter with like prosciutto, different cheeses such as provolone, supresata, and a bunch of other things you like, and around put like cucumbers and stuff.

baked clams

mozzarella sticks

mini quiche's

fried macaroni and cheese bites, maybe with sliders

jalapeno poppers

taquitos

or go on foodnetwork.com and see what recipes they have, they should have lots of options

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Denise-I like your menu! A bunch of my favorite things. Yum.

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lol thank you, i tried to think of appetizers i usually love to have.

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Posted by reneemarie2

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Posted by bensgirl

there's nothing about this that's good for the waistline but it is soooo yummy!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 box frozen chopped spinach thawed (i also squeeze out the excess water)
1 can artichoke hearts (14 oz) drained and roughly chopped
1 cup shredded parmesan-romano cheese blend
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 oz prepared Alfredo sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
4 oz softened cream cheese (1/2 package)

Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and spread mixture into a small baking dish.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.

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I had friends over tonight and tried this. It was yummy!

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oh good! yay! i'm glad everybody liked it. it's supposed to be like the applebee's spinach/artichoke dip....i was obsessed with that dip a few years ago and googled it and this is what came up. i don't think it's exactly right but it's still sooo yummy! :)