I need a good suggestion for making appetizers! I am going to my parents house on Sunday for an early St. Patty's day dinner with my inlaws and cousins. My DH (the cook in our house) will be away for the weekend at a conference, so I'm all alone in this. I want something different, not the usual pigs in the blanket, potato puffs, etc. My inlaws are mederterranian and don't eat the same american food we do. Does anyone have any suggestions? I had asked my DH for some, but all he said is that I should use my imagination and just experinment! That's because that's what he does, and things always taste great! I'm not much like that and want to stand on my own (well with a little bit of help from LIW!)
Thanks for any leads! Lora
WithThisRing
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Re: All you cooks out there...
hmmm sorry...
the only thing i could suggest is potato skins...
you cook the potato's in the microwave till they are soft.
let them cool for a little, then with a spoon take out the insides but leaving about an inch or so of potato.
then if you have a deep fryer or even a regular frying pan with oil fry the skins till they are golden brown.
drain them from the oil, add your favorite cheese and maybe bacon
pop in the oven for about 15 minutes (or until cheese is melted)
my stuffed mushroom recipe is super simple and always a bit hit:
pull off stems and chop up add some seasoned breadcrumbs, salt & pepper & grated parm cheese add enough olive oil to make the mixture moist
stuff it back into the mushroom caps and bake at 375 for 20-25 or so minutes.
LisaT
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mini quiches? (frozen at costco) stuffed breads swedish meatballs
LisaT
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an antipasto spread: assorted olives, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, mozzarella, etc.
Scoop
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Fried calamari with sauce.
Buy the calamari & fry with oil, lemon juice & bread crumbs....then of course add salt.
LisaT
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candied pecans:
1\2 cup packed brown sugar 2 tbsp orange juice 2cups pecans
mix & microwave 6-8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes spread on cookie sheet until cool
prncssrachel
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Ok, I don't know if this is what you're going for, but give it a try...... Pinwheels: buy the big bag or tortillas, the large ones. 2 bricks of cream cheese pre-shredded cheese, the nacho kind or juts cheddar. 2 small cans of sliced olives. 2 cans of chopped green chiles, or the larger sliced ones. let the cream cheese sit to soften, then mix everything together and spread a THIN coat on each tortilla, roll them up, cover with saran wrap, refrigerate for a little while to firm up the cream cheese again. Slice them into about inch thick pieces and serve! Voila
Mango/Papaya Salsa: 1 Mango 1Papaya 1 can of pineapple chunks 1/4 cup of cilantro sea salt, to taste 1 green chile, take the seeds out, you'll thank me. dice up everything, but mince the chile, it's hot! Add it all together, let it sit, and there you go! It's so good
LisaT
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olive oil bread dip (trying to come up with things that have a mediterrean feel)
3 tablespoons olive oil (more or less depending on you) 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1. Pour olive oil into flat dish. 2. Add rest of ingredients and stir. 3. Dip your bread and enjoy!
LisaT
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crab cakes? (there's quality canned crab at Costo - but you have to get the right brand: Phillips)
there are various recipes online - I've learned the simplier the better: crab, breadcrumbs, celery & onion - mix with a mayo/dijion sauce. Form in your hand into little patties. Fry till golden on each side.
You can make a bunch of sauces to dip in.
jennbaby
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definately do stuffed mushrooms I love them!!!
Karen H
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A cheese and cracker platter with fresh fruit - grapes, strawberries, etc.
Or here's an easy one of my Mom's that I like that does not require heating - Open-Faced Mini Cucumber Sandwiches
White sandwich bread Cream Cheese (softened) Cucumber Garlic Salt Paprika
Peel the cucumber and slice cucumber circles. Set aside.
Use a shot glass or small biscuit cutter to cut circles from the slices of white bread - about the diameter of your cucumer. (discard crust or use for breadcrumbs in another dish)
Spread each bread circle with cream cheese. (whipped cream cheese is easiest, or let the cream cheese warm just a bit and mix with a mixer to 'fluff')
Shake some garlic salt onto each circle.
Place a cucumber on top of each circle.
Sprinkle with a little paprika for color.
You can prepare a little ahead of time, cover with Saran wrap and refrigerate.
Mary
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My personal favorite: Scallops wrapped in bacon. Simple and yummy. Just take fresh scallops, wrap them once in bacon (2-3 scallops per slice of bacon), stick a toothpick through it to hold it together and pop in the oven, I believe for about 20-30 minutes. THEY ARE SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!! I may have to make them soon.
would they like chorizo? (Spanish) I always make these for appitizers now...
If you are near Mineola there is a Deli off Jericho (I think Willis Ave - by KFC and 1-800-Mattress) just south...
It is a Portuguese Deli...but they sell food from Spain as well...and get 1-2 pounds of chorizo...they are like sausage links...
I slice them and fry them....and you could serve them with some nice bread...
I also love spinich dip....
IrishTracy
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I can give you a great Irish Soda Bread recipe. Not much of an appetizer but you are celebrating St. Patrick Day.
kelly4
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WOW! I never thought there would be so many good recipes to suggest. LisaT...I am amazed at how many different suggestionsyou have!!!!! It is going to be difficult trying to decide what to bring! Thanks to all! I will defianately print this page out and put in my recipe box for other GTG's!
Lora
Kate
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I've made this for the past couple of years for our St. Pat's events. It started out as a main dish, but has morphed into an appetizer. (Its on the stove and people fill a cup or bowl to snack on before dinner) After the first time, we found out that alot of people have a problem with lamb so now we substitute the lamb with beef, its amazing either way.... and even better made the day or night before
