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Archive for the ‘Appetizers’ Category

Appetizer Party Recipes

Recipe: Potato Skins – One of the Best Appetizer Party Recipes

This stuffed potato recipe is perfect for a Superbowl party, cocktail party, buffet or another other kind of get-together. Share these mouthwatering snacks with friends and family and watch them keep coming back for more. These potato skins are really addictive and the simple combination of bacon and cheese makes them really appealing. Feel free to make them more colorful by adding some green onions to the cheddar filling rather than using them to garnish the soup cream. The sour cream dip is optional.

You can change this recipe if you like, by swapping the cheddar for another favorite cheese, or by adding some chili powder to spice them up a bit. If you are using huge potatoes, you might want to slice them in three horizontally, rather than two. Alternatively, for smaller appetizers you can use medium-sized potatoes since these are quite filling.

If you want to make the best appetizer party recipes using potatoes, this recipe is a winner. It is simple to make and it is also a nice way to use leftover baked potatoes. If you are cooking the potatoes especially for the recipe, you can microwave them to save time or bake them since you have to put the oven on anyway to make this stuffed potato skins recipe.

Photo Description:

There are all kinds of clever appetizer party recipes you can make using the oven but this is one of the best-smelling and certainly one of the most tempting. Nearly everybody loves hot potatoes, especially when they are stuffed with creamy melted cheddar and crispy bacon, and this is a hearty, warming snack, which is ideal for a fall or winter evening. Potatoes, cheese, and bacon are budget ingredients and you can double or triple this recipe if you are feeding a large group. As great appetizer party recipes go, this one is a real crowd-pleaser and it is so simple to make.

Appetizer Party Recipes

Appetizer Party Recipes

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Potato Skins

Ingredients

  • 4 large baked potatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 sliced green onions
  • 8 oz shredded cheddar
  • 8 cooked, crumbled bacon slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
  2. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the pulp to leave a ¼ inch shell.
  3. Save it for another use.
  4. Arrange the potato halves on a greased baking sheet.
  5. Mix the parmesan, oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika and brush this over the potato skins.
  6. Bake for 8 minutes and turn them over.
  7. Bake for another 8 minutes, then turn them over again so the stuffed part is face-up.
  8. Sprinkle the cheddar over the potato skins and sprinkle the chopped bacon on top.
  9. Bake for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  10. Sprinkle the green onions on top of the sour cream and serve this as a dip.
  11. Serves 8

Number of servings (yield): 8

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Stuffed Peppers Recipes

Recipe: Sensational Stuffed Peppers Recipes

There are various stuffed peppers recipes, ranging from side dish and appetizer stuffed peppers to big entree ones. The following recipe is for a side dish and you will need long, sweet green peppers, not the rounder bell peppers. You can swap the chili sauce in the recipe for some green Tabasco if you want, but you will only need a few drops, or leave it out altogether if you do not want the spicy taste. There are two different ways to make this stuffed peppers recipe. You can either stuff the peppers whole and bake them like that, or you can slit them lengthwise and fill them that way. It depends how you want to serve them. If you are serving this as one of several side dishes, a whole pepper might be too much per person, so you might want to slit them in half and spoon the filling into them, rather than stuff the whole peppers through a hole in the top.

You will also need Greek Anthotiro cheese, although ricotta can be substituted. Anthotiro is a buttery cheese made from goat’s milk or sheep’s milk. You can get a soft unsalted variety and a hard salted kind. The soft kind is similar to ricotta or cottage cheese and is sometimes used to make desserts as well as stuffed peppers recipes. Ricotta will also work in this recipe for stuffed peppers and this cheese is Italian and made from the milk of sheep, goats, cows, or buffalo.

Feta cheese is often used in Greek stuffed peppers and this is made from goat’s milk or sheep’s milk and stored in barrels of brine. Most feta cheese is produced in mountainous areas. It is used in Greece to make salads, pies, omelets or even as a stuffing for fish. The most popular way to enjoy feta cheese in Greece is to lay it on a plate and pour olive oil over it. Sprinkle some oregano on top and serve with a glass of Greek wine.

Photo Description:

One of the nicest things about stuffed peppers recipe is how easy they are to make. There are just two main ingredients, at least if you are using cheese to stuff your peppers. As well as the peppers and the cheese though you can add chili sauce if you want to spice the flavor up or garlic to add flavor. Some stuffed peppers recipes feature a meat-based filling rather than cheese but those would be better for an entree rather than the side dish style stuffed peppers you can see in this picture. Serve these alongside your favorite Mediterranean chicken or beef.

Stuffed Peppers Recipes

Stuffed Peppers Recipes

Greek Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs long, sweet green peppers
  • 2 quartered garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ lb feta cheese
  • ½ lb Greek Anthotiro cheese
  • 1 teaspoon chili sauce
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cut the tops off the peppers, and then scoop out the seeds.
  3. Stir the cheeses with the chili sauce.
  4. Stuff the peppers with the cheese mixture.
  5. Arrange them in a shallow oven dish and pour the olive oil over them.
  6. Sprinkle salt over the peppers and arrange the garlic around them.
  7. Bake for half an hour.
  8. (Serves 10)
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Do’s And Don’ts Of Hosting An Open House Or Cocktail Style Party

Holding an open house or cocktail style party can be a lot of fun. However, you want to make sure your guests are well fed and that everything is designed to make it a comfortable and relaxing event. The last thing you want is to have your guests trying to juggle their food or accidentally spilling a drink because they are not able to balance everything. To make things easier when holding these types of parties, here are a few dos and don’ts that every hostess should follow for a wonderful party that guests will enjoy.

DO NOT serve any foods that have to be cut up. It is tough to hold a plate and to try to cut food at the same time. Avoid large vegetables, baked potatoes, or big pieces of meat.

DO NOT use flimsy plates. You need to ensure you go with sturdy plates. Adding too much food to a flimsy plate could lead to a big spill, so ensure that the plates you use will support plenty of food to avoid disaster.

DO NOT serve up round foods. There is nothing like trying to spear round foods with a fork when balancing the plate with your other hand. Olives, meatballs, and grapes can easily go flying off a plate, which is embarrassing although a bit funny. To avoid this problem, avoid round foods unless you serve them on toothpicks so they do not roll around.

DO NOT offer foods that require more than one hand to eat them. Remember, guests will be holding their plate in most cases, so ensure the foods you serve can be eaten with one hand. Corn on the cob, ribs, and wings are all bad choices because it is nearly impossible to eat these foods with only one hand.

DO offer plenty of napkins. Have a nice stock of napkins out for your guests. When you have open houses or cocktail style parties without tables, they are holding their plate, which means it is more likely there will be a spill. Plenty of napkins can definitely help.

DO provide plenty of seating. While many people will choose to be on their feet mingling with the other guests, some people that are older, those with medical conditions, and pregnant women may not be able to stand the whole time. Just make sure you have enough seats for those who do need to sit.

DO serve up foods that are easy to eat. Bit size foods are perfect for this type of a party. Putting meats and cheeses on toothpicks is a great idea. Having other foods, like appetizers, that are bit size can make it easier for guests to eat as well.

DO ensure that you have plenty of food and drinks for the amount of people that you invite. You do not want to be embarrassed by running out of food or drinks. Plan ahead of time for the number of guests you invite and it is a good idea to plan to have extra food and drinks on hand to ensure you will not run out.

DO consider creating small stations. Have hot food in one area, cold foods in another area, and drinks at another station, and have stations for desserts and appetizers. This helps to avoid having everyone crowded around one location.

Holding a cocktail party or open house becomes easier with a few great tips. When you are holding these types of parties, do not forget to have some quick easy appetizers to serve. You can find great easy party appetizers to make so your party is a big hit.

EasyAppetizerRecipes.net – You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious

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Serving Up Sandwiches – Tips For Making Sandwiches Elegant

When you are hosting a party or having family and friends over for dinner, you probably never thought of serving up sandwiches. Serving up sandwiches is fine if you know how to make elegant sandwiches. With tasty chutneys, artisan breads, wonderful relishes, and other ingredients, you can make sandwiches that create a tasty and elegant meal that everyone will enjoy.

If you are going to make elegant sandwiches, the most important thing to remember is to ensure that all the ingredients you use are fresh. Only purchase high quality ingredients. Low quality ingredients will only result in disaster. Have fun experimenting with various breads when you make up these recipes. Instead of regular bread, consider trying onion rolls, ciabatta bread, bagels, focaccia, pita bread, flatbread, English muffins, and other wonderful bread choices. There are many choices and the bread alone can help to make the sandwich a special one.

Using more expensive and unique ingredients in your sandwiches can make them extra special as well. Relishes, chutneys, smoked salmon, and brie are just a few more expensive ingredients that provide great flavor. Spend some time browsing the condiments in your local market. You can also find quality meats in the deli and you can ask to have them sliced the way you want them for your sandwiches. Honey roasted turkey, peppered beef, and honey ham are all wonderful meat choices.

If you do not have the time to assemble the sandwiches yourself, setting up a nice sandwich bar may be a good idea. Offer various meats, breads, vegetables, cheeses, and condiments so they can make up their own creations. A sandwich buffet or bar looks great and allows everyone to custom make their sandwich so they create it the way they like it.

Make sure you have something along with your elegant sandwiches at a party or dinner. Having some cookies and fresh fruit for dessert works perfectly. It provides a low key and relaxing meal that will ensure everyone has a great time. Even a build your own ice cream sundae bar is a great addition to a sandwich themed party.

Spicy Fruit Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

If you are serving up tasty sandwiches for a party or dinner, this chicken salad recipe is a wonderful one to try. It combines the spiciness of curry with various fruits for a delicious sandwich that is sure to be a big hit.

What You Need:

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cooked and then shredded
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup of pecans, toasted
  • ¾ cup of mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup of golden raisins
  • ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper
  • ⅓ cup of green grapes, seedless and cut in half
  • ½ teaspoon of curry powder
  • 8 croissants

How to Make It:

Combine the chicken apple, onion, grapes, raisins, pepper, mayonnaise, pecans, and curry in a large bowl. Mix well. Cover and allow to set in the refrigerator overnight, which allows all the ingredients to mingle so the salad as a nice, full flavor. Serve on croissants. Makes 8 servings.

Having a nice sandwich party is a great idea. Why not compliment your sandwiches with some easy party appetizers. Add some zing and protein by looking for shrimp appetizers recipes you can make ahead of time too.

EasyAppetizerRecipes.net – You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious

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Throw Your Own Drinks, Appetizers, And Desserts Dinner Party

Sometimes hosting a huge dinner party can be a bit costly. It can also take up a lot of your time. Of course, instead of having a big dinner party, another simpler option is to go with a drinks, appetizers, and desserts party. This is a great option to go with during the summer months when most people do not want to eat as much heavy food because of the heat. Holding this type of a party makes it a lot easier and cheaper for you to host and you can easily build a well balanced menu that everyone will enjoy.

If you are going to throw a drinks, appetizers, and desserts party, you will want to first make sure you let everyone know that it is this type of a party. Send out invitations that let guests know that only drinks, appetizers, and desserts will be served. This way they know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.

With this type of a party, it is a good idea to go with food choices that are easily portable. Remember that you will not all be sitting around a table, so the foods you need should be easy for guests to eat. Finger foods work well. Consider going with deserts and appetizers that come in bite sizes so they can easily be put on a plate and eaten without having to worry about cutting anything.

To make this party work, it is often a good idea to have several different station buffets for your guests to visit. It is a good idea to have a drink station with a variety of different drinks they can choose from or ones they can mix up themselves. Another station should be set up for your appetizers. Last, you can have a dessert station. This way people can visit the stations at different times and you do not have people waiting in line behind only one buffet area.

A drinks, appetizers, and desserts party is especially a good idea for larger gatherings. If you are having an open house or another type of large gathering, this offers you with an easy way to serve many people without a problem.

Cheesy Crab Mushrooms Appetizer

When you are throwing this type of a party, having plenty of bite size appetizers is a great idea. Here is an easy recipe that adds cheese and crab to tasty mushrooms. This is sure to please a crowd. In fact, you may want to double this recipe.

What You Need:

  • 2 cups of cream cheese
  • 20-30 large bite size mushrooms
  • ¼ teaspoon of white pepper
  • 8 ounces of cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 can of crab meat, flaked
  • 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

How to Make It:

In a steamer basket, allow mushrooms to stem for about 6 minutes. They should be tender when done. While steaming the mushrooms, set out cream cheese to soften. When it is soft, mix it together with the white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and the crab meat.

Take the mushrooms out of the steamer and put the cream cheese mixture inside of the mushrooms. Use up all the mixture. Take a cookie sheet and cover it with foil. Put the mushrooms on the sheet and then sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 or until the cheese is melted and browned.

Having a party with appetizers and desserts can be a lot of fun. Look for more easy party appetizers that can be made for this type of a party or find holiday appetizers if you are throwing a party around the holidays.

EasyAppetizerRecipes.net – You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious

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