cookin' up north: appetizers

Showing posts with label appetizers. Show all posts

Cranberry snackers

These appetizers are great for the holiday. Some people like to just take a block of cream cheese, and then pour cranberry sauce over it to serve with crackers.

I like to spread it on the cracker and add some cranberry on top....put them on a platter. They look to festive and pretty on a tray!

Cranberry sausage bites

These are a fave of mine.

I love cranberries.

I think the cheese and sausage taste just perfect with a bit of cranberry on top!

I used canned whole cranberry sauce, but of course you could make your own.

Yum!

Cranberry Sausage Bites

12 oz. smoked sausage, cut in slices and browned

8 oz. cheese, cubed

1 can whole cranberry sauce

Assemble and enjoy!

Here's another fun treat for the 4th of July weekend...Patriotic Popcorn. All it is some white chocolate melted and mixed with popcorn...and then add some festive red,white, and blue sprinkles and M &M's.

The first batch I tried the popcorn was too chewy..so I had to make some more. The brand of popcorn I used is a new one to me, and I have to say it just isn't as good. But you never know until you try!

I didn't measure...I just dumped some white chocolate Ghirardelli melts into a bowl and melted them in the microwave. I used 2 bags of microwave popcorn and mixed lightly until I liked the consistency, then I added sprinkles and M & M's. I spread it out on parchment paper until it set, and then bagged it up in some fun 4th clear plastic bags from the dollar store. Fun to make and eat!

Patriotic Snack Mix

Happy Memorial Day!

Our pontoon and dock are in, the lawn furniture is out, flowers are blooming...... it's been sunny and warm.... and we are ready for summer!

I decided to make a quick snack to take out on the boat....complete with patriotic colors to celebrate the day. I went into my cupboard and grabbed some snacks I thought would taste great together....both sweet and salty. I took a large Ziploc bag and put in a cup each of red Australian Style licorice,butter pretzels, patriotic M&M's, mini marshmallows, and peanuts.

I also grabbed some cups I found at the dollar store to make snacking easier on the boat. Besides being convenient, they are also festive and fun!

Patriotic Snack Mix

red licorice

pretzels

patriotic M & M's

mini marshmallows

peanuts

Mix according to amount needed. I usually do about a cup of each, then store in a Ziploc bag.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Lot's of people make fun of "two ingredient" recipes, but I'm a big fan of any RECIPE that tastes great! This is an oldie but goodie.

Just mix the cream cheese and marshmallow creme together and you have a wonderful dip. Sometimes I make it when I have some fruit that's a bit sour that I need to use up...like grapes or apples..it's a perfect match!

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

7 oz. jar Marshmallow creme

Beat together with mixer until smooth. Serve with fruit.

Creamy Orange Jiff Whips Peanut Butter Dip

Did you ever read the top of the Jiff Whips container?

Well I did. It had a recipe for Creamy Orange Peanut Butter dip. It sounded pretty good.

And it was!

I'm glad I tried it. I made it using low fat ingredients, with sugar free Smuckers Orange Marmalade, and Fat Free Cool Whip.

It tasted great with pretzels and even better with apples! I loved the touch of cinnamon...yum!

Creamy Orange Peanut Butter Dip

1 container Jiff Whips Peanut Butter

1 (12 oz.) jar Smuckers Orange Marmalade

1 c. Cool Whip

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Fold together until just blended, serve with pretzels or apples.

Chili Cheese Dip

I made a small batch of Chili Cheese dip....so delicious! It's only 3 ingredients too, so it's super easy to make.

First you spread some softened cream cheese in a bowl, top with canned chili and some cheddar cheese. Then bake it at 350 for about 20 minutes until it's heated through and the cheese is melted.

I like to serve it with corn chips, but it's great with any chips or crackers!

Chile Cheese Dip

1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 (15 oz) can chili without beans ( I use Hormel)

1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Spread the softened cream cheese in a pie plate, top with chili and cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until heated through.

Christmas Appetizers....Throwback Thursday

Christmas appetizers

Time for Throwback Thursday. Here's a fun idea for Christmas and New

Years parties! Enjoy!

Monday, December 12, 2011

These were fun to make!

I used cookie cutters to cut out the trees and bells from bread

slices, then

spread the cheese mixture on top. I added some pepper strips for

decoration and then broiled them.

They were delicious. Warm and cheesy with a bit of bite from the

peppers, they were a hit!

Cheesy Christmas Trees
(Favorite Brand Name Holidays}

1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. dry ranch dressing mix
1 c.shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
12 slices firm white bread
1/4 c. red bell pepper strips
1/4 c. green bell pepper strips

Cut shapes from bread. Combine the cheeses, dry ranch, and mayo and

spread on the bread. Decorate with pepper strips and broil 2-3 minutes

or until bubbly. Serve warm.

Texas Caviar

This stuff is addicting! I don't make it more then once or twice a year, as we eat can eat the whole batch in a couple of days.

There's just something about that sweet, spicy and salty combo....one can never get enough!

Texas Caviar

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can shoe peg corn, drained
1 can black eyed peas
1 jar pimento
1 small onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. oil

Mix the sugar, red wine vinegar, and oil in a sauce pan, bring to a boil. Cool. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Chill and serve with tortilla or pita chips.

Patriotic Veggie Cups

Pinned it, tried it and loved this idea!

I saw this on Pinterest a long time ago, and just came across it again recently. So cute!

I don't know about you, but I have enough Washi Tape to last a life time, so whenever I see a fun idea to use some, I try it! When Washi Tape first came out, there were so many fun colors and styles, I started a collection. What was I thinking anyway? How much Washi tape can one person use? LOL!

But this is a great idea, and EZ too. Just buy some of those small plastic containers (they have little lids too, perfect for sending condiments with lunches)at the Party Store and wrap a piece of Washi around them. Then fill with your favorite veggie dip, and add some cut veggies on skewers. How handy for parties or picnics!

I happened to have a few Patriotic picks form Target, so I used those to make them even more festive, but regular wooden skewers for the grill will work too.Yes, I am addicted to the dollar spot in Target too. (which is also a great place to find washi tape!)

Patriotic M & M flag treats

I made some of these with the pastel M and M's for Easter,and everyone loved them.

So I decided to make some for Memorial Day with the patriotic M and M's.

I made some into flowers,

and some into flags. They are fun to make AND eat, and look so festive on a tray!

Patriotic M & M Flags and Flowers

square pretzels ( I use Snyder)

white candy melts ( I use Ghirardelli)

red and blue M & M's

Place pretzels on a microwave safe plate. Top with white candy melts. Microwave 45 seconds to 1 minute, until slightly melted. Arrange M & M's on top.

Pepper jack Pimento Cheese

I often stir up some pimento cheese to have for a quick lunch or snack. We really like this recipe with pepper jack cheese.

It's got just the right combo...a slight kick from the pepper jack with the subtle spice of the Worcestershire...such a tasty spread!

Pepper jack Pimento Cheese

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

dash of Worcestershire sauce

2 -3 Tbsp. pimento

1/4 c. real mayonnaise

Combine all and mix well. Spread on crackers or bread. Great on top of grilled burgers!

Goulda Bites

For the Super Bowl this year, I made some Gouda Bites. I haven't had them in years and came across the recipe recently. They are just SO easy, and are such a fun appetizer to make. I love the melted Gouda with just a hint of garlic..... and the crusty crescents of course!

This is a recipe originally from Taste of Home, back when the magazines were worth hanging on to and reading over and over. I used to get ALL of them, loved the glossy pages and awesome recipes. Now the magazines are smaller, and the pages are made from a cheaper material. I still find some great recipes, but I do find I'm online reading recipes more and more. Still....there's nothing like getting some happy mail....and paging through a colorful magazine!

Here's the simple recipe:

Gouda Bites

(T of H)

1 8 oz. tube Pillsbury Crescents

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

5 oz. Gouda, cut in 24 pieces

Spread the crescents into a long rectangle, pinching the seams shut. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Cut into 24 pieces and lightly press into ungreased mini muffin tins. Bake at 375 for about 3 to 4 minutes. Place a slice of Gouda in each and return to oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes longer, until golden brown, and the cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I'm back sharing another recipe that my daughter made for Christmas Eve....Buffalo Chicken Dip. Creamy, cheesy and full of flavor...it's perfect for dipping crackers or chips.

Just looking at the photo makes me hungry...I think I will make this for the super bowl!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 c. Ranch dressing

1/2 c. Franks Buffalo sauce

2 c. shredded chicken

1/2 c. Monterrey jack cheese

Mix and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Pesto Roll Ups

The roll ups I'm sharing today are made with pesto.

Yum!

I love the fresh taste...reminds me of summer and all the basil around that I could ever want! You can use the store bought for these or make your own. Here is a simple pesto recipe I often use, which also freezes well.

The recipe is one my daughter used for Christmas Eve, and we all really liked. I think they would be great with some chopped black olives, and you could also use chopped tomatoes in place of the red pepper. Actually any deli meat would be delicious too. I wonder what roast beef would be like...I'll have to give that a try!

Pesto Roll Ups

Two 8" flour tortillas

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

4 Tbsp. mayo

2 Tbsp. pesto

deli turkey

shredded Colby jack

roasted red peppers

Mix the cream cheese, mayo and pesto. Spread on tortilla's and layer with deli turkey. Top with finely shredded Colby jack cheese and chopped roasted red pepper, Roll tightly, wrap in sryan wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. Slice into pinwheels.

Salami Roll ups

I"m back with another fun appetizer my daughter made for Christmas Eve. This one is SO simple and yet packs alot of flavor! They look so pretty on a green tray for the holidays too.

I'll be back later this week with the recipe for the other roll ups!

Salami Roll Ups

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp. finely chopped chives

pimentos, patted dry

20 thin salami slices

Mix cream cheese and chives and spread on salami, fold in half, then in half again.Thread toothpicks with pimento and secure in salami.

Pasta Salad on a Stick

The next several recipes that I will be sharing are some my daughter served Christmas Eve. She made some awesome appetizers ....and they were SO delish! Appetisers are always so fun and she really outdid herself on these. It made Christmas Eve so special!

I'll start out with this favorite...pasta on a stick....so festive and fun with the colors red and green. The salad dressing was so creamy and added so much flavor, plus it looked so pretty drizzled over it all!

Pasta Salad on a Stick

9 oz. package cheese tortellini

1 pt. cherry tomatoes

fresh mozzarella cheese

1/4 c. Italian dressing

1/4 c. mayo

Cook, drain and cool tortellini . Assemble on skewers. tortellini, tomato, mozzarella, repeat. Combine the Italian dressing and mayo and drizzle over the skewers before serving.

Pimento Cheese Appetizers

I have a simple and festive appetizer to share today!

I whipped together some pimento cheese and spread it on some fun Christmas bread shapes ....I used a few cookie cutters. Then I added some more pimento for decorations.

Pimento Cheese

4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

3 Tbsp. chopped pimento

3 Tbsp. mayo

Mix together. Cut cookie cutter shapes out of bread and spread on top.

Have a great day!

Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Berries

I tried another fun find from Pinterest...this time cheesecake strawberries.

Very simple to make! First I cut the strawberries in half lengthwise, leaving on the green stem. To get them to stand on the plate, I cut just a sliver off from the bottom.

I mixed 4 oz. of softened cream cheese with 1/4 c. powdered sugar and 1/4 tsp. almond flavoring. (you could use vanilla too) I cut the corner of a baggie and piped some down the center of each strawberry.

Then decorated the top with fresh blueberries!