Easy Appetizer & Snack Ideas

[pixielou]

what do you keep on hand to serve as snacks for last minute guests? for instance, my uncle just called. he is on his way to the airport and wants to drop by for a while with my cousin on their way home - aka he wants a place to hang out so he doesn't have to drive home in rush hour traffic! being the good hostess that i strive to be, i'd like to put out a couple snacks - something beyond a couple oreos and a cheese/cracker plate.

so any ideas for things i could keep in my refrigerator/pantry so that i can entertain on a minutes notice. i don't mind putting a little time into preparing things - it's just having ingredients on hand.

thanks.

~pixie

[laura]

We keep frozen apps in our freezer. Right now we have mini quiches, mini veg. eggrolls, and taquitos; I also have frozen, cooked and peeled shrimp and cocktail sauce. We almost always have stuff for chocolate chip cookies, too, so I could whip those up in a pinch, if needed. I can't think of what else we have at the moment, but freezer stuff has saved me a bunch of times.

Or in the situation you're describing, I think crackers/cheese and a bottle of wine is plenty. We usually put out crackers/cheese or chips/salsa, something like that, in order to feel out our guests and if they seem really into the food, we throw some freezer stuff in the oven - usually a mix of whatever we have for variety.

[mgrace]

I think cheese and crackers are fine, too. Do you have any olives? Nuts? Some fruit you could cut up? Apples or grapes go great with cheese.

[Asha]

hmmm...i don't have anything i purposefully keep for guests. though, i have cut up raw veggies and serve it with hummus. we always have both in the house. cut up fruit sounds good too. i have also used tortilla chips and salsa or if i have extra time i'll cook up some quesadillas.

[looch]

A pantry will save you every time!
Italian Antipasto Platter

jarred olives
crackers or breadsticks
feta cheese packed in olive oil
roasted red peppers packed in oil
tinned sardines in tomato sauce, sounds nasty, is so yummy it's not funny!

[amew]

I always keep a jar of artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, and mayo on hand so I can stir up emergency artichoke dip (rip up/mash artichoke hearts, mix with about 3/4 cup of mayo, about 3/4 cup of parmesan, and some garlic powder, bake at 375 until bubbly and serve with crackers, french bread, pita wedges, or whatever else you have on hand). We also usually have some frozen eggrolls or dumplings on hand and some stuff for a quick fruit and cheese plate. I like to keep mini bamboo skewers on hand, too--they make it easy to make "fancy" looking apps with virtually no effort. Depending on what groceries I have on hand, I like to make caprese salad skewers (grape tomatoes, fresh mozarella, and basil), fruit skewers (you can make a quick and tasty dip to go with them by beating together cream cheese and brown sugar), or teriyaki chicken skewers (throw some chicken tenders from your freezer in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and vinegar for a few minutes and then broil or grill).

If people are just coming over to watch a game or something and I therefore don't mind going a little "trashy", I will make Rotel dip (hunk of Velveeta melted and mixed with a jar of Rotel--it's a Southern thing) and put it out with chips and salsa, which we always have on hand. I have often thrown together guacamole and quesadillas very spur of the moment as well--keeping tortillas, cheese, and avocados around is pretty easy. I also have a really easy recipe for hot crab dip that can be made with very few ingredients--canned crab, cream cheese, and something I am forgetting. I'll look it up and post it.

[katmg]

If people are just coming over to watch a game or something and I therefore don't mind going a little "trashy", I will make Rotel dip (hunk of Velveeta melted and mixed with a jar of Rotel--it's a Southern thing) and put it out with chips and salsa, which we always have on hand.

Mmmm...queso. Love me some queso.

We typically have some sort of frozen appetizer type thing in the freezer (not home-made, store bought). For awhile I had some cookie dough in there as well, but I need to restock that.

We always have nuts in the pantry. As well as stuff for "antipasto."

If someone were to call and let me know they were coming, I'd probably run to my grocery store right quick and pick up one of the artisan breads that they make. That with olive oil and dipping spices from home...mmm! If they just drop by then they're pretty much stuck with the food in the house.;)

[pixielou]

thanks for the ideas. i was fine for yesterday - i've had so many holiday parties lately that i have tons of "leftovers" on hand.

we have a really small freezer - and half of it is taken up by a stupid ice maker - so i can't keep a lot of stuff in teh freezer.

we're in the northeast - so this time of year fresh produce is pretty hit or miss. but in the summer i usually get away with the fruits and veggies.

laura thanks for reminding me of cocktail shrimp. i always have shrimp in the freezer - so just need to pick up some cocktail sauce.

i like the ideas of the stuff for the antipasto platter stuff. thanks looch

and i usually do have cookie dough in the freezer. but like katmg need to restock.

amew i would love your crab dip recipe. and i like your artichoke dip idea - i usually have that stuff in the pantry. and thanks for reminding me that i can do chicken skeweres. i usually have all that stuff on hand.

katmg i used to always run to the store whenever someone called. but i have a baby now - and can't always run out on a moments notice anymore. which is why i think i am having so many more short noticed visitors - every one now knows that i'm home! and everyone wants to see the baby! and every one knows that i put out great snacks.

i'll be heading to trader joe's probably next week - so will definitely stock up on more of this kind of stuff. i make it a point to have stuff on hand for a couple of last minute dinners. so last minute snacks are also going to go on that list.

[ellidew]

I am going to Bunco with my mom tonight. (somebody can't make it so i am a stand in) She told me to bring something but not a dessert because the host buys the dessert. I've been trying to figure out what to take for days now and can't come up with anything. I asked her for ideas last night and she said she didn't even know what she was taking yet (Thanks, Mom! ;) )

I literally have to have a plan in the next hour and a half and i will have about 45 mins for prep.

Can anyone help??

**I'm a total dork for not proofreading my title! Doh!

[bookworm]

Layer the following in a pan: 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 to 1 jar of salsa, 1 package shredded cheese (preferably "Mexican blend"). Heat at 350 until bubbling, or put in the microwave if your dish is microwave-safe. Serve with tortilla chips.

Or crostini--toast baguette slices, spread with goat cheese, and top with sun dried tomatoes, tapenade, roasted red peppers, etc.

I think these are my easiest appetizer recipes. My other stand by is "go to Trader Joe's, pick up frozen spanakopita, heat."

[tlew12778]

Hummus and pita?

[nic]

Hot or Cold Spinach and Artichoke dip with pita

[ShelbyMay]

Wheat Thins with cream cheese and red pepper jelly.

[smilewithme]

Similar to above. Block of cream cheese, cover it with your favorite salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

[Mrs. Alting]

I need help! I have to make an appetizer for tomorrow night and I really don't cook. In fact I hate to cook so I am looking for something easy but delicious :) Any ideas?

[Mrs. Alting]

I need help! I have to make an appetizer for tomorrow night and I really don't cook. In fact I hate to cook so I am looking for something easy but delicious :) Any ideas?

[KarenS]

Can you be *any* more specific? :) Hot or cold? How many people? Anything that they/you will or won't eat? What kind of event? What kind of meal is being served?

Also do you want something like a veggies and dip or cheese and crackers type recipe, or do you want to put some work into making individual hors d'oeuvres?

Karen

[achickwwit]

Something easy I make that is elegant, colorful and always a hit is caprese skewers. No cooking required! Just slide 1 cherry tomato, 1 fresh mozzarella cheese ball (you can buy these in the deli section already balled) and 1 small fresh basil leaf on a toothpick. Arrange however many of these you need on a flat platter. Drizzle tops with olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt/pepper, if desired.

If you want to dress up the presentation, decorate the platter with extra basil leaves or thin slices of large tomatoes. :)

[schmeevee]

i just experimented with this yesterday - crab bread.

forgive me, i don't know the measuring sizes, i just threw everything together.

you'll need:
mayo
imitation crab meat
shredded monterey jack (or other white cheese)
french bread

preparation.
1. preheat the oven to 350
2. shred the crab meat
3. in a bowl, mix in with mayo and shredded cheese to desired consistency
4. slice french bread into little discs
5. scoop crab meat mix onto the discs and place in over for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

and voila!

for the imitation crab, i got the legs package. i used 3 legs and it gave me about 20 pieces of small french bread discs. sorry i can't be more specific about the measurements, again it was just an experiment! ;)

good luck!

btw - i don't know how to cook either, but this was super simple and quick! i actually just had some right now. mmmm. heheh

[jimmysgirl424]

Very easy and quick!



Bacon Wrapped Water Chesnuts



2 cans Whole Water Chesnuts
1 lb. Maple or Hickory bacon, preferably thick-sliced but not necessary
Brown Sugar
Toothpicks


Preheat oven to broil setting. Cover heavy duty baking sheet with foil. Cut bacon slices in half (I usually just cut the entire package all at once, its less messy than trying to cut each individual slice) Wrap one (half) slice of bacon around each whole water chesnut. Spear with toothpick. Dip or roll into brown sugar. Or, you can just heavily sprinkle brown sugar over entire assembled tray like I do, but its messier that way.

Place under broil until bacon is cooked (10 minutes or so). Don't let the bacon burn but I usually broil till its brown.


A happy little plus with this recipe; it smells AWESOME while cooking.:D

[jimmysgirl424]

Bumping up!

[jimmysgirl424]

I just bumped another appetizer thread for you:)

[Mrs. Alting]

Can you be *any* more specific? :) Hot or cold? How many people? Anything that they/you will or won't eat? What kind of event? What kind of meal is being served?

Also do you want something like a veggies and dip or cheese and crackers type recipe, or do you want to put some work into making individual hors d'oeuvres?

Karen

Thanks everyone!

I want it to look like I put work into it. It is for a small gathering at my house and we decided that everyone would bring an appetizer and drink wine :) My friends always make fun of me because I always make cheese and bread or bring a veggie platter from the store. I need major help :) Maybe I should take a cooking class.

[Mrs. Alting]

I just bumped another appetizer thread for you:)

Thank you! I searched but nothing came up.

[KarenS]

Ah ... that's better. So you want something that looks like you put a lot of time and energy into it, but isn't so hard! :)

This is my MILs cheeseball recipe. It's really easy to make and I've never had anyone not absolutely fall in love with it.

2 blocks of cream cheese, softened (I let them sit in the bowl, covered with some wax paper for about 4 hours)
1 can of crushed pineapple in heavy syrup (the smaller, flat can)
1/4 cup of finely chopped bell pepper
2 T finely chopped green onion tops
1 T Lawrey's Seasoned Salt
2 cups of crushed pecans

Mix the cream cheese, drained pineapple, bell pepper, green onion, salt, and 1 cup of the pecans together. You must mix this by HAND. If you use a mixer, you break down the cream cheese enough that it will not form a ball. I've done it before - you wind up with cheese ... well, spread sort of.

Place the mixture back in the fridge for at least an hour to firm it up. Remove from the fridge, divide into 2, and roll into balls. Roll the balls into the remaining 1 cup of crushed pecans and serve with crackers. This keeps in the fridge for a week or so ... and actually I like to make it a day ahead because the flavors blend really well overnight.

Serve it on a pretty plate surrounded by various types of crackers. You can also garnish the top with a couple of pecan halves and a few sprigs of parsley.

Karen

[Mrs. Alting]

Karen,

That sounds yummy!

Thank you!
Kristie

[LeslieR]

Super, super easy:

1 package of softened cream cheese
salsa

Pour enough salsa of your choice over the cream cheese to slightly cover
Serve with tortilla chips.

[Renrel]

I made these along time ago but the were wonderful.

stick a green olive into a fig or other dried fruit, wrap around if necessary. I seem to remember peachs and pears working really well. Wrap bacon (I used beef fry since I keep sorta Kosher) around the fruit and secure with a toothpick, heat in an oven until hot and serve. The fat from the meat dripping into the sweet of the fruit around the salt of the olive was soooo yummy!

[jarm]

mini hot dogs in crescent rolls

[kindermom]

Bruschetta. It is diced tomatoes and onions (optional) with salt, olive oil, basil and balsamic vingar. Put on sliced french bread and bake for 10 minutes. I have even made it with just tomatoes, salt, oil, and dried basil. Still yummy. The hardest part is slicing the bread.

How about Greek Salad Skewers. Chop tomatoes, cucumbers (cubes not slices), feta cheese, olives, and red onion into 1 inch pieces. Put on mini skewers. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried basil. (even better, ix the drizzle/toppings together THEN drizzle).

[Missy2U]

Here are a couple of ideas. There aren't really "recipes" per se - I just kind of "make them".

Take two packages of cocktail franks, brown them in butter with some onion. After they're browned, remove them to a bowl. Pour in one 12 oz. bottle of chili sauce, and 8 oz. of grape jelly. Mix together until the jelly melts. Add the franks back in and stir until warmed through. It keeps in a crockpot for hours.

OR

Make a bowl of tuna salad - the same kind you'd make for sandwiches, but chop everything pretty small. Hollow out cherry tomatoes, and fill them with the tuna salad.

[ali_ohli]

**bumping**

My favorite is this recipe (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/11811) from Gourmet, though be forewarned it's pungent! So easy I know it by heart at this point. I don't bother with the fennel -- just serve with toasted pita triangles.

[Rosebud]

Just FYI, there's also a good Appetizer Recipes Thread with lots of ideas, although most of what's posted there is stuff you'd prepare ahead of time, not just have on hand.

I always try to have cheese and crackers in the house. Basic, but it'll work for just about any occasion. Also, some kind of fruit works well on short notice. I often set out grapes or orange slices along with the cheese & crackers.

[Taurus]

Bump! Can anyone make some appetizer suggestions that fit the following requirements?

-I need to prepare appetizers/snacks from ingredients that don't require much refrigeration (I won't have the fridge space for a lot of ingredients with a big cake in my fridge overnight) and then I need to lay them out on my table and leave for about 1.5 hours, upon which we will return to the house with guests and need the food out and ready
-Things that can be picked up with fingers (no forks) but not too messy
-Kid-friendly but CLASSY
-Nothing in the crock pot
-Will be served alongside cake, wine and a non-alcoholic punch

I am thinking of a cracker-and-cheese plate, but I don't know what types of cheese can sit out for that length of time.

TIA!

[thyme]

spiced nuts
assorted olives
cheese straws


I'm pretty sure that most cheeses are supposed to be served at room temperature and actually should be taken out of the refrigerator at least an hour before serving, so a cheese platter would be fine.

[Taurus]

Thanks, thyme. My sister recommended some specific types of cheeses to just put on a platter (I am so clueless on cheese!) and I am going to serve them with assorted round and flatbread-type crackers and grapes. I actually found a 4-pc cheese serving set at Linens N Things that was so helpful b/c the box tells you which piece is for which type of cheese! (There's a spreader, a sharper knife, etc.)

We will also have veggies and dip (I'll put the dip out when we get home), and I just bought cheese straw-type things at Trader Joe's and a greek olive medley (thanks for the tip; I don't like olives so I never think of them). I also found mixed nuts without peanuts (I don't want any peanuts so that no one gives them to my son).

Thanks again

[diam124]

What about some sort of chips and dip? Refrigerated dip wouldn't take up too much space.

[thyme]

Glad to help! :)