party food recipes?

jsocher

I'll be hosting a ladies' party this weekend and need some ideas for snacks.. I don't spend much time in the kitchen so something quick and easy is preferable. Any ideas or websites I could check out?

MrsHabious

Pigs in a blanket are a must for any gathering I have.  I also loved a warm brie and bread, hummos and veggies (and pita chips).

You could do mini quiches as well.

KtotheJ

My old standby is Spinach & Artichoke dip with warm pitas or tortilla chips - until I found this.  We were literally scraping out the rind with a spoon trying to get every last drop http://www.mylifeasamrs.com/2011/10/pecan-brown-sugar-and-kahlua-baked-brie.html

So easy and sooooooo delicious.  I serve it with crackers and sliced apples.  It is outrageous - and if you don't keep kahlua in the house, one of the little airplane size bottles from the liquor store is perfect for the recipe.  Yum. 

 

SecretServiceWife

Bleu cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates were the first things to go at our last big party.

You just pit the dates, stuff them with bleu cheese crumbles and wrap them with 1/2 a slice of bacon and bake (on parchment) at 350 until the bacon is crisp. 

They're so freaking good.

kastle

I've become a big proponent of these savory palimers that use puff pastry.  They look soooooooooo fancy but are basically rolling up & then slicing.  You can even freeze the roll ahead of time & then defrost & bake day of.  I've filled them with the suggested sundried tomatoes & rosemary, defrosted/drained frozen spinach & pepper jack cheese, & olive tapenade.  I've done a sweet application with sprinkling cinnamon sugar on both sides & mini-chocolate chips inside the roll.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/lorraine-pascale/sun-dried-tomato-and-rosemary-palmiers-recipe/index.html

jenn248

I'm a big fan of spinach artichoke dip - although I will have to give KtotheJ's recipe a try sometime!  This is the recipe I use, it's pretty simple:

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach

1 cup sour cream

1 8oz package cream cheese, cubed

1 can quartered artichoke hearts, chopped (I usually only use half of a can)

1/4 c parmesan cheese (I usually use cheddar, and probably about 1/2 c)

red pepper flakes

garlic powder

salt

pepper 

Cook onion on medium heat in butter or olive oil.  Add spinach and cook until heated through (I will usually microwave the spinach for a few minutes first; otherwise, it will take forever).  Turn to low heat and add cream cheese and sour cream.  Stir until cream cheese is melted.  Add artichokes, cheese and spices (to taste).  Cook for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with additional shredded cheese, if desired; heat in the oven until cheese is melted.  Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips.

tomandcourt

SecretServiceWife:

Bleu cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates were the first things to go at our last big party.

You just pit the dates, stuff them with bleu cheese crumbles and wrap them with 1/2 a slice of bacon and bake (on parchment) at 350 until the bacon is crisp. 

They're so freaking good.

We do these, too, although I use regular blue cheese--it's pretty easy to cut a date-sized slice to stuff in them. 

You could do cheese straws, they're really easy and great especially with wine. I like to use Whole Food's puff pastry (way better than the regular Pillsbury or whatever). 

Have you thought about the nest-classic crack dip (aka buffalo chicken dip)? Here's my version:

16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
12 oz Frank's Red Hot Buffalo sauce
8 oz blue cheese dressing
4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
(I also added a container of crumbled blue cheese at the end this time)

Directions:

1. In mixer bowl, mix together the cream cheese, dressing, and Buffalo wing sauce until well blended. Add shredded chicken and mix well.

2. Can make ahead--if serving right away, pour into slow cooker and heat on low.
3.Cook on low in slow cooker (needs about 20 minutes to warm up). Serve warm with Tostitos Scoops.

jsocher

Wow! Thanks ladies! I will definitely give these a try!