Hello Ladies,
I'm looking for suggestions and ideas on easy appetizers. I work in an outpatient drug/alcohol/mental health clinic and for two days before Christmas we put out party type foods for our clients and have a nice time before the Holiday.
(They have been doing this tradition for years...this is my second Christmas there. At first I thought it was weird, (hello, nut allergies?), but it seems to go over well.)
This year, I volunteered to manage the event and am trying to plan ahead. There will be seven of us counselors making/bringing food.
Any favorite appetizers or party foods I can add to my list?
Rum balls are not an option!
![]()
Re: Easy appetizer ideas/suggestions?
I make these chicken bacon dippers that are just delicious and go really quickly at parties.
You just take about 4 boneless chicken breasts and cut them into 1"x2" pieces. You need about a 1 lb of bacon (give or take, depending on the size of your chicken breasts). Cut each strip of bacon into 4 pieces (cut once the long way, once the short). Wrap each piece of chicken with a piece of bacon.
Mix together 1 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup chili powder. (I usually make extra). Line the chicken bacon wrapped goodness on a cookie sheet. Douse it in the sugar/powder mix. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes. Enjoy! I usually serve with honey mustard dipping sauce too.
Roasted Pepper Bruchetta
Take a jar of roasted red peppers and chop them up. If you're feeling really ambitous, you could roast your own. Add to the peppers - 3-4 cloves of chopped/minced garlic, salt, pepper and some olive oil. You can eat this right away, but it's better if it sits for a while.
Serve on top of french bread rounds with a sprinkling of parm cheese on top. Usually, I put a bowl of the peppers, a bowl of the cheese and the bread on a platter and let people make their own.
Another favorite, of course is buffalo chicken wing dip.
I've made GLL's chicken bacon bits of goodness and they are very popular at a party!
I've got a few appetizers in my blog...
http://amy-zach.blogspot.com/search/label/appetizer
The ranch crackers are always a favorite, and I'm taking them to a holiday lunch this week. The pepperoni pizza dip is also really yummy.
My Food Blog
I make this stuff I call Mexi-Dip when I need a quick and yummy app (it's always a hit:)
Make -2lb. of taco meat (brown beef, drain and add taco seasoning.) Add 1/2 jar of medium salsa to this. Turn off heat.
While browning beef- in separate pan, heat 2 regular size cans of refried beans- with the other 1/2 can of salsa to make spreading easier. Turn off heat.
Shred 1lb. of pepper jack cheese.
In greased 2 qt. casserole dish- put 1/3 beef, then 1/3 bean mix, then 1/3 cheese. Repeat in layers. Bake at 350 for 20 mins. until bubbly or microwave for 5-10 mins. (depends on strength of micro.)
(optional- a layer of sour cream can be added, it will bubble all over- so I then call it "Volcanic Mexi Dip.)
Serve with Tostito dips.