The long winter days are quickly passing by, and the holidays are rapidly approaching. Hopefully by now, the guests have all been invited, and you have already decided what you are serving for dinner.
Have you considered what you want to have out for guests to munch on before the big dinner? Appetizers are commonplace at holiday time. Perhaps you have assigned other family members to bring an appetizer, or perhaps you were assigned to bring one. Either way, these recipes are designed to be quick and easy and will whet the pallet for what is to come.
These are the top five appetizer recipes that our family has at every holiday meal. Recipes can be made a day ahead, or a portion of it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Each recipe has directions on how to reheat and serve.
Bacon Cheese Wheels Appetizer – Although these take a bit more preparation time than the others, they are delicious and are perfect at holiday time. If you wanted to, you could prepare the spread the night before and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to broil, spread the mixture on the rounds and pop in the oven. That was really easy!
You will need:
8 slices bacon, cooked
2 tablespoons onion, chopped fine
8 ounces grated cheese
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sugar
Party Rye bread rounds
What to do:
Begin by frying the bacon to a crisp finish. Crumble finely into a bowl. Add onion, cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, celery salt, and sugar. Using a spoon, mix well. Place party rye bread rounds on a baking sheet. Spread the creamy mixture on each round. Broil until hot, approximately 3-5 minutes. Serve while hot.
Cheesy Mushroom Appetizers – Ooey, Gooey, Goodness! The melted cheese and delicious flavor from the mushrooms makes these a must have for the adults!
You will need:
Approx. 20 large uncooked regular mushrooms
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup cream cheese
2 slices of any kind of onion diced finely
1/3 pound bacon diced small
1 tablespoon parsley
paprika
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
3/4 cup cheddar cheese grated fine
What to do:
Preheat oven to 350°. Start by cooking the bacon until it is almost crispy. Then add in the onion. Fry the bacon and onion until the bacon is completely crispy. Be careful not to overcook, burnt onion and bacon is not appetizing. Drain the grease and pat the bacon dry in a paper towel.
Next, in a bowl mix up the ricotta and cream cheeses, parsley, garlic salt and bacon and onion mixture together. Do not use the cheddar cheese yet. Mix using a fork or whisk to soften the cheeses. Set aside.
Next, move onto the mushrooms – clean them and then core the mushrooms with a small spoon. You need to get a pouch in each one. Spoon the cheese mixture into each mushroom in the pouch you just created. Place mushrooms on a glass baking dish with the cheese side facing upward. Top mushrooms with the cheddar cheese, and then sprinkle paprika on top. Bake at 350° until the cheese is bubbling. These usually go fast! Another thing, if you happen to have any of your cheese mixture left – use it with some salami on crackers. (It’s like a bonus appetizer recipe.) These can be prepared the day before, however reheating on low in the oven would be the preferred method – microwave heating often makes the mushrooms soggy.
Hot Seafood Dip – This very mild, cheesy dip is perfect on crackers or bread rounds. Serve hot. If prepared the day before and refrigerated, heat in microwave in 30 second intervals until hot.
You will need:
1 pound of cheddar cheese, cubed
6 ounce can of small shrimp, drained and chopped
3 ounces of cream cheese
1/2 stick of margarine
1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce
4 ounce can of green chilies, drained and chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
What to do:
Begin by combining the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and margarine in top of double boiler. Put water in the bottom. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to low heat and allow to cook until cheese is melted. Stir frequently. Once the cheese is melted, stir in the shrimp, green chilies, Tabasco sauce, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Place in a serving dish and you are done! Just serve with crackers, tortilla chips or bread.
Sausage Balls – A quick and easy recipe. These can be prepared the day before, covered and refrigerated. Just place in the oven before you are ready to serve and they will be read in 20 minutes.
You will need:
1 pound of pork sausage
10 ounces of grated cheddar cheese
3 cups of Bisquick mix
What to do:
You will need to combine all ingredients in a medium to large bowl. Mix well with your hands. Shape the mixture into small balls. Set each ball on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350°.
Bacon Tomato Bagel Melts – A delicious appetizer for anytime of year.
You will need:
2 bagels, split and toasted
8 tomato slices
8 bacon strips, cooked
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (or more if desired)
ranch salad dressing
What to do:
Begin by placing two tomato slices and two bacon strips on each bagel half. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle each one with cheese. Then, broil for 1-2 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Serve with ranch dressing.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
