What appetizer do I bring?

[formerlyllizzyb]

Help me, dears. It's a Christmas potluck party.

Here's what others are bringing:
French dip sandwiches
Ham loaf (I know, WTF)
House salad
Mexican corn dip (again, ?)
sausage balls
an assortment of desserts

I don't want to bring something I have to worry about keeping warm.

[fusion]

marinated mushrooms and artichoke hearts! yum yum

[charlielove]

That menu is why I hate potlucks.

eta: Hummus, veggies and pita chips

[muppetinma]

A vegetable and/or something vegetarian. The salad and the dip could possibly have meat in them. Even something like a cheese plate could be easy and fill a void being left.

[shevacc]

I was just going to suggest a cheese plate or fruit plate.

[katfco]

This is one of my favorite appetizers for potlucks. It's a pull-apart bread, so you can serve it with a marinara dipping sauce or plain. It has a lot of steps because I typed it out for someone with no bread-making experience.

(edit: here's a website that shows what it looks like: www.friedalovesbread.com/2012/09/herb-cheese-bubble-loaf.html )

Herb and Cheese Bubble Loaf, from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

Ingredients
2 ½ to 3 c. flour
1 pkg yeast
1 c. milk
1 T butter
½ t. salt
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
¼ c. melted butter
2 T parsley
½ t oregano (I usually put a bit more in)
½ t marjoram
Or you can use 1 T Italian seasoning instead of the oregano and marjoram

1. combine 1 c. flour and yeast in medium mixing bowl, set aside
2. heat milk, 1 T butter and ½ t salt on medium-low until just warm (butter should be melted but it should not burn you if you put your finger in—should feel warm but not hot)—make sure you stir it as it heats
3. add milk mixture to flour and yeast
4. beat on low-med. Speed for 30 seconds (or just stir it until blended)
5. beat on high for 3 minutes, adding cheese and as much flour as possible (I usually end up adding the whole 3 cups)—without a mixer, just stir quickly as you add things—don’t add the flour all at once. Dough should hold its shape and not be sticky, but too much flour and it won’t stay together
6. knead on floured bread board (or cutting board or counter) until dough is smooth and elastic (should take about 4 minutes)
7. place in lightly greased bowl, turn once and cover with a towel
8. let rise in warm place until nearly double in size (about 1 hour)
9. punch down (just stick your fist in the middle once) and turn onto lightly floured surface
10. cover and let rest for 10 minutes—while it sets, do steps 11 and 12
11. lightly grease baking dish—I usually use a round glass 2 quart casserole dish—it makes it prettier and you don’t have to grease it as much
12. stir together melted butter and herbs
13. roll dough out from center to edges into 8X6 rectangle (it doesn’t have to be perfect, just get roughly that size)—be careful to roll gently, you’re not making a pie crust and you don’t want to push all the air out. It should still be much thicker than a pie crust.
14. cut into 48 pieces
15. gently pull each piece into a ball, tucking edges beneath
16. roll each ball into butter mixture and place in dish (pieces should all be touching, but not squished)
17. cover and let rise 40 minutes
18. bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven 35-40 minutes
19. the last 10-15 minutes, cover loosely with foil
20. you know it’s done when the top is browned but not really dark
21. best served warm—if you make it the night before, heat it in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes before you serve it.

[muppetinma]

Dec 2, 2013 18:34:47 GMT -5 katfco said:

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This looks amazing and I need it in my belly now, please and thank you.

[lolaburns]

Make a Wind & Willow cheeseball and serve with table water crackers.

My favorites are the Garlic & Herb and Jalapeño Jack.

www.windandwillow.com/products.cfm?ci=720F233B-D26D-C913-70944690987B0914

[katfco]

Dec 2, 2013 18:44:58 GMT -5 muppetinma said:

Dec 2, 2013 18:34:47 GMT -5 katfco said:

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This looks amazing and I need it in my belly now, please and thank you.

I found a website that shows how to make it and yes, this is what it looks like when I make it. I highly suggest making it.
www.friedalovesbread.com/2012/09/herb-cheese-bubble-loaf.html

[formerlyllizzyb]

Dec 2, 2013 18:23:00 GMT -5 charlielove said:

That menu is why I hate potlucks.

eta: Hummus, veggies and pita chips

I know, right? There are no vegetarians in attendance, thank goodness. They would have limited options.

[rileym2010]

Here is my appetizer list. www.tarasmulticulturaltable.com/recipe-index/appetizerssnacks/

[katfco]

Dec 2, 2013 19:09:47 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

What in the name of...is ham loaf?

Think meatloaf with ground ham.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Dec 2, 2013 19:09:47 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

What in the name of...is ham loaf?

I don't know. We all signed up via group email, and the girl who is bringing that wrote "ham loaf...sounds weird I know but really good!" She's not someone I would expect to bring such a dish. I will report back.

[dixeedeluxe]

Caprese skewers. Festive. Easy peasy.

[joyhart02]

Dec 2, 2013 19:30:22 GMT -5 katfco said:

Dec 2, 2013 19:09:47 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

What in the name of...is ham loaf?

Think meatloaf with ground ham.

Blech. 

[katfco]

Dec 2, 2013 21:33:07 GMT -5 joyhart02 said:

Dec 2, 2013 19:30:22 GMT -5 katfco said:

Think meatloaf with ground ham.

Blech. 

Pretty much

[laurack]

That all sounds disgusting.

I'd bring a sandwich in my purse lol