Post by sunnysally on Dec 17, 2019 22:04:48 GMT -5
Are you looking for things to make or buy? Costco has a lot of great apps. Some of our favorites are samosas, spanakopita, artichoke dip, and various cheeses.
If you want to make something, I like goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in proscuitto because it looks fancy but is easy. I also like to make meatballs in the crockpot or cocktail sauce on cream cheese topped with shrimp. Baked brie, wrapped in pastry or not, and topped with jam is delicious and easy.
I do a very easy brie in those frozen phyllo cups. Small piece of brie, top with jam, and bake. I make a good bacon-peach jam that I love with these, but if you're looking for fast and easy any store-bought jam is fine. Honey and nuts are great as well.
If you’re wanting to make yourself: Epic cheese boards, savory palmiers (puff pastry rolled with olive filling or sun dried tomatoes/feta or drained spinach/pepperjack & sliced & baked), chicken wings, fun warm dip (I’ve done a jalapeño popper dip, spinach/artichoke, etc)
If you’re wanting to buy: Trader Joe’s has some great dips for veggies (and I like getting the sugar snap peas too), a pimento cheese puff pastry thing, mini chicken pot pies
Are you looking for things to make or buy? Costco has a lot of great apps. Some of our favorites are samosas, spanakopita, artichoke dip, and various cheeses.
If you want to make something, I like goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in proscuitto because it looks fancy but is easy. I also like to make meatballs in the crockpot or cocktail sauce on cream cheese topped with shrimp. Baked brie, wrapped in pastry or not, and topped with jam is delicious and easy.
mini mozzarella balls, small piece of basil, cherry tomato, drizzled with balsamic on a skewer
goat cheese whipped with honey, served with slivers of pears and good crackers
Neither of those are really "home made" as much as just "assembled," which probably gives you a good insight into my cooking ability.
Also, I see your family is a bunch of chefs, but I think it's important to go easy on yourself and take the pressure off (especially this time of the year). If they don't like your food then they can be the host and bring all of the food!
Spinach artichoke dip or roasted red pepper spread and goat cheese on crostini. Or roasted red pepper hummus and veggies for something a little lighter.
For a dessert, this is my go to. So easy and really delicious. To make it even easier (and gluten free) I skip the crust. Just make sure to grease the springform pan in that case www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/luscious-almond-cheesecake/
Post by prettypitties on Dec 18, 2019 8:16:09 GMT -5
We're doing heavy appetizers for Christmas Eve this year instead of a sit down meal. This is my menu:
Bacon wrapped shrimp w/ horseradish dipping sauce Steak Crostini (http://www.cookingwithcocktailrings.com/starters/2016/steak-boursin-cheese-crostini?rq=steak%20and%20boursin) Meatball sliders Ham & cheese pinwheels (https://www.wellplated.com/ham-and-cheese-pinwheels/) Red pepper jelly over a block of cream cheese served with crackers Some type of winter salad like this: www.insidetherustickitchen.com/winter-salad/
Post by ChillyMcFreeze on Dec 18, 2019 9:32:32 GMT -5
If you want something easy, I love a good old fashioned cheese ball. I make mine with 8 oz cream cheese, 1 c shredded cheddar and 1-2 tsp curry powder, then rolled in finely chopped pecans and served with wheat thins. It's kind of retro and so easy. They also freeze beautifully, so you can make another one to keep on hand.
An easy app that never has any leftovers here is so easy! Just top a slice of cucumber with a dollop of Boursin cheese and then put a piece of bacon on top.
My family does little pizzas: Little Pizzas 1 lb Velveeta cheese 1 lb bulk pork sausage 2 Tablespoon ketchup 1 pkg cocktail rye bread 1/2 teasppon garlic powder Oregano
Cook sausage and drain. Melt Velveeta in a large suacepan, then add sausage. Heat through. Spread on cocktail rye. Put a little oregano on each pizza. Place on cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Note: Can be frozen. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serves 8 to 10.
Here's the variation I do to make it in advance, I combine the cheese, sausage, ketchup, and garlic powder as above and put it on the rye bread. I freeze it like that (once cold they store great in ziploc bags). When I take them out to cook per above, I add a bit of pizza sauce and oregano on each one right before putting them in the oven.
Post by 1confused1 on Dec 18, 2019 12:40:28 GMT -5
I always make baked brie.
Top a wheel of brie with brown sugar and pecans, wrap with crescent dough and bake per the dough instructions. Serve with a sliced baguette and crackers.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops Baked Brie Caprese Sticks (tomato, basil, mozzarella, balsamic reduction drizzle) Cocktail meatballs (meatballs, chili sauce, grape jelly) My kids tried these last time we were at Costco and raved about them, so I picked up a few boxed for NYE. www.safeway.com/shop/product-details.960525163.html
Cream cheese (1 block), feta (1 normal size container), splash of milk. Blend in a food processor until blended smooth. Kalamata olives, jar of roasted red peppers on oil, chopped finely. Spread cheese mix on toasted crostini, and top with olive/pepper mix.
Post by pierogigirl on Dec 18, 2019 14:51:54 GMT -5
artichoke dip bread dip made with Knorr vegetable dip mix Mini-meatballs in sauce (wither sweet/sour or Swedish) baked brie (this year I'm doing it in phyllo cups and topping with fig jam) coconut shrimp (not homemade - I buy the frozen ones)
Instead of a full baked brie wheel, I take phyllo dough (gluten free) and cut it into small squares. Put in a mini muffin tin. Then, cut pieces of brie to put in each muffin cup and bake. Once it's done, melt butter/brownsugar/pecans/dried cranberries and then put a small spoonfull over each brie cup. These work well because they taste pretty good at room temperature.
I make bacon wrapped dates, but don't fill the dates with cheese. I like them both ways.
I want to try this one: Strip steak Pappadew Peppers Feta or blue cheese Season the steak and cook to medium rare and then let it rest. Cut into even cubes. Assemble with steak/peppadew pepper (or roasted red peppers) and cheese on a small skewer.