appetizers

Holiday Appetizers 101: Chili Dip.

Please update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp This dip is ugly. But it is oh, so good. Well, honestly, I can’t even say because by the time I tried to have a bite, it was gone. But who are we kidding? We all know I licked the dish. Who cares how many guests were around? I have no shame. I adapted this recipe from my friend Kelly – you know, the one with the adorable baby?? It calls for a can of chili, but I happened to have some of my own chili, frozen. Now that is true Mother Lovett fashion there. I wish you all could have seen her freezer, fully stocked with pie crust from 1994 and cookies from 2002. That she still ate. The recipe called for the chili to be layered on the cream cheese. Do you know what we (my husband and I. And the mysterious creature in the house who eats all the cookies. Who isn’t me.) decided?? We much prefer our dips mixed. So I mixed up some chili and cream cheese in a bowl. And added a few handfuls of cheddar to make it more fattening delectable. Spread it into a dish. And [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheeseball.

Still not receiving my updates since I switched domains? Please update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp I came up with this concoction, hoping it would taste okay. I added cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar together. I was hesitant to use a natural peanut butter because I didn’t want this to come out ‘oily.’ I used Skippy Natural (which is my mind, isn’t really natural) and it worked perfectly. I would suggest a creamier peanut butter – it would probably be incredible with Dark Chocolate Dreams! I threw in a few handfuls of chocolate chips. After multiple binges tastings, I decided it needed a bit more sugar, too. Doesn’t it looks like cookie dough? It even kind of resembles the cookie dough truffle mix. Either way, I still inhaled some. I rolled it into a ball and threw it in the fridge to set. After crushing some graham crackers, I rolled the cheeseball through them for a topping. I didn’t expect my husband, most men, or even my mom to enjoy this – at least not more than one taste. It wasn’t very sweet, but I was not sure [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Mini Rye Breads.

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp We have another super easy and quick appetizer here! Have you ever seen these mini rye breads? They are near the deli counter and gourmet cheese in my grocery store. My mom started making this appetizer last year. It is so simple and fast, but tastes delicious and unique. You can use any spread. We like this gorgonzola spread. I think spinach and artichoke would be incredible. Flavored hummus would probably also be great. You could also top these with a bit of cheese or preseves. Or a chunk of brie!! Make a slice of rye with gourmet brie on top. Then go out and buy some bigger clothes. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to eat it all. And you will. All you have to do is layer some spread on the rye breads, and pop them into the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Talk about the perfect last minute appetizer. And as long as your pay attention, you could use the broiler – it would probably take 5 minutes or less. Even better – you can just throw them all onto [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Easy Cheeseball.

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp This is a simple cheeseball that most people will love. Yes, it has olives in it, but the olive taste is masked. My husband doesn’t like olives (well…I don’t think he does) and he has eaten this before. Yes, hubby. I know your eyes are wide as you are reading this. You have eaten this before. You’ve also eaten ricotta cheese countless times, even though you hate it and swear you never eat it. I chop up the olives. And add them to some cream cheese. Throughly mix it up. This cheeseball is a staple that my mom and grandma (this one, not Mother Lovett) always make. It makes a great appetizer, isn’t very heavy, and it usually gets devoured before dinner. This is also one of those cases where it is probably alright to use a low-fat version of the cream cheese. Since we are simply spreading it on crackers, I think it still tastes great. And the other flavors and additions help even out the texture. So by all means, make this a low-fat appetizer! I use raw walnuts. This is what the [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Crabmeat Bites.

This appetizer includes three of my most favorite ingredients: Cheese Butter Seafood There is no going wrong here. The perfect combo, right? If it had some bacon in it, I’d be in heaven. My mom has been making these crabmeat bites for as long as I can remember – probably 15 years or more? And while she is chronically late to every party we attend, and this appetizer usually arrives at dinner time, it still gets eaten in record speed. Everyone loves them! (And over the years, her lateness has gotten better. Though I am still scarred from being late everywhere I went as a child, and now arrive to my destination an annoying 15 minutes early. This does not bode well if you are trying to be ‘fashionably late,’ which I didn’t even realize was cool until … now.) It’s a simple start by throwing everything in a saucepan. I usually don’t use canned crabmeat and prefer the more ‘fresh’ variety. This canned crab is what we have always used for this dish and I didn’t intend on switching things up here. It tastes too good. The ingredients combine and melt together to [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Pizza Dip.

I stole got this recipe from my friend Cindy. I used all of her same ingredients, but mixed things up a bit. I chopped up some pepperoni into tiny peices. And used a generous amount of italian seasoning – it gives the dip most of it’s flavor. I don’t really care for italian seasoning, most likely because it is green and looks ‘vegetable-like’. But I took one for the team this time. I put cheese in the cream cheese, because I like adding cheese to cheese. What goes better with cheese, besides cheese? And bacon. And wine. And even chocolate. I’ll stop there. Anyhow, I folded everything in to the cream cheese. Spread it into a baking dish. And topped it with more of the goods, this time adding sauce to the mix. I love pizza, but I don’t love pepperoni. I never really have. While I am all about adding more grease to pizza, why would I want to add more protein? I’d rather eat it in all of it’s fatty glory and then uncomfortably roll around in elastic-waistband pants for [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Bacon Wrapped Scallops.

Please update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp I’ll tell you a little secret. You can find frozen bacon wrapped scallops at Sam’s Club and Costco, and I’m sure a few other places. That would take the work out of it, but it would also take out the fun! Plus, you have the feeling of acheivement you get from knowing that you made the bacon wrapped scallops yourself. And they taste so much better. I buy a few pounds of fresh scallops. And season them with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I slice the pieces of bacon in half, or in thirds, depending on the size of the scallop. I use applewood smoked bacon – my fave. Wrap a bacon slice around and secure it with a toothpick. The toothpick may not look as fancy, but it serves a purpose. Your guests will be happy to pick these up and pop them in their mouth without having to wash their hands or use a fork. I place them under the broiler for a total of about 10 minutes. You may need to broil them for a shorter or longer period of [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Gorgonzola Stuffed Olives.

Update your readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Many of the appetizers I have posted have been pretty darn simple. And quick. This one takes the cake, though. Speaking of past appetizers, have you missed any? Buffalo Chicken Dip Fresh Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Bacon Baked Brie with Cranberry, Pancetta, and Spiced Pecans Fruit Salsa Cinnamon Sugared Roasted Almonds Firecracker Shrimp Bruschetta It doesn’t get much simpler than these olives and gorgonzola. And it is super classy, impressive, and deliciously mouth-watering. I buy a container of seasoned, pitted olives. After eating my weight in olives, I stuff a few with crumbled gorgonzola for the hungry guests. So thoughtful, I know. These are always crowd pleasers. The soft, creamy gorgonzola combined with the salty olive makes for the perfect combination. This appetizer is also a nice size – guests can thoroughly enjoy them without stuffing themselves before the main course. Gorgonzola Stuffed Olives 1 container large, seasoned, pitted olives 3-4 tablespoons crumbled gorgonzola Make sure all pits are out of olives. Fill the olive opening with one large or a few small gorgonzola crumbles. Serve with crackers, cheese and fresh bread. Check out these juicy olives. [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Traditional Bruschetta.

Update your readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Who doesn’t love a slice of toasted french bread with olive oil, garlic, cheese and tomatoes? Ok, I mean besides that size 2 skirt hanging in your closet. There are so many variations of bruschetta, and this one can be made in under 30 minutes. I chop the tomatoes coarsely, and the garlic finely. I use French bread. I think it is best to use day-old bread. Regardless, it is going to get toasty! (and if you don’t use it all, you can dip the rest in olive oil mixed with spices and parmesan cheese. but shhh. I didn’t tell you that.) Make sure to slice it into nice, even, thick slices. And brush with a bit of olive oil for toasting purposes. And flavor purposes. And eating purposes. And buying-new-pants purposes. Sorry. I mix the tomatoes and garlic together, spoon a bit on the bread, and add a touch of cheese. I bake it like this, and when it comes out of the oven, I add a bit more fresh tomato and garlic on [...]

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Holiday Appetizers 101: Fresh Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Bacon.

Update your readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Here we have another excellent appetizer to cause you to unbuckle that belt one meal too early! It is the holiday season, right? Unbuckling pants mid-meal is inevitable. Just wear a cute, long top like I do. I love a thick, creamy spinach dip. I love it even more with bacon. I love it even more with smoked cheese. This is a treat every will love. Even veggie-haters like myself. Along with cream cheese, I use mayonnaise and sour cream and my base. Just as with the buffalo chicken dip, if you are making this for a crowd, I suggest using full-fat ingredients. I happened to have low-fat mayo, so I used it up. I’d much rather clog my arteries with full-fat mayo, though. Don’t you? Fresh sauteed spinach, garlic and shallots. Make sure you use an entire bag of spinach so you are left with enough for the dip by the time it cooks down. I love using fresh spinach, and must admit I’ve never even tried frozen spinach. I fold everything together with a spatula [...]

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