Cuisine: Hors d'oeuvres
Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini
This Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini is an easy, elegant appetizer. By roasting the grapes that are doused in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it concentrates and intensifies the flavor. It's a great appetizer when paired with wine.
By - Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 12 crostini
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Suspend your disbelief and get out your slow cooker! These Grape Jelly Meatballs use frozen meatballs (I used IKEA meatballs), Concord grape jelly, and chili sauce (or BBQ sauce). It's a southern recipe and is sometimes called hillbilly meatballs. I promise you they are absolutely delicious!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 3 hrs
- Yields: 12 Servings
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Wrapped in Bacon
These Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Wrapped in Bacon are one of my favorite hors d'oeuvres. I love the sweetness of the dates with the saltiness of the bacon which all come together with the tangy goat cheese. I assemble them earlier in the day ready for the oven later.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Hot Corn Dip
This Hot Corn Dip is from Celebrate with Babs, by Barbara Costello, 2022. I have to say, it didn't last long, it's so good. You can make it ahead and put it in the oven before serving. I divided it into 2 separate casserole dishes, which worked well.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 10 - 12 Servings
Fried Cheese Wedges with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
I will admit that I happen to love Laughing Cow Cheese. I made Fried Cheese Wedges with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and it was a revelation. Dip them in flour, egg, seasoning, and fry. Serve with crackers.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Cheesy Pickle Chips
I made these Cheesy Pickle Chips and my family went crazy. It's so quick and easy to make and it's a Keto recipe. You just put some grated cheese in a muffin tin, put a pickle on the cheese, sprinkle with ranch seasoning (you could use your favorite season), top with more cheese, and bake for 10 minutes. As Ina would say, how easy is that!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Pistachios
These Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Pistachios is one of Evan Kleiman's signature appetizers. She recommends using Cypress Grove Purple Haze fresh goat cheese with a hint of lavender and fennel pollen. The tart tangy cheese pairs really well with the sweetness of the dates.
- Prep: 15 mins
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Soy-Ginger Sauce
Shishito peppers have become a popular appetizer. They are mostly mild, but about one out of ten are spicy, which adds an element of surprise. The person that gets the spicy one will have good luck! The other interesting aspect of this dish is when you add the bonito flakes (dried fish flakes) on top before serving they move and dance from the heat of the peppers.
Crabbies
Last month we spent the weekend in La Quinta, California and had a lovely time seeing our friends at their home in Palm Desert. Judie made wonderful hors d’oeuvres, which included these Crabbies. She was kind enough to send me the recipe. The recipe has been around for years, though no one seems to know where it originated. It calls for a jar of Kraft Old English Cheese, which is a key ingredient. If you can’t find it at your local market, you can buy it online. The beauty of this recipe is that it makes a large amount that you can keep in your freezer and pull as many out as needed and bake until golden.
I make a similar hors d’oeuvres called Curried Shrimp Croustades.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
Spicy Baby Corn Satay
I've always like canned baby corn, but I mainly use it in stir fries. This Spicy Baby Corn Satay is a new and different idea. This makes a great appetizer. Next time I will try it with a yogurt dipping sauce.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
