Even though we’ve officially welcomed in the New Year, it’s likely holiday celebrations will continue this weekend. What would those parties be without appetizers and snacks to share? Like New Year’s Eve without the sparkly ball dropping in Times Square, winter without snow, champagne without a flute.
Here are a few quickly prepared savory treats I selected from my overflowing recipe vault that you might want to try as we continue to celebrate the arrival of 2014.
I have many appetizer recipes made with cheese (probably not surprised by that as I am from Wisconsin where they make the best and creamiest cheese) and many with seafood (I love our Alaska seafood.) We can all get back to our healthier eating and exercise regime soon enough.
Reggies Wedges
These tasty little wedges of savory goodness are best enjoyed warm from the oven. Makes 64 if you cut each muffin round into 8 pieces or 48 if you cut them into 6 pieces. Use your ulu to cut the wedges, works well.
1 1⁄2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely chopped black olives
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
1⁄2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon curry powder
Combine above ingredients in medium size bowl.
8 english muffins, split and toasted
Pre-heat broiler.
Spread about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture over each muffin half. Arrange on broiler pan. Broil until cheese melts. maybe about 2 or 3 minutes. Cut muffins into wedges and arrange on platter.
Serve immediately.
Spiced Holiday Nuts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
1⁄2 teaspoon curry powder
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon honey
3⁄4 cup walnuts
3⁄4 cup pecans
sea salt
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Lightly oil or spray with cooking spray.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan, add spices and saute 5 seconds. Stir in sugar, honey and add nuts. Stir until mixture is amber colored and nuts are well coated, about 6 minutes.
Transfter nut mixture to baking sheet. Separate nuts with a spoon and sprinkle with sea salt.
Addictive.
Caramelized Chili Shrimp
Quick to cook, shrimp is always a hit.
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1 clove garlic minced fine
1 pound uncooked large shrimp (21-30) peeled with tails on
slices of fresh lime
Heat oven to 500 degrees. Line a 15x10x1 inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
In resealable 1 gallon food storage plastic bag mix all ingredients except shrimp and lime wedges.
Add shrimp to bag, coating shrimp with spice sugar mixture.
Arrange in single layer on prepared pan.
Bake 7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Remove from oven and using pancake turner or tongs, turn shrimp over. Place on serving platter with lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels
makes 16 appetizers
1 can (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
2-4 tablespoons ranch dressing
1⁄4 cup real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled.
1⁄2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese (2 oz.)
1⁄4 cup chopped green onions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Unroll dough and separate into 2 long rectangles; press each into a 12×4 inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.
Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, cheese and onion.
Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 12-17 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and serve.
Time flies by so fast, so enjoy everyday and every treat that comes your way as long as you live.
Best wishes for a new year filled with lots of wonderful new memories waiting to be made and many yummy things.
Good cooking and good health to you all, my dear readers.
