Easiest Finger Appetizers - Red Grape Cups with Goat Cheese and Pistachio

Even the best culinary schools purport that easy appetizer recipes usually make the best appetizer party recipes, and if they can also be prepared in advance you have the makings of some wonderful time saving and delicous make ahead appetizers suitable for even the most sophisticated of soirees - all it takes is a few key ingredients and a little bit of imagination.

This simple recipe for make ahead appetizers uses only 3 key ingredients that compliment each other well both visually and in flavor, yet this easy appetizer recipe is by far one of the easiest finger appetizers that we have in our extensive library of party food appetizers.

Choose large, fresh red grapes and be certain to double or triple up the appetizer recipe for large crowds - these make ahead appetizers are sure to be the hit of your next party!!

Recipe courtesy Home Made Simple.


Red Grape Cups with Goat Cheese and Pistachio

INGREDIENTS
12 large red globe grapes
1 log (115 grams/4 ounces) goat cheese
125 mL (1/2 cup) shelled pistachios, finely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut each grape in half. Cut a small slice off the end of each half to prevent it from tipping.
Using a small melon baller or a tiny spoon, scoop out any seeds and enough flesh to create a slight indentation.
Cut the goat cheese log into 24 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
Press one side of each ball of goat cheese into the chopped pistachios.
Place the cheese in each grape half, pistachio-side up. Press gently to adhere. Serve on a small dish or a small decorative cake stand for an elegant effect.
Make Ahead Tip: Grape Cups can be prepared several hours in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight container, until ready to serve. Let them come to room temperature before serving.

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Easiest Finger Appetizers for Super Bowl - No-Fuss Mexican Layered Dip

Super Bowl parties are the perfect venue for some of the easiest finger appetizers in our collection, and this easy appetizer recipe for No-Fuss Mexican Layered Dip is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

The key to making great appetizers for a crowd is to keep it simple - fancy appetizer recipes have no place at our Super Bowl Parties!! Mexican appetizers are alway a hit and are some of the easiest finger appetizers to serve for large and small groups. As an added bonus, Mexican appetizers are generally cheap easy appetizers to make and won't take a chunk out of your budget!!

Kick off your 2010 Super Bowl party appetizers with this quick easy Mexican appetizers recipe from the Kraft Appetizer Recipes Collection, courtesy Kraft Kitchens.

No-Fuss Mexican Layered Dip

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (250 g) brick cream cheese spread, softened
1 Tbsp. taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa
1 cup rinsed canned black beans
4 green onions, chopped 1 cup cheddar shredded cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
2 Tbsp. sliced black olives
Baked tortilla chips

Make It!
BEAT cream cheese spread with mixer until creamy. Add seasoning mix; beat until well blended. Spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.

LAYER all remaining ingredients except tortilla chips over cream cheese mixture.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Serve with chips.

Enjoy!

For more great recipe Mexican appetizers visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
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Gourmet Appetizers - Roasted Apple and Prosciutto Wedges

Most people cringe when they hear the words gourmet appetizers, envisioning hours spent in the kitchen to create these delectable treats. But not all gourmet appetizers are difficult to make and that will certainly become apparent when you read the instructions and ingredients for this easy appetizer recipe for Roasted Apple and Prosciutto Wedges.

Apple and prosciutto are a perfect marriage in this gourmet appetizer recipe, with the sweet taste of the roasted apples complimenting the salty taste of the paper-thin prosciutto (Italian ham). You can use any variety of apple but we would suggest that you choose firmer apples to allow this to be eaten as finger appetizers.

So roll up your sleeves and set 20 minutes aside (honestly, that's all the time it will take for these gourmet appetizers from start to serving) and get ready to accept the compliments from your admiring guests!

Roasted Apple and Prosciutto Wedges

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tblsp dry breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into eights (Cortland, Fuji or Honeycrisp)
16 thin slices prosciutto

1. Preheat oven to 425F
2. In small bowl, combine brown sugar, breadcrumbs and pepper.
3. Dip apple wedges in sugar mixture, turning and pressing to coat completely. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each apple wedge and secure by skewering with a toothpick.
4. Place on parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until prosciutto is slightly crisp and sugar has caramelized.

Makes 16 appetizers.
Recipe courtesy House & Home

Enjoy!

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Thanksgiving Appetizers - Mini Grilled Tasters

With Thanksgiving creaping up on us heralding the start of the new holiday season, now is the time to start thinking about turkey dinners and Thanksgiving Appetizers.

The bountiful harvest season provides a multitude of fresh ingredients for some great appetizer recipes. Unlike lighter ingredients used in most summer appetizers, Thanksgiving appetizers can be heartier fare as we usher in the colder weather of the winter season.

This easy appetizer recipe for Mini Grilled Tasters can easily be converted to a main course by not cutting into smaller pieces, making this one of our most versatile appetizer ideas of the Thanksgiving season.

Mini Grilled Tasters

12 slices bread
prepared mustard or dijon mustard
12 slices Swiss or Havarti cheese
12 slices pickles
12 slices smoked turkey, ham, roast beef or any combination
1/2 cup (125 ml) milk
3 eggs
1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt
2 tblsp (30 ml) canola or vegetable oil
Homemade Salsa (see easy recipe below)

1. Spread desired amount of mustard on one slice of bread. Place one slice of cheese on top of mustard. Add 2 slices of pickles and 2 slices of deli meat. Top with another slice of cheese and cover with a slice of bread. Assemble remaining 5 sandwiches. Press sandwiches lightly and trim crusts. Slice each sandwich into 4 triangles or squares.
2. In medium bowl, beat milk, eggs and salt. Dip sandwich bites into egg mixture.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Grill each sandwich until brown on both sides, adding more oil if necessary. Turn down the heat if the pan gets too hot.

Easy Homemade Salsa
Combine desired amounts of chopped pickles, red onion, cherry tomatos, green pepper and fresh cilantro. Add a spoonful of the mixture to the top of your Mini Grilled Tasters for a colorful garnish.

Serve as an appetizer or if serving as meal meal cut each sandwich into 2 pieces only.

Recipe courtesy Simply Homemade.

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