Seven Layer Taco Casserole

Here is a great recipe for anyone looking for the ultimate taco salad recipe to serve as party food appetizers? This wonderful recipe for Seven Layer Taco Casserole is a delightful modification of the traditional Doritos taco salad recipe we have all tried and love.

This delicious Seven Layer Taco Casserole does double duty as delicious party food appetizers or a quick and easy weeknight dinner. No longer will you need to cajole the kids into eating their dinner - this Seven Layer Taco Casserole is a favorite of kids and adults alike.

What you need to make this delicious Seven Layer Taco Casserole:

1 pound ground beef, thawed
2 dollops of sour cream
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup water
1/2 cup thick taco sauce
1/2 cup ripe olives, drained, divided
1.25 ounces taco seasoning
12 taco shells, broken into pieces
2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Diced tomatoes with mild chiles

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375º F. Brown beef with onion and garlic, adding sour cream in a pan. Add water, taco sauce, seasonings, chiles, and 1/4 cup olives. Simmer for 3 minutes. In a large casserole dish, place a thick layer of broken taco shells.
Place a layer of meat on top, then layer on 1 cup of cheese.
Repeat these three layers again. Bake for 20 minutes.
Place leftover vegetables on top.

Enjoy!!

Recipe courtesy Seven Layer Taco Casserole.

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Make Ahead Appetizers - Egg Rolls

Make ahead appetizers are the ultimate life-savers during the hectic holiday season, and these delicous egg roll appetizers are the perfect make ahead appetizers for any large gathering.

These make ahead appetizers freeze well, just pull out of the freezer and pan fry once thawed. As an added bonus, homemade egg rolls are a much healthier and less expensive choice than store-bought party appetizers.

Switch up your make ahead appetizers - substitute shrimp for the pork for delicious shrimp appetizers, or tofu for the pork for wonderful vegetarian party food appetizers.

Make Ahead Appetizers - Egg Rolls

Ingredients:
Filling:
2 c. shredded cabbage
4 oz. chopped mushrooms (preferably fresh, but canned will work)
1/4 c. shredded carrots
1/2 c. chopped onions
1/4 c. celery, finely chopped
1 lb. pork, cut into very small pieces
1 tsp. peanut oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP soy sauce
1 TBSP cooking sherry
1 beaten egg
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 lb. tiny shrimp
1 pkg. Lumpia or Egg Roll Wrappers

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
2/3 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 TBSP white vinegar
1 TBSP catsup
1 dash soy sauce
Peanut oil for frying

Directions:
1) In a large wok or fry pan, cook pork in oil and garlic and drain. Add all vegetables and shrimp and cook for 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well.
2) Put mixture in a strainer and drain all juices and put mixture into a large bowl. Using a soup spoon, take a spoonful of mixture and fill each egg roll wrapper. Roll into a small egg roll.
3) Cook in electric skillet with peanut oil until golden brown and crisp .They freeze wonderfully! Pull out of freezer and pan fry after they thaw.

Sauce:
Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to boil and remove from heat. Place in small dipping bowl.

Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy Viva Diva Cafe.

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Party Food Appetizers - Shrimp Appetizers Kebobs

Great parties are remembered not only for the great company but also for the delicous party food appetizers that were served, and these delicous shrimp appetizers kebobs are certain to have your guests raving for months to come.

As far as party food appetizers go, shrimp appetizers are always in constant demand, and delicious, creative party appetizers help set the stage for a hightly successful get together.

This recipe for shrimp appetizers kebobs is not only delicous but also visually appealing, and is just as suitable for party food appetizers as it is for gourmet appetizers for a small and intimate dinner party.

Shrimp Appetizers Kebobs

Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh peeled and grated gingerroot
1 tablespoon lite soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
12 fresh large shrimp, peeled and deveined, leaving tails intact
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares (or stars with small star shaped cookie cutter)
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares (or stars with small star shaped cookie cutter)
12 fresh small mushrooms
6 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
Garnish: lime wedges and green onion curls, if desired

Directions:
1) Combine first 6 ingredients in a food-safe plastic bag. Place shrimp in bag with marinade; turn shrimp to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.
2) Set oven to broil. Lightly coat rack in broiler pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
3) Remove shrimp from marinade; reserving marinade. Alternate yellow and red bell pepper, mushrooms, shrimp and green onion pieces on each of twelve 6-inch skewers. Brush kabobs with reserved marinade, and discard remaining marinade.
Arrange the kabobs on the prepared rack in broiler pan.
4) Broil, 4 inches from heat, about 6 minutes, turning once, until shrimp are pink and veggies crisp tender. Arrange on a large serving platter or individual appetizer plates. Garnish with lime wedges and green onion curls, if desired.

Makes 12 appetizer servings. Increase quantities for larger crowds.

Recipe courtesy Viva Diva Cafe.

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Wonton Appetizers - Dim Sims Shrimp Appetizers

When planning the menu for your party food appetizers, always choose the easiest finger appetizers recipes to avoid making your guests juggle utensils, appetizers and cocktails.

These delicious Dim Sims Shrimp Appetizers from our wonton appetizers collection is the perfect choice for finger food appetizers. These wonton appetizers are a departure from the usual appetizers fare, yet are surprisingly easy to make appetizers that compliment any appetizers theme.

Dim Sims Shrimp Appetizers

8 oz (225 g) uncooked medium shrimp
1 lb (450 g) uncooked boneless lean pork
1/4 head small cabbage (about 4 oz or 115 g)
6 green onions
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 tblsp (45 ml) cornstarch
4 tsp (20 ml) soy sauce
1 tblsp (15 ml) sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) oyster sauce
48 wonton wrappers (about 1 lb or 45o g)
3 cups (750 ml) vegetable oil

Directions:
1) Remove shells and back veins from shrimp. Finely chop shrimp, pork, cabbage and onions with sharp knife or food processor. Transfer chopped foods to large bowl. Add eggs, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil and oyster sauce. Mix well.
2) Place rounded teaspoon of mixture onto center of each wonton wrapper.
3) Gently press wrappers around filling, tucking edges together, but leaving tops flared open, flower style. To avoid excessive drying, work with about 12 wrappers at a time.
4) Heat vegetable oil in wok over high heat until it reaches 375F (190C). Fry 8 to 10 dim sims at a time in hot oil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on absorbent paper towel.
Makes 4 dozen.

Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy Chinese Cooking Class Cookbook.

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Party Food Appetizers - Creamy Fiesta Dip

For the ultimate party food appetizers we absolutely swear by cold dips. Not only are dips great make ahead appetizers, they can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a large crowd.

When planning a menu for a large group of people, you have enough to worry about with preparing the main meal and cocktails without stressing about your party food appetizers as well. By planning your appetizers a week ahead of your party, you will have enough time to purchase the ingredients to prepare some great make ahead appetizers, and cold dips are the perfect time-saving choice.

As always, we relied on Kraft Kitchens to provide this delicous and sooo-easy Creamy Fiesta Dip from their Kraft Appetizer Recipes Collection - this great cold appetizer can be made a day or two prior to your party and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Creamy Fiesta Dip

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chunky salsa
1/2 cup parmesan grated cheese

MIX all ingredients; cover.
REFRIGERATE until ready to serve.
SERVE with crackers and assorted cut-up fresh vegetables.

Does it get any easier??

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Kraft Appetizer Recipes - Hot & Creamy Swiss Almond Spread

At Appetizers Unlimited, we absolutely love the Kraft Appetizer Recipes collection of quick and easy party food appetizers, and this Hot & Creamy Swiss Almond Spread is no exception!

Kraft appetizer recipes are a tremendous timesavers when you are pressed for time and will also save the day when unexpected guests drop by.

Using just five ingredients, this easy Kraft appetizer recipe can be assembled, baked and presented in under 25 minutes. Serve with a selection of crackers, artisan breads or broccoi and cauliflower florets and voila, quick easy appetizers that appeal to young and old alike!

Hot & Creamy Swiss Almond Spread

Ingredients:
1 pkg (250 g) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss Cheese
1/3 cup miracle whip or mayonnaise
1 green onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions:
HEAT oven to 350F.
MIX all ingredients except nuts in shallo baking dish.
BAKE 15 minutes, stirring after 8 min.
TOP with nuts.
Serve.

Recipe courtesy Kraft Foods.

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