Saturday, December 12, 2009

Easy Appetizers - Brie Crab Appetizers Recipe

This time of year is a continuous whirlwind of parties, and trying to throw together some quick easy appetizers for unexpected get togethers can throw most people into a a tizzy but with a few easy appetizer recipes on hand, you can pull off that impromptu soiree like a pro.

Easy appetizers don't need to be frozen appetizers or a bag of chips with dip. Instead keep a variety of cheeses on hand for some easy to make appetizers that will compete with even the gourmet appetizers offered by catering companies. Brie cheese recipes such as an easy baked brie appetizer or this delicious Brie Crab Appetizers Recipe, courtesy Alouette Cheese, will have your guests raving about your gourmet appetizers!!

Baby Brie Crab Appetizers Recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Alouette Baby Brie Cheese
1 can (6 oz.) crab meat with leg meat, well drained
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. diced pimiento (from 2 oz. jar), drained
1 tbsp. minced shallot
2 pkg. (2.1 oz. each) frozen phyllo tartlet shells
1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

Directions

Heat oven to 350 F.

Trim rind from outside edge of cheese.
Cut crosswise into 6 strips. Trim rind from each strip.

To form 30 pieces, cut the 4 longest strips each into 6 cubes.
Cut the 2 shortest strips each into 3 cubes.

In small bowl, combine crab meat, mayonnaise, pimiento and shallot.

Arrange tartlet shells on large cookie sheet. Spoon crab mixture evenly into tartlet shells, about 1 tsp. each. Top with cheese cube.

Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is soft and melted.
Sprinkle with chives.

For more easy appetizer recipes visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Crab Appetizer on Foodista

Brie Tart on Foodista

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Baked Brie Appetizer with Pear and Red Onion Chutney

Just in time for the holiday entertaining season comes this updated version of the basic baked brie appetizer - a delicious Bake Brie Appetizer with Pear and Red Onion Chutney!!

A baked brie appetizer is one of the most versatile appetizers you can serve and is always a party appetizers favorite. Change your toppings with the to include seasonal produce to create a whole new baked brie appetizer suitable for any occasion.

This Baked Brie Appetizer with Pear and Red Onion Chutney is a perfect additon to any holiday party appetizers table - make lots as this baked brie appetizer is so delicous, it will have your guests lining up for more!

Baked Brie Appetizer with Pear and Red Onioin Chutney

Ingredients
2 x 125g packs Rosenborg-Castello® Brie Cheeses
Chutney :
2 x medium red onions - thinly sliced
1-2 tbsp oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 ripe pear - peeled, cored and diced
2-3 tbsp. apple juice
Walnut bread and a few salad leaves to serve.

Method
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
1. Make chutney by gently sauteeing the onion in the oil until soft and transparent - this will take about 10 minutes. Stir in sugar, pears and a little apple juice and continue cooking to soften pears and combine all the ingredients. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Place Brie on a baking sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes - until they feel soft when gently pressed on top.
3. Serve Baked brie appetizer with chunks of walnut bread, or artisan crackers and the chutney.

Recipe courtesy Rosenborg-Castello.

For more great baked brie appetizer recipes visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Baked Brie on Foodista

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Make Ahead Appetizers - Spinach Phyllo Roll-Ups

The Kraft Appetizer Recipes Collection of make ahead appetizers is a veritable treasure trove of quick easy appetizer ideas for the holiday entertaining season, and this delicious appetizer recipe for Spinach Phyllo Roll-Ups is no exception.

Great make ahead appetizers are the base around which to build any party appetizers table, and make ahead appetizers are also perfect to keep in the freezer for those guests who drop by unexpectedly over the holiday season.

The delicious Spinach Phyllo Roll-Ups can be stored unbaked in the freezer up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply pull out your make ahead appetizers and bake!

Make Ahead Appetizers - Spinach Phyllo Roll-Ups

Ingredients:
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1 egg, beaten
1 tub (250 g) Philadelphia cream cheese spread
1 cup Kraft Feta with Oregano, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Cracked Peppercorns
1 pkg. (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
15 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed, divided
1/3 cup butter, melted, divided

Directions:
COMBINE all ingredients except phyllo and butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet on clean work surface; brush lightly with butter. Top with 2 more phyllo sheets, brushing some of the remaining butter between each layer. Place remaining phyllo between sheets of plastic wrap; set aside.

SPREAD 1/5 of the the spinach mixture along one short side of phyllo stack to within 1 inch of ends. Fold in long sides of phyllo; roll up from one short side to make log. Brush with some of the remaining butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo sheets, spinach mixture and butter. To prevent phyllo from cracking, score logs at 1-inch intervals.

PLACE in large freezer-weight resealable plastic bags. (Or wrap tightly in plastic wrap until ready to bake.) Remove from freezer 30 min. before baking. Let stand at room temperature while heating oven to 375ºF. Place on baking sheet.

BAKE 25 min. or until golden brown. Cool 5 min. Transfer to cutting board. Use serrated knife to cut each log into 6 slices to serve.

Recipe courtesy Kraft Canada.

For more great make ahead appetizers visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Phyllo Spinach Triangles on Foodista

Monday, December 7, 2009

Make Ahead Appetizers - Holiday Cheese Truffles

Make ahead appetizers are tremendous time savers throughout the holiday entertaining season, and these quick easy appetizers from the Kraft appetizer recipes collection are not only great make ahead appetizers, they are also some of the easiest finger appetizers to keep on hand for unexpected company.

Holiday Cheese Truffles are quick easy appetizers to make, and are a festive way to dress up a holiday appetizers table. Create a festive wreath with these make ahead appetizers by arranging different flavoured truffles in a large circle on platter to resemble a holiday wreath. Create a decorative bow out of green onion strips. Use to garnish wreath.

Using the basic appetizer recipe, make Christmas appetizer cheese logs by rolling each half into 6-inch log before coating with nuts.

However you choose to serve these delicious make ahead appetizers, one thing is certain - these quick easy appetizers will become a party appetizers favorite for years to come.

Ingredients:
2 pkg. (250 g each) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (200 g) Cheddar Shredded Cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
Dash cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
2 green onions, chopped
1-2/3 cups chopped pecans
Crackers for serving

Make It!
BEAT first 4 ingredients with mixer until blended. Divide in half. Add roasted peppers to half and onions to other half; mix each until blended.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.

SHAPE into 24 (1-inch) balls. Roll in nuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers.

Variation:
For variety, coat truffles with one or more of the following: sesame seed, chopped fresh parsley, paprika and/or your favourite shredded cheese.

Recipe courtesy Kraft Canada.

For more great make ahead appetizers visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Cheese Ball on Foodista

Sunday, December 6, 2009

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.

For more great make ahead appetizers visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Egg Roll on Foodista

Friday, December 4, 2009

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.

For more great party food appetizers and shrimp appetizers recipes visit http://www.appetizersunlimited.com/.
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit http://www.amateur-chef.net/

Stuffed Shrimp Appetizer on Foodista

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Make Ahead Appetizers - Crispy Coconut Shrimp Appetizers

Make Ahead Appetizers help save the day when trying to juggle a full work and busy family schedule during the hectic entertaining season, and these delicious crispy coconut shrimp appetizers do double duty as valuable time saving make ahead appetizers, and exceptionally easy to make appetizers.

Shrimp appetizers are always the highlight of any party appetizers tray, and these delicious offerings from the Kraft Appetizer recipes collection are certain not to disappoint!

Crispy Coconut Shrimp Appetizers

Ingredients:
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted
1 pouch Extra Crispy Chicken Coating Mix
1/4 tsp. each curry powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
24 uncooked large shrimp (1 lb./450 g), peeled, deveined
1 egg, beaten

Directions:
HEAT oven to 400°F. Combine coconut, coating mix and seasonings in shallow bowl.
DIP shrimp in egg, then roll in coconut mixture until evenly coated. Place on baking sheet.
BAKE 10 to 12 min. or until shrimp are tender.

Make Ahead
These appetizers can be assembled ahead of time. Refrigerate up to 3 hours before baking as directed.

Curry Dip
Mix 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing, 1/4 cup Pure Orange Marmalade, 1 tsp. curry powder and 2 to 3 drops hot pepper sauce until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve as a dip with the shrimp.

Enjoy!

Crispy Coconut Shrimp Recipe courtesy Kraft Kitchens.

For more great make ahead appetizers visit www.appetizersunlimited.com
For more great recipes, Chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Coconut Shrimp on Foodista