3 Appetizers to make ahead and keep on hand
The Holidays are fast approaching and that means we’re going to be entertaining a lot. And that means to us, that we need to gather some of our favorite appetizer recipes to get ready. We like to have folks over for a drink and an appetizer on the spur of the moment. We also like to be prepared for invitations to friends homes. I like to make everything so we don’t rely on frozen food from the grocery. These recipes are a great way to be prepared for any entertaining event.
Why Appetizers?
Among our group of friends, we’ve decided that since we’re all of a little more mature age, we don’t want as many full meals as we used to. So now, for lots of our gatherings, we’re just having appetizers. From simple finger foods like raw fruits and veggis, to the most elaborate charcuterie board or antipasto platter. We generally have a nice selection of hot and cold, simple to more involved, even without specifying who brings what. Sometimes (actually, quite often) there’s even a bit of competition among the cooks for both taste and presentation. I usually place a fresh flower on mine (as we live in Florida & have flowers year round).
Following are 3 great make ahead appetizer recipes
Swedish Meat Balls
2 lbs. Ground Beef 1/4 box (1 Tube) Saltine Crackers
1 1/2 cups chopped onion 2 Tbsp. Olive oil
2 eggs 1 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
Saute onions in olive oil until translucent. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl, by hand. Roll out into walnut-sized balls.
Place on baking sheet (with sides), bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from sheet and drain on wire racks. Serve warm, coated with following sauce, in a serving dish. Makes approximately 35-40 balls.
Sauce: 1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk 1 small jar Pimentos
Heat all together until mixed and warmed through. Pour over meatballs.
Can be made ahead , wrapped and frozen. Thaw in refrigerator and then bake as above.
Delicious!!
Butternut Tex-Mex Spread
1 med. to large Butternut Squash – Prepped:
Cut squash in half, remove seeds, turn upside down in glass baking dish & microwave for 7-10 min or until flesh is soft. Cool.
Scoop out flesh, leaving about 1/2″ border just inside the skin (we will be using shell as serving dish). Cut flesh into 1/2 ” pieces.
1 can Black Beans 1 can whole kernel corn
1 Cup Salsa 1/2 cup chopped onion
jalapeno to taste 1 cup reserved squash (above)
1 c. shredded Mexican Cheese
In large mixing bowl, place all ingredients, except 1/2 cup of the cheese, and thoroughly mix. Put all back into shells and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 min until hot and cheese is melted. Serve with Sour Cream, Guacamole and Tortilla scoopers.
The filling may be wrapped, frozen without the shells. To serve, thaw, place in oven-proof dish and bake as above.!!
Rave Reviews!!
Asparagus Roll-ups
1 lb. Asparagus, cut into 4″ spears
1/2 Lb. Muenster cheese, sliced, and cut into 1/3’s
10 slices thin-sliced ham (cold cuts)
Steam the asparagus until barely tender (do not overcook).
Lay the ham slices out flat. Place asparagus spears on top (1-2 depending on diameter of spear). Place one of the thirds of Muenster cheese on top. Roll all up like a jellyroll. Place into a glass casserole dish. Heat in microwave until cheese melts. Do not overcook. To freeze, I leave them in the baking dish and wrap with plastic wrap. Thaw and bake
These go fast!!
All of these are staples for our entertaining so we try to keep at least one of each in our freezer most of the time. We also have my Toast Crisps and Cream Cheese/Sundried Tomato/Olive spread on hand too. Add a few raw veggis, maybe some nuts and cheese cubes and you could serve a bunch of drop-in guests. Oh, I almost forgot: keep your drink cabinet stocked and don’t forget the water & sodas or juices.
WE LOVE ENTERTAINING!
Ron
The best Vitamin for Friendship is
“B” One !
Well here we are still trimming & harvesting our tomato plants and picking fresh basil And parsley, thanks to you two and your blog. Jim says “I feel like The Godfather while I’m watering the plants and flowers”. It’s been years since we’ve had a garden and now we’re planning to enlarge and add more veggies and another flower area next year. Thank you Rita and Ron for your inspirations and recipes and peaceful loving written style.
Barb & Jim
Well here we are still trimming & harvesting our tomato plants and picking fresh basil And parsley, thanks to you two and your blog. Jim says “I feel like The Godfather while I’m watering the plants and flowers”. It’s been years since we’ve had a garden and now we’re planning to enlarge and add more veggies and another flower area next year. Thank you Rita and Ron for your inspirations and recipes and peaceful loving written style.
Barb & Jim