What's your favorite appetizer to bring to parties? - Page 2

[MamaMelis]

Lately I am all over the cheese plate. I get three different varieties of cheese, slice some good crusty bread pretty thinly, bring olive oil and a balsamic creme for dipping, and throw on some roasted peppers or olives or artichoke hearts. tasty and social Brighten it up with a few sprigs of rosemary.

[KristyDi]

Dill Dip

16oz each Mayo and sour cream (you can sub yogurt for the sour cream if you like)
3 teaspoons dried dill
3 tablespoons Beau Monde seasoning mix
1 bunch green onions sliced

mix well.

I usually serve it in a pumpernickel bread bowl and cube an extra loaf of pumpernickel for dipping. I also serve various veggies for dipping. Cucumber and grape tomatoes are my favorites.

It's best if you mix the dip the night before so the flavors have time to combine.

[zinemama]

So glad you liked the cheese puffs, Chicky2! I got the recipe from my mother and am happy to have passed it along.

[wagamama]

lOVE

Originally Posted by MamaMelis

Lately I am all over the cheese plate. I get three different varieties of cheese, slice some good crusty bread pretty thinly, bring olive oil and a balsamic creme for dipping, and throw on some roasted peppers or olives or artichoke hearts. tasty and social Brighten it up with a few sprigs of rosemary.

Love this -- but what is balsamic creme?

[MamaMelis]

Its a cream of balsamic ~ essentially a reduction ~ made from a mixture of grape must and aged balsamic. I buy it at a local italian specialty store ~ though it isn't super expensive, the brand that I get is Isolda....they have several different varieties and all are excellent. Its thick and syrupy balsamic delight

[TCMoulton]

Glazed bacon wrapped water chestnuts .... which I am now craving!!

[Viola]

I need to copy off this thread. I'll never remember all these ideas.

[simple living mama]

I get polenta, slice it about 1/2 inch thick and fry them lightly with olive oil on each side in a pan. I throw a dollop of creamy goat cheese on top with a smidgen of sun dried tomato paste out of the can. They are to die for.

Another yummy is fresh beets baked on an oven try with olive oil. 20 minutes on both sides. Again a dollop of goat cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top. Always a hit.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by zinemama

Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)

Hmmm... I don't think these travel well. They get soggy when you have to take them to parties. For at home, they're great, but I think the thread is about appetizers that travel well. That is always much more difficult.

I think cold appetizers are best for travel. A cheese plate is always appropriate with some good crusty bread and you can't beat the convenience and transportability. This is a great idea, IMO:

Originally Posted by MamaMelis

Lately I am all over the cheese plate. I get three different varieties of cheese, slice some good crusty bread pretty thinly, bring olive oil and a balsamic creme for dipping, and throw on some roasted peppers or olives or artichoke hearts. tasty and social Brighten it up with a few sprigs of rosemary.

[zinemama]

Originally Posted by velochic

Hmmm... I don't think these travel well. They get soggy when you have to take them to parties. For at home, they're great, but I think the thread is about appetizers that travel well. That is always much more difficult.

These gougeres don't get soggy. No, ma'am. Believe me, I've brought them to many a party. Always a hit.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by zinemama

These gougeres don't get soggy. No, ma'am. Believe me, I've brought them to many a party. Always a hit.

Oh, I've made gougères for many, many years (20+) and have tried taking them to cocktail parties as well. They steam when you cover them and this does not allow them to retain the same texture... they also collapse in the center, which should be nothing but air, and get soggy when they collapse... in my experience. I've used the exact same recipe as your mothers... I got it from a 1959 edition of Betty Crocker's Guide to Easy Entertaining. I'm not trying to be difficult, just saying that in MY experience, they don't transport well. They are WONDERFUL for home, though.