Ready to Go Party Appetizers

Make your party preparations easier by creating delicious and simple appetizers.

If you are having a party, you may want to prepare simple appetizers that will not drain your time while you organize the party's other details. Hosts often consider the appetizers after they've planned the menu, decorations and entertainment, but guests expect something to nibble on when they arrive at the party. You can create ready-to-go party appetizers with a few ingredients and a little time. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. mushrooms
• 1 onion
• 12 stalks parsley
• 20 walnuts
• Toothpicks
• Butter
• 5 regular-sized pitas or 20 mini-pitas
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tsp.red wine
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp.basil
• 1 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup olive rings
• 1 lb. sliced mushrooms
• 1 lb. phyllo dough
• 10 hot dogs or 30 mini-hot dogs
• 1 lb. chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 avocado
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 cucumbers
• 2 carrots
• 2 ribs of celery
• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 can chickpeas
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 8 oz. pkg. crackers
• Pan

Instructions

Mushroom Caps

1. Lightly brush mushroom caps with melted butter and lay the caps face up on a baking sheet.

2. Mix toasted walnuts, parsley, chopped onion and the chopped mushroom stems together with grated cheddar cheese and fill the caps with the mixture. Keep the mushroom caps in the refrigerator until 20 minutes before your party begins.

3. Bake the mushroom caps immediately before your guests begin to arrive at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Serve piping hot with toothpicks to allow your guests to pop them into their mouths. Serves 8 people.

Mini-Pizzas

1. Buy mini-pitas or cut regular-sized pitas into triangles.

2. Smooth tomato sauce, simmered with crushed garlic, soy sauce, red wine, basil and oregano on the pitas.

3. Sprinkle grated cheese over the sauce and top with olive rings, sliced mushrooms or other pizza toppings.

4. Bake for five minutes in a medium-hot oven and serve right out of the oven. Serves 20 portions.

Pigs in a Blanket

1. Roll out phyllo dough and cut it into 3-inch squares.

2. Place one 2-inch piece of hot dog in each square and roll up to form a little basket.

3. Bake the baskets in the oven until light brown to make pigs-in-a-blanket for the party appetizers. Serves 10.

Chicken Fingers

1. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch thick slices.

2. Roll each "finger" in flour seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika.

3. Dip each finger in scrambled egg and roll it in bread crumbs.

4. Fry the "fingers" in oil or lay the fingers out on a pan and bake the chicken fingers in a medium oven for 20 minutes. Serves 10.

Hummos and Crackers

1. Prepare hummus dip by grinding up one can of chickpeas in a food processor together with garlic, parsley, salt, lemon juice and a third of a cup of olive oil.

2. Add enough hot water to allow the mixture to grind up finely.

3. Spread the hummus on a platter.

4. Drizzle some more olive oil on top of the hummus and sprinkle on some paprika for decoration.

5. Lay crackers around the sides of the dish and serve. Serves 10.

References

• Easy Appetizer Recipes: Cheddar Cheese Mushroms
• Easy Appetizer Recipes: Mini Pizzas
• Family Go: Party Appetizers