Guests arrive for your holiday dinner at various times, some arrive early because they traveled far to get there, some are overnight guests and some are sliding in right before dinner is served. Putting out some appetizers helps to give you some slack in preparing the meal, also. If guests have a little to eat when they arrive, they are not peeking in the kitchen every 10 minutes to see when dinner is done. Appetizers can also help for those that might have missed a meal if they traveled a couple of hours to get there on time.
Cheddar StrawsINGREDIENTS:Yields 8 dozen
1 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, at room temperature
9 tablespoons butter, unsalted, softened
DIRECTIONS1. Heat oven to 375.2. Combine flour and cayenne pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Combine cheese and butter in food processor/ mixer until smooth.
4. Add flour mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Make straws using a cookie press or roll dough to 1/8 inch and cut into small strips.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Restaurant Style Potato SkinsINGREDIENTS:
Servings 8 8 potatoes1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
11 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons bacon bits or bacon pieces
16 ounces sour cream2 green onions, chopped or dried chives
DIRECTIONS:1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave the potatoes on high until they are soft; approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Cut the potatoes in half vertically. Scoop the inside out of the potatoes, until 1/4 inch of the potato shell remains.
4. Heat oil to 365 degrees F in a deep fryer or a deep saucepan. Place the potatoes in hot oil, fry for 5 minutes. Drain potatoes on paper towels.
5. Fill the potato shells with cheese and bacon bits and sprinkle with green onions. Arrange them in the prepared baking pan.
6. Bake for 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve hot with sour cream.
Simple & Delicious Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
INGREDIENTS 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cranberry sauce 1 tablespoon dried chives
1 teaspoon garlic saltDIRECTIONS
1. Mix all the items together until well blended. Serve with crackers.
Taco Biscuit BitesINGREDIENTSYield 1 1/2 dozen
1/4 cup taco sauce1/4 cup milk1/2 teaspoon dried onion flakes
2 cups biscuit mix3 teaspoons butter or margarine, melted
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Add biscuit mix, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 4 or 5 times.
4. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut with a 1 1/2-inch biscuit cutter (or you can use a kitchen glass to cut a round biscuit).
5. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
6. Brush tops with butter, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake at 450* for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
8. Serve immediately.
