Party Finger Food...can be dinner some days..lol

 

 

 

 

 

Antipasto Kabobs

The best thing about this recipe is you can do whatever you want, it's simple to put together and its a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients (choose to your liking)

Tortellini*
Balsamic vinaigrette (or other italian dressing)*
Mozzarella balls (or small cute pieces)*
Cherry Tomatoes*
Pepperoni
Basil*
Salami*
Olives
 
Directions
1. Cook tortellini as directed on box. When finished cooking, drain and then toss with dressing and let marinade for at least 30 minutes.
2. Place items of your liking on kabobs and then refrigerate until its time to serve!   *as seen in picture

Basil and Goat Cheese Bites

This recipe doesn't have exact measurements, just "guesstimates" and is a good outline for making your own creation

Baguette or French Bread
Olive Oil
Fresh Basil
Goat Cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Thinly slice your bread and drizzle a little oil over each slice.
3. Spinkle some freshly chopped basil and then some crumbled goat cheese over each slice.
4. Bake for 5-10 depending on your preference for the crunchyness of the bread.

Quick Beef & Cheese Calzones

(these make great party food...like little hand pies..filled with YUM)

1 10-ounce can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/3 pound thinly sliced cooked roast beef or ham
2 medium green onions, sliced (2 tablespoons)
1 4-ounce can mushroom pieces and stems, drained
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (1 ounce)
Dijon mustard

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Unroll pizza crust on cookie sheet; gently stretch to form 12-inch square. Layer beef, onions, mushrooms and cheeses on half of crust to within 1 inch of edge.

Fold crust over filling; fold edge up and seal with fork. Cut slits in top. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is hot. Cool 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with mustard.

Another variation on the same theme

 

 

 

Easy Italian Calzone

 

1 can (11oz.) refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough

8 oz. ground Italian Sausage
1/2 c. pizza sauce
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 c. Green Pepper, chopped
1/2 c. Red Pepper, chopped
1/2 c. Red Onion, diced
4 oz. can Black Olives, sliced
1 c. Pizza Cheese, shredded

 

Place sausage, peppers, and onion in a large skillet, saute until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are crisp-tender. Take the pizza dough our and spread it to fit cookie sheet. Cut into 4 large rectangles. Mix the pizza sauce and Italian herb mix with the meat/veggie mixture. Divide the mixture amongst each dough rectangle, top each with 1/4 of the slice black olives and 1/4 c. of the shredded cheese. Seal them shut and bake at 425 degrees for 12 minutes.

 

 

 

Mexican Layer Dip
29 oz. can refried beans (or make your own!)
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. jar hot salsa
8 oz. avacado chip dip
4 oz. can diced green chilies
1 c. taco sauce
4-6 green onions, diced
4 oz. black olives, sliced
6-8 oz. sharp shredded cheddar (always so much more delicious when you buy it in block form and shred it yourself!)
2 Roma Tomatoes, diced

 Layer the first 6 ingredients in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish
 Sprinkle on the shredded cheese, onion, black olives, & tomatoes.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Little Smokies Wienies

3 lb. Little Smokies
1 3/4 c. BBQ sauce
1 3/4 c. Grape Jelly

Combine the BBQ sauce and grape jelly in a small slow cooker. Stir in the little smokies. Cook on low for at least 2 hours, or until the smokies are nice and hot.

*Note: I bought this big bag of Smokies at Costco. You can easily half this recipe with a smaller bag like those sold at the grocery store. You can make this recipe with hot dogs cut into thirds.

Ham and Cheese Sliders
24 good white dinner rolls
24 pieces good honey ham
24 small slices Swiss cheese (I sometimes do half Swiss, half sharp cheddar & both are delicious)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup miracle whip

Poppy seed sauce
1 T poppy seeds
1 1/2 T yellow mustard
1 stick butter, melted
1 T minced onion
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and miracle whip. Spread lightly onto both sides of the center of each roll. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss inside of each roll. Close rolls and place them into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet. Place very close together.

 In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Pour evenly over all of the sandwiches. Let sit 10 minutes or until butter sets slightly. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes. Serve warm.

 ** sandwiches can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the fridge ready to bake.