Entertaining/Easy Appetisers

Herbed Cheese Log

On a 12- by 15-in. piece of plastic wrap, mix 1 tbsp. each minced fresh chives, cilantro, and basil leaves.

Roll a 5 1/2- to 6-oz. log of fresh goat cheese in herb mixture to coat evenly. Set on a small serving dish and drizzle with 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil.
Serve with toasted baguette slices.
Makes: 8 servings
Time: 10 minutes

Spicy Sesame-Nut Mix
In a small bowl, whisk 1 large egg white until frothy; whisk in 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp. sesame seeds, 4 tsp. dried rubbed sage, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cayenne, and 1/2 tsp. salt.

Add 1¾ cups each salted peanuts and pecan halves and 1 cup pine nuts; stir. Divide the mixture between 2 large parchment-lined or nonstick baking pans and spread evenly.

Bake at 300°, stirring often, until nuts are golden and fragrant, 20 to 25 minutes. To prevent sticking, turn mixture often as it cools.
Makes: 6 cups
Time: 35 minutes

Deviled Eggs with or Without Bacon


In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, cook 2 strips coarsely chopped bacon until crisp and brown. Drain on paper towels; crumble when cool.

Set aside 1 tbsp. bacon fat. Shell 6 hard-cooked eggs and halve lengthwise. Put yolks in a small bowl and, with a fork, mash in reserved bacon fat, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard. Add hot sauce and salt to taste.

Divide yolk mixture evenly among egg whites. Top with bacon and flat-leaf parsley leaves just before serving.

Makes: 12
Time: 30 minutes

Soft Tacos with Chiles and Cheese (Rajas con Queso)

Broil 3 fresh poblano chiles, turning to char and blister on all sides. Let cool. Discard stems and seeds; cut chiles into thin strips.

Cook 1 sliced white onion in 1 tbsp. butter over medium heat until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in chile strips and top with jack cheese slices.
Cover and cook over low heat until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Scoop chile mixture into 6 small warm corn or flour tortillas.

Makes: 6
Time: 20 minutes via

Last month, I began posting my, "Entertaining Articles", look for them periodically each month. You can type Appetisers or Food in the search bar at the top left of my blog to find all of the articles and recipes. Also take a look at my cookware collection.

Entertaining/Easy Appetisers

Veggie Sticks with Avocado-Lime Dip


Bring about 1 qt. water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1/2 lb. trimmed green beans and cook until tender to the bite, 3 to 6 minutes. Drain and immerse immediately in ice water until cool, about 2 minutes; drain again.

In a blender or food processor, combine 1 firm-ripe pitted and peeled avocado, 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt, 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp. loosely packed fresh mint leaves, 1 peeled garlic clove, and 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; whirl until very smooth.

Serve dip with green beans and 1/2 lb. jicama cut into 1/2-in.-thick sticks.
Makes: 1 cup
Time: 30 minutes

Garlicky White Bean Dip


In a food processor, whirl 1 or 2 peeled garlic cloves until finely chopped. Scrape down bowl and add 2 cans (15 oz. each) drained and rinsed white beans, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp. finely shredded fresh lemon zest, and 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice. Whirl until smooth.

Transfer dip to a small bowl. Stir in 1 tbsp. very finely chopped fresh oregano leaves, then season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve with assorted fresh vegetables or pita bread.
Makes: 2¼ cups 
Time: 10 minutes

Rustic Grape Appetizer


Roast a 1-lb. bunch of grapes on a baking sheet in a 350° oven, turning occasionally, until caramelized, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with a hunk of your favorite blue cheese.

Makes: 8 servings
Time: 45 minutes

Dates with Bacon


Cut 6 strips thin-sliced bacon crosswise into 4-in. lengths. Wrap each of 18 pitted Medjool dates snugly with a piece of bacon, overlapping ends.

Set dates, seam sides down, in a 10- to 12-in. nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Turn dates occasionally until bacon is browned and crisp on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes total.

Drain on paper towels and serve warm or cool.

Makes: 18
Time: 25 minutes via

Entertaining/Easy Appetisers

Quick Cheese Fondue

Heat oven to 500°. Put a 1/2-lb. piece of slightly oozy brie cheese in a 2- to 3-cup shallow baking dish and bake until melted, 4 to 5 minutes.

Grind black pepper on top. Set dish on a heatproof surface and serve with toasted baguette slices, walnut bread, or sliced apples and pears.

Sausage Mushroom Caps

Rinse 24 medium-size button or cremini mushrooms (about 1 lb. total). Trim stems; save for another use.

Mix 1/3 lb. seasoned bulk pork sausage with 3 tbsp. seasoned dried bread crumbs. Mound sausage mixture in mushrooms, then set, filled side up, in a rimmed 10- by 15-in. baking pan.

Broil 6 to 7 in. from heat until sausage is well browned, about 5 minutes. Lift mushrooms onto a platter, brush with extra-virgin olive oil, and top each with a leaf of flat-leaf parsley.

Cracked Green Olives with Fennel

Drain 10 oz. green olives with pits and discard brine. Using the back of a spoon, press each olive just hard enough to crack it open (leave pits in).
In a small bowl, combine olives, 1 tsp. fennel seeds, 1 piece orange peel (about 1/8 in. wide and 3 in. long), 1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
Turn olives to coat. Serve right away or let marinate, chilled, up to 1 month.

Hasty Hots

Cut 1 slender baguette (1/2 lb.) in half, slice each half lengthwise, and place, cut side up, on a 12- by 15-in. baking sheet. Broil about 3 in. from heat until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup diagonally sliced green onions, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup grated or finely shredded parmesan cheese.

Spread mixture on bread. Return to broiler and broil until lightly browned, about 1½ minutes. Let cool about 2 minutes to crisp. Cut each piece in thirds.

Creamy Artichoke Dip

In a food processor, whirl together until blended and artichokes break into small pieces:

1/2 lb. cream cheese 2 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp. each salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. finely shredded fresh lemon zest 1 small finely chopped garlic clove Makes: 1½ cups 
Time: 15 minutes


I LOVE TO COOK, and I am always looking for new recipes. Especially appetisers. So what does this have to do with interior design? Entertaining!!!! Everyone loves to show off their homes and entertaining is a great way to do it. Serving delicious foods allows your guests to enjoy your cooking talents and the ambiance of the setting you provide. Football season will soon arrive these great appetisers are easy and are finger foods for snacking.

If I get enough positive comments on this article, I will continue to do a few more receipes from time to time. via