Showing posts with label Appetizer Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appetizer Tips. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Holiday Appetizer Tips


 From now until after New Years Day, there are lots of party's!  If you are hosting one, here are a few tips and recipes to make it easier.


What you need:

  • Savory Appetizers: 6 to 7 per person per hour
  • Sweet Appetizers: 3 to 5 per person per hour
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages: 1 cup per person per hour
  • Coffee: 1/2 cup per person
  • Tea: 1/4 cup per person
Some will want coffee and tea and some will not, so by making a smaller amount per person, it will equal out.

Tips:

Make appetizers that have different flavors and textures.  You don't want everything to look and taste the same.  Make an unusual appetizer like my Chocolate Covered Bacon to get people talking.

Prepare as many dishes as possible ahead of time.  Dips are always better when they have time for the flavors to blend.

Fresh vegetable and fruit trays are always a big hit. Have extra chopped and ready in the refrigerator so you can replenish the tray. 

Use your slow cooker to keep appetizers such as meatballs warm.

Don't serve anything that is too messy. 

Set up tables and decorations the night before.




 
 






My new cookbook is available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Friday,
for Easy Truffle recipes

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Chocolate Covered Bacon & Appetizer Tips

Chocolate Covered Bacon

8 slices thin sliced bacon
2 (1.45 ounce) dark chocolate candy bars
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange 8 slices of bacon on a slotted broiler pan or on a baking pan with two wire cooling racks.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towel. Cut each slice into 3 pieces.
Break chocolate bar into pieces, place in small microwave safe bowl.
Microwave for 60 seconds, stirring after 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted.  Dip bacon into chocolate, covering half of it with a very thin layer of chocolate.  Place on wax paper and sprinkle ground fresh pepper over top.
If needed, place in refrigerator to set chocolate quickly. 


Are you looking for a new appetizer to serve at your Super Bowl Party?   Before you say yuck, give this recipe a try. 

I recently went to a restaurant where they serve Chocolate Covered Bacon.  My first experience with this strange culinary creation was not a pleasant one.  The bacon was cut thick and the chocolate was overpowering, so I hesitated trying it again.  I am glad I did!  It was a thin crisp savory bite, with just a hint of sweetness.  I liked it so much, I went home and recreated the recipe. 

The trick to making this recipe, is to lightly cover half of the piece of bacon with a very thin coat of chocolate.  The crushed fresh ground black pepper counters the sweetness in the chocolate.  You could also add Cayenne pepper to the chocolate instead of the black pepper for a spicy variation.

Give it a try, at least you will have something else to talk about if your team loses the Super Bowl..

Appetizer Tips

If you are serving appetizers before a meal, prepare 4 to 6 pieces per person.

If dinner is served later in the evening, prepare 6 to 8 pieces per person.

If you are only serving appetizers, prepare 8 to 10 pieces per person.

Consider serving no-mess finger food that doesn't require utensils to be used, if you are not 
seated at a table to eat the appetizers.

Use hollowed out loaves of bread and bell peppers or other food items to serve dips in.

To keep appetizers cold, fill a bowl that is larger than the serving bowl, with ice.  Set the serving bowl on top of the ice. 

Cheese should be served at room temperature.

Giveaway!
On Friday, I will be doing two drawings!  
One from the Followers of my blog, and one from the
Fans of my new Facebook page.
For more details, read my post about the Giveaway.

Winners will receive copies of my cookbook,
MY KIND OF COOKING 3,4,5 INGREDIENT COOKBOOK

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!