menu choices for afternoon party

[NicksMommy]

Last year at my cookie exchange I had all cold finger foods like chips,dips,veggie tray--that kind of thing. I also had coffee, hot tea and spiced apple cider. This year I would like to "kick it up a notch"(as Emeril would say)and maybe go with hot appetizers this year. My party is from 1-3pm on a Sunday....I don't want to have a dinner really, just a few hot dishes along with the coffee,tea and cider. Any ideas for keeping it simple but good? Also, last year I had a pot of spiced apple cider simmering on the stove the whole time and it made the house smell SO good-but of course i've lost the recipe I used. Anyone have a recipe I could use? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bonnie]

Hot dips are always good. Paula Deen's Hot Cheese Spread is always a hit.

Baked Cheese Spread

2 cups mayonnaise (try Fat Free for less grease)
2 cups grated Colby cheese
2 cups chopped onion
Dash hot red pepper sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix all ingredients together and place in a pie plate or any baking dish. Bake until golden brown on top, approximately 30 minutes. Serve with crackers or bagel chips.

[NicksMommy]

Thanks Bonnie--that recipe sounds very good--I think it would go over pretty well with the group I usually have.I think i'll give it a try!

[Shawna Gasak]

I usually do a tea party theme. Finger sandwiches (egg salad, chicken salad, cucumber dill), mini quiches, scones with jam and devonshire cream, strawberries (plain and chocolate covered) and pecan tassies (miniature pecan pies). I serve tea, cider and Tom and Jerry's for drinks (optional with rum or brandy). I always get a ton of compliments on the food and it's a menu that I repeat for baby showers as well!

[Bonnie]

I saw this on one of my food boards. I remembered having these at a Christmas party a few years back and they were so good. Also, I think anytime you can put something together in advance and pop them in the oven to serve hot is a good thing.

I took these to a Christmas party last year and I was bombarded by people coming up to me asking for the recipe.

These freeze very well. Just store in a ziplock freezer bag & take them out & bake them as you need them.

Bacon Roll Ups

1-16 oz. loaf sandwich bread(Pepperidge Farm white bread works well)
2- 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1 16 oz. pkg. bacon

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a baking sheet with Pam.
Cut each bacon slice in half. Cut the crust off the bread and cut each slice into 3 equal rectangles. In a small bowl combine cream cheese & seasonings. Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture on each rectangle of bread & roll it up. Wrap a half slice of bacon around each bread roll & secure with a toothpick. Arrange rolls on baking sheet. Bake until bacon is crisp, turning if necessary.

[NicksMommy]

These all sound like great recipes--can't wait to try them. I would also like to make the wrapped cocktail wieners that Robin makes--but i've never made them before and although i've found alot of recipes on the web, i'm not sure which one she uses. Robin, or anyone else-can you help me with this recipe? :-/I see there are some that have cheese inside them as well--and some use a buttermilk dough--i'm completely at a loss here! LOL Thanks,Cindy

[Cathie]

Hi
I made this dessert for Thanksgiving, and I am going to make it for my Cookie Exchange. Everyone just loved it.

Gingerbread Trifle

2 cups cold milk
1 package 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding
7 cups cubed Gingerbread ( I used a boxed mix)
3/4 English Toffee bits
1 carton of Cool Whip thawed

In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. In a 2 qt trifle bowl or clear glass bowl layer half of the cake cubes, then the pudding. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup toffee bits Top with remaining cake and pudding. Spread whipped topping over the top; sprinkle with remaining toffee bits.
( I made 2 packages of the pudding and 4 cups milk)

I refrigerated this for about 4 hours before serving.
Enjoy

Cathie in PA

[carolannod]

I also have a hot dip recipe which is festive as well:

Spread cream cheese in bottom of a pie plate. Cover with a jar of Pizza Quick sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, along with finely diced red and green peppers and heat (in oven or microwave) until cheese is melted. Serve with thin Italian breadsticks or flatbreads.

[carolannod]

Hot Dog Wrap:

Wrap mini cocktail weiners or chunked hotdogs with raw bacon; secure with toothpicks. Place close together in cookie sheet and cover liberally with brown sugar. Bake in over at 350 degrees until bacon is cooked (1/2 hour - 45 minutes.) Delicious!