Any ideas for an inexpensive appetizers

[Love2Cook]

Hi everyone
Does anyone have an idea for appetizers that are inexpensive, easy-enough but yet very tasty?
I am so tired of the normal crisps and dips etc etc
I entertain at least once a week and want to do something different for a change…

[Big Daddy's House]

Scallops wrapped in bacon and baked lightly?

[mcnerd]

I don't know about being inexpensive, but here's a different appetizer that is hot and spicy:

"Buffalo" Style - Stuffed Eggs

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 24 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Egg

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
12 Fresh Eggs
1/2 cup blue cheese -- crumbled
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon parsley -- minced
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
2 ribs celery -- finely diced

Hard cook eggs. Cool, shell, then cut in half to make 24 shells. Mash yellows and mix well all other Ingredients except diced celery. Spoon yellow mixture back into shells. Garnish with diced celery.

[Big Daddy's House]

Also, how about a fuit & cheese platter or a reduced-sodium deli platter?

Arange the sliced cold cuts & cheeses overlapping on a large platter and put out small roll and condiments. Your guests can make small mini sammys.

[Dough Boy]

There's always Atomic Buffalo Turds (ABT's), also known as Jalapeno Poppers done in the toaster oven or broiler,...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/BBQ/P1010786.jpg

or done in the smoker if you have something else smoking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/BBQ/P1010818.jpg

Put on some disposable gloves and take jalapenos and split them in half lengthwise, then remove the stem, seeds and veins. Mix up cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a bowl, then spoon it into the pepper half. Wrap the pepper with bacon and hold in place with a toothpick. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is running out of the pepper. Serve hot from the oven. The jalapeno loses a lot of its heat while baking, and is very flavorful.

[FuzzyB]

Nachos? Topped with guacamole, salsa and sour cream?

Samosas? Onion bhajis etc....

Mozarella, Avo and tomato slices?

Bruschetta?

They are the type of thins I do along with the crisps and stuff lol!

[Big Daddy's House]

Small stuffed mushrooms? Chunks of honeydew and cantalope wrapped with prociuto and placed on toothpicks?

[Love2Cook]

I'm so glad I joined this site! I have enough ideas for the rest of the year's Wednesday prayer group at my house. Excellent. Thanks all. And thanks too for the spicy ideas, although I am not a fan I can never get my man to enjoy the pre-meal snacks.
Fab. Thanks all.

[Big Daddy's House]

You're welcome!

While I'm at it, here's another one;

Get some of those mini franks (they look the size of baby carrots), bake them a little bit in the oven, then pour a little bit of BBQ sauce on them.

Present them to your guests on a platter with some toothpicks on the side so that they can use the toothpicks to pick them up and eat them at their leisure.

Also, you can do a veggie plater with some sticks of celeries, carrots and floretts of brocoli and cauliflower Put some Ranch dressing in a small bowl and place in the center of the platter To die for. Luscious!!

[FuzzyB]

You're welcome!

While I'm at it, here's another one;

Get some of those mini franks (they look the size of baby carrots), bake them a little bit in the oven, then pour a little bit of BBQ sauce on them.

Present them to your guests on a platter with some toothpicks on the side so that they can use the toothpicks to pick them up and eat them at their leisure.

Also, you can do a veggie plater with some sticks of celeries, carrots and floretts of brocoli and cauliflower Put some Ranch dressing in a small bowl and place in the center of the platter To die for. Luscious!!

Wow you are full of ideas! I know where to come when I get stuck hehe!

This place is great!

[Big Daddy's House]

Thanks you!

I just happened to think of those things off the top of my head.

And besides, two weekends ago, I was with a friend in Providence. We went to watch a NE Patriots game at a couple's house for the first time and they had a spread like you wouldn't believe!! A smorgasboard!!

Most of the things that I mentioned above were at the get-together, and everyone had a ball!! No one went hungry at all and there was a monster supply of food & drink! Appetisers plus entrees! They really outdid themselves!

[FuzzyB]

Thanks you!

I just happened to think of those things off the top of my head.

And besides, two weekends ago, I was with a friend in Providence. We went to watch a NE Patriots game at a couple's house for the first time and they had a spread like you wouldn't believe!! A smorgasboard!!

Most of the things that I mentioned above were at the get-together, and everyone had a ball!! No one went hungry at all and there was a monster supply of food & drink! Appetisers plus entrees! They really outdid themselves!

Wow that sounds awsome! I love going to places where they manage to get it right you know?

[Big Daddy's House]

Wow that sounds awsome! I love going to places where they manage to get it right you know?



Right!

Incidently, we've been invited back over for a weekend in December to attend a b'day party, and I'm looking forward to it! Great way to kick off the holiday season!!

[FuzzyB]

Wow sounds great! Eat some for me too lol

[Big Daddy's House]

I will!

[FuzzyB]

See you have an excuse to eat double now hehe!

[Semigourmet]

Good idea BD! I was going to suggest that, and the frozen Italian meatballs also baked then do the same thing, add some barbecue sauce and use toothpicks to serve.

Salsa Chili Queso. use a lg can of the nacho cheese sauce with jalapenos (I get the institutional size from Sam's Club) pour into a crock pot and add 1 to 2 cans chili without beans, and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup your favorite salsa; stir and let warm. We serve with either bread cubes or tortilla chips or both. With paper plates, a ladle in the cheese sauce, and plastic forks. usually goes pretty quickly. And is pretty filling.

[Big Daddy's House]

Good idea BD! I was going to suggest that, and the frozen Italian meatballs also baked then do the same thing, add some barbecue sauce and use toothpicks to serve.

Salsa Chili Queso. use a lg can of the nacho cheese sauce with jalapenos (I get the institutional size from Sam's Club) pour into a crock pot and add 1 to 2 cans chili without beans, and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup your favorite salsa; stir and let warm. We serve with either bread cubes or tortilla chips or both. With paper plates, a ladle in the cheese sauce, and plastic forks. usually goes pretty quickly. And is pretty filling.



Yep, there are lots of ways to do inexpensive appetisers. And you don't have to be filthy-rich or have a master degree in rocket science to do it!

[Semigourmet]

thankfully right?!! LOL just a little creativity! And people like us to give some suggestions

[Big Daddy's House]

That's right!

[cookingwithliz]

12 large figs
2 ounces goat cheese
2 ounces thinkly sliced prosciutto, cut into 12 strips
1-2 ounces balsamic vinegar
cooking spray


Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cut figs in half but not all the way through.

Stuff the figs with a small scoop of goat cheese.

Wrap stuffed fig with a strip of prosciutto, tucking ends of prosciutto under figs to secure the cheese.

Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Place figs on the baking sheet. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over each fig.

Bake figs for 8-10 minutes.

Serve figs warm.

[Big Daddy's House]

I forgot about THAT one!

[Curt Guillory]

I hope these help. Tomatoes Provencal (http://www.examiner.com/x-22955-Lafayette-Cooking-Examiner~y2009m10d20-Recipeside-dishtomatoes-provencal) Cajun Stuffed Bell Peppers (http://www.examiner.com/x-22955-Lafayette-Cooking-Examiner~y2009m10d22-RecipeCajun-stuffed-bell-peppers) Stuffed Mushrooms--Two ways (http://www.examiner.com/x-22955-Lafayette-Cooking-Examiner~y2009m10d19-Recipeparty-foodstuffed-mushrooms-two-ways) and Shrimp and Tasso Wontons (http://www.examiner.com/x-22955-Lafayette-Cooking-Examiner~y2009m10d10-Party-foodthe-best-shrimp-and-tasso-wontons)

[CreekCorner]

Easy affordable recipes can be found all over the net. These recipes in this thread look really good. I'm going to try some of these recipes this week. Thanks everyone

[Semigourmet]

tortilla pizzas, creat a bunch of different typs of pizzas on tortillas, either bake in the oven on a cake cooling rack laid over top of a baking sheet. oven about 400 until cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy and browned. then just cut into small sices and serve.

Pinwheels, flour tortilla, mayo or a mixture mayo, mustard or mustard ketchup etc. sliced cheese, sliced meat, THIN sliced tomato, VERY thin sliced onion and lettuce. Layer, roll poke toothpicks into the roll along the edge the tortilla about 1 inch apart and then slice between the toothpicks and arrange on a plate for serving.

[CreekCorner]

Many recipes I create are under $20 for a family size and I can squeeze a family size dinner under $10 without taking the taste away from the meal. Budget dinners and appetizers are what I try to share with everyone.

:):):) Enjoy

[HattoriHanzo]

Hi everyone
Does anyone have an idea for appetizers that are inexpensive, easy-enough but yet very tasty?
I am so tired of the normal crisps and dips etc etc
I entertain at least once a week and want to do something different for a change…

I have one that is one of my favorites..... Avocado Mayonnaise on the half shell.

3 to 4 Avocados
1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts
1 red onion finely chopped
2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
1 clove garlic crushed
pepper and salt to taste
chives
lemon juice


Neatly half the avocados and scoop out flesh into a bowl. Mash with onion, nuts , garlic, mayonnaise, pepper and salt and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or to taste. Replace the mixture back into the shell and sprinkle with chopped chives.
Also great with cooked prawns .....Sorry ! Shrimps :D

[cobichef]

Hi everyone
Does anyone have an idea for appetizers that are inexpensive, easy-enough but yet very tasty?
I am so tired of the normal crisps and dips etc etc
I entertain at least once a week and want to do something different for a change…


oh there are so many, when you use potatoes save the skins, for your starter roast the skins untill crisp and coat with slightly melted mature chedar untill almost covered, serve with tobasco sauce swish

[CreekCorner]

Yea this place is filled with easy to make recipes

[HattoriHanzo]

Yea this place is filled with easy to make recipes

Ain't that the truth!

[CreekCorner]

Here are some nice appetizer recipes. Enjoy :D

[simonaskitchen]

I can suggest u 'polenta'. ever tried? I've some suggestions on my blog, it's easy to be prepared and cheap! :-) greetings from Italy!

[Fish]

Hi everyone
Does anyone have an idea for appetizers that are inexpensive, easy-enough but yet very tasty?
I am so tired of the normal crisps and dips etc etc
I entertain at least once a week and want to do something different for a change…

I know what you mean it gets a bit boring eating chips n dips so iv tried to entertain with hot food as appose to cold snacks...

So if u have time to roast half an open pepper or portabello mushroom (both lush) filled with cream cheese (i love philadelphia with chives spread) this should be a delightful change, so however many guests you have you can always cut them into smaller bite size portions...easy as that...

I do have my own cooking blog if anyone was interested in stopping by...its only full of recipes and i would love feedback... YouAskTheCooks (http://www.youaskthecooks.com/category/snacks/) ENJOY!

[Semigourmet]

layered dip, with refried beans on the bottom of the plate, over that spread 8 ounces sour cream mixed with 1 packet taco seasoning, then top with shredded cheddar, then salsa, topped with green onions topped with diced tomatoes. voila, insta dip.

[LJS1942]

Ingredients
12 large jalapenos, cut end off, (reserve end) seed and de-vein **
1/2-3/4 pound of barbecue brisket, chopped fine (use your own or buy from your favorite barbecue restaurant)
2 teaspoons of favorite barbecue sauce
1/4 pound of cheddar cheese, grated fine
7 slices of bacon, uncooked

Directions
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare jalapenos: use rubber gloves to clean jalapenos. Make a slit on one side, starting at the stem end and cut down jalapeno to the tip of the jalapeno (not cutting all the way through) Then in one hand hold the ends between your thumb and forefinger and squeeze slightly to open up the slit. *Remove all the seeds and veins from the jalapenos.
• Make sure brisket is finely chopped, adding a small amount of barbecue sauce and the cheddar cheese, mixing together.
• Stuff the jalapenos with the mixture, closing the jalapeno together, wrapping with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick.
• Place the jalapenos on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy !!
• (These could also be cooked on a grill for 5 minutes on each side.)
Serve with Buttermilk Salad Dressing, Ranch Dressing, or your favorite dip
* When seeding and deveining jalapenos be sure you are in a very well ventilated area, open a kitchen window or go outside to do this. The fumes will get the best of you quickly. It is a good idea to wear disposable rubber gloves as well.
* If you do not want the jalapenos hot, place in a saucepan, cover with water and boil gently for about 5 minutes. Remove and drain the jalapenos, then continue with the recipe.

[tigerlilly]

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food/greenolivepoppers-closeup-650.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Appetizers_Dips_Snacks/cheddarchips-1.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Appetizers_Dips_Snacks/cheddarchips-3.jpg

[howtocooklamb]

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food/greenolivepoppers-closeup-650.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Appetizers_Dips_Snacks/cheddarchips-1.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Appetizers_Dips_Snacks/cheddarchips-3.jpg

care to share the recipes?

[Big Daddy's House]

And what are they called?

[tigerlilly]

2 of my concoctions. LOL

1 - Cream cheese, green olive and walnut poppers

Mold cold cream cheese around a stuffed green olive then roll in chopped walnuts. Allow to firm up in the fridge then cut in half.

2 - 3 Cheese and pepperoni chips.

Monterey Jack Cheese - shredded
Cheddar Cheese - shredded
Swiss Cheese - shredded
Pepperoni - diced into small cubes or slices

Place cheeses in bowl and mix well.
Line sheet pan with parchment paper or silicon mat and place mounds of cheese about 1 -2 inches apart.
Place pepperoni cubes or slices on top of cheese.
Bake in 350°F oven till cheese melts and turns slightly brown.
Remove from oven (while soft and hot you can mold into curls if you would like to make them look fancy) and slide parchment paper onto rack to cool.
Serve with pasta, salad or as a cheesy snack.

[Big Daddy's House]

Thanx!

[tigerlilly]

Thanx!

Welcome

[ryancooks]

Hi everyone
Does anyone have an idea for appetizers that are inexpensive, easy-enough but yet very tasty?
I am so tired of the normal crisps and dips etc etc
I entertain at least once a week and want to do something different for a change…

These are really great, fairly cheap to make, and simple!

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6156/6190373953_40f56e140f_o.jpg

Goat Cheese Wrapped Grapes Crusted with Pistachios

Yield: 20 poppers


Ingredients:

Red Grapes - 20

Goat Cheese – 2 cups

Pistachios, toasted and chopped – 1 cup



Method

Rinse and thoroughly dry grapes.
Roll 20 balls with the goat cheese similar in size to the grapes.
Press a grape into a goat cheese ball so that the goat cheese completely surrounds the grape. Re-roll to form a ball shape. Repeat this step with all grapes.
Roll the covered grapes in the chopped pistachios to coat. Serve immediately or cover and chill. Serve at room temperature.

[Timothy]

For those who have tried sushi and love it, and wish you could make nigirizushi at home, here is a cool and easy trick that is also, (on topic), a great way to serve delicious, healthy and inexpensive snack food or appetizers:

Sushi isn't all raw fish. It can literally be *anything*!

Use about one ounce of meat per/bite and:

Cut the meat so that it's about One inch wide by one and a half long.

Make one piece for each piece of ball sushi you want.

Prepare your sushi rice (http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f21/bento-boxes-70049-2.html#post1068082)

Wet your hands and make a ball of rice that is about the largest single bite you'd be comfortable eating in one bite.

Put the meat into the middle of a piece of plastic wrap about 6 inches square.

Then put that ball of rice right on top of the meat and fold the plastic wrap around the meat/rice combo.

The twist the ball until it presses the rice/meat into a nice firm ball.

Then unwrap it and it's ready to plate or eat.

Eat within 15 minutes of making it. The rice will get dry and nasty.

I've done this with many, many foods.

Rare steak (Best if frozen first and sliced very, very thin.)
Ham
lunch meats
meatloaf
cooked shrimp
turkey
cooked canned tuna
smoked salmon

You name it, I've probably tried it.

You can also put a few pieces of shredded veggies and/or cheeses on the meat first, then rice.

It's limited only to your imagination and appitite.

[JohnB]

it is super easy and quick!!!

Ingredients

Sauce:
•
¼ cup honey

•
¼ cup spicy brown mustard


Chicken:
•
1 ½ lb chicken breast tenders (about 16 pieces)

•
1 cup buttermilk

•
1 cup coarse crushed cornflakes

•
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs

•
1 tablespoons onion powder

•
2 teaspoons paprika

•
½ teaspoon dried thyme

•
½ teaspoon black pepper

•
1 tablespoon olive oil


Directions

1. To prepare sauce, combine honey and mustard in a small bowl; cover and chill.

2. To prepare chicken, combine chicken and buttermilk in a shallow dish, cover and chill for at least 15 minutes. Drain chicken and discard the liquid.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

4. Combine cornflakes and the next 5 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; add 4 chicken pieces to bag. Seal and shake to coat. Repeat procedure with remaining chicken. Spread oil evenly on a jelly-roll pan; arrange chicken in a single layer on pan.

5. Bake at 400 F for at least 5 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with sauce.

For pictures http://www.ezhealthyway.com/Oven-Baked%20Chicken%20Fingers%20with%20Honey-Mustard%20Dipping%20Sauce.html

Let me knoe if you like it!

[LoveThatFood]

So many great appetizer ideas here! I love all kinds of appetizers, but for quickie appetizers with flavor, I like to go with something like Tapenade with Baked Crostini:

http://www.lovethatfood.com/recipes/appetizers-&-snacks/tapenade.htm

1575

...or Cheese & Sausage Croissant Bites:

http://www.lovethatfood.com/recipes/appetizers-&-snacks/cheese-&-sausage-croissant-bites.htm

1577

[tigerlilly]

So many great appetizer ideas here! I love all kinds of appetizers, but for quickie appetizers with flavor, I like to go with something like Tapenade with Baked Crostini:

http://www.lovethatfood.com/recipes/appetizers-&-snacks/tapenade.htm

1575

...or Cheese & Sausage Croissant Bites:

http://www.lovethatfood.com/recipes/appetizers-&-snacks/cheese-&-sausage-croissant-bites.htm

1577

These look wonderful. The recipes sound yummy. Thank you

[LoveThatFood]

Thanks, tigerlilly! I inadvertently deleted my images, so here they are again:
1583
1584