Appetizers for summer party

[doe1260]

Hi all -
We're hosting an after work party. Menu (as it stands today) is:
- ribs
- Burgers
- Sausages (sweet and hot)
- Baked Beans
- Cole slaw
- buffalo Chicken dip
- Layered Taco dip
- Veggie platter
- Cheese platter

Deserts will be whatever guests bring....

I'd like a unique appetizer that's easy and good... I always make the taco dip and buffalo chicken (folks expect it), but I'd like something new.

Any good ideas?
thanks so much!

[SierraCook]

Here is a great recipe originally posted by jkath. It is one of my favorites.

Jack Daniels Kielbasa

1 kielbasa (the real stuff, no turkey, no light....)

Boil in water 20 minutes to get the fat out. Dry on paper towels & cool. Cut into large-ish bite sized pieces.

In a pan, stir 3/4 cup ketchup, 3/4 cup light brown sugar & 1/2 cup Jack Daniels. Cook on low to med-low. When it's bubbly, add kielbasa. Cook, stirring about every minute or two for at least 45 minutes. (You don't want to scorch it) so it cooks down to a nice saucy consistency.

These are great appetizers. However, they are just as good if you make it the day before, keep in the fridge & then heat & serve.

[Barb L.]

Slices of cantaloupe and watermelon would be refreshing, hence - fruit platter.

[obiwan9962]

an extention of barbL's suggestion:

slices of various melons: cantaloupe, honeydew, juan canary, crenshaw, etc.... wrapped in prosciutto or spanish ham or even black forest ham
serve with wedges of lime

[obiwan9962]

asparagus marinated in olive oil, lemon zest and mint
grilled then chilled
and finally wrap two or three with smoked salmon

[obiwan9962]

cut figs in half and stuff with either sweetened ricotta or gorgonzola (per your preference)and top with a toasted hazelnut

[*amy*]

Originally Posted by doe1260

Menu (as it stands today) is:
- ribs
- Burgers
- Sausages (sweet and hot)
- Baked Beans
- Cole slaw
- buffalo Chicken dip
- Layered Taco dip
- Veggie platter
- Cheese platter

Hi doe. Looking at your menu so far, I might include a big green salad (as a starter), potato salad or cold macaroni salad & keep the appys simple for this menu -- also, because, you already have two dips. Just my opinion.

Big Green Salad
(include any ingredients you like)
i.e. mixed greens, mandarin oranges, black olives, slices of red onion rings etc.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Deviled eggs

A different take on deviled eggs - Prepare hard-boiled eggs, cut in halves, scoop out the inside (yellow/yoke), and save for another use. Fill egg halves with guacamole

Stuffed mushrooms

Hot (chicken) wings

Loaded Baked Potato Skins
(cooked crumbled bacon, melted cheddar cheese, sour cream & chives)

Fried Mozzarella Sticks
w Marinara Dipping Sauce

Shrimp or crab cocktail

Coconut Shrimp

Bruschetta

Watermelon Feta Salad

Chunks of watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, sliced black olives, sliced red onion rings, with evoo drizzled over the top. Add fresh mint if you like.

Pear halves stuffed w cream cheese and chopped walnuts

Cherry tomatoes stuffed with herbed cream cheese

Fruit kebobs
(Honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green grapes, sliced kiwis)

[love2"Q"]

hard to go wrong with grilled quesadillias ...

[doe1260]

All great ideas! Since my schedule this week is starting to look "nasty", I think we'll add the "big green salad" suggestion, and likely some fruit.

THANKS SO MUCH!

[middie]

Another dip you could try...

A can of black beans, drained and rinsed
A can of corn, or you can scrape it off the cob
A can of diced tomatoes, drained
A bunch of chooped cilantro
Some salt (though I omit it) and some pepper

That's it. Easy and yummy. I eat it with some
tortilla chips.