Does anyone have any inexpensive appetizers they could share?

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

My DIL and I are throwing the oldest a surprise birthday party. I was going through my favorite appetizers and realize that they're all on the very spendy size. In these hard economic times I would like to try to keep at least some costs down, but I just can't find much in my files that qualify.

Any you could share?

[Tab]

1. You can never go wrong with cheese and crackers

I like Triscuits and cheddar cheese.

Assuming you want to be more inventive than that...

Try serving pita bread (or naan, if you can buy it) with hummus - if you can't make it yourself (I have tried, and succeeded, but it was hell on my blender) you can get either Cedar's or Tribes (I think it is) - I like the 40 spice, and the horseradish (seriously), but red pepper is always a crowd pleaser. Heat (microwave 20 seconds or whatever) the pita, serve with the hummus - people rip off a corner, dip and eat - yummy.

I'm in a low-budget food mode myself right now.

I'll see if I can think of some others as the day goes on.

[cbayer]

2. Are they teenagers or older children?

They love cocktail wienies wrapped in crescent roll dough, melted velveeta cheese with rotel tomatoes and tortilla chips, cream cheese smothered in pickapeppa with chips, sliders (little frozen hamburgers from white castle), chicken wings, cut up veggies with ranch dressing. All cheap.

:hi:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

6. I'll love you forever.

My boys are in their mid thirties.

[cbayer]

20. Oh, grownups!

I had this tapas party last year using the Fine Cooking site.:

http://finecooking.com/menus/tapas-party.aspx

And this is my absolute favorite appetizer of all time:

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/rustic-beefsteak-tomato-tart.aspx

Trader Joe's has great dips, cheese trays, etc.

Sounds like fun!

:hi:

[Lucinda]

3. The rotel dip that cbayer mentioned is always popular, and goes a looong way

Antipasto platters with olives and cheese and some thin salami from the deli could be pretty economical.

Little mini pizzas would also be economical (you can make the dough or buy a little from a local pizza parlor)

Is it a small or large gathering? Casual or formal?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. Buy a large chuck roast on sale. Throw it in the crockpot with a bottle of BBQ sauce

when it is done, shred it up and serve it still in the crock to keep it warm with little mini buns to make "slider" type BBQ sandwiches. It's actually incredibly economical to do this and you get a lot of milage for not much output. Plus, who doesn't like BBQ?

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

7. That sounds interesting.

I don't have a crockpot, but I'm sure I can borrow one.

Thanks.

[Lucinda]

8. And the inexpensive roasts with some marbling are actually best for the crock pot!

[NMDemDist2]

5. this is as cheap as can be and tasty as all get out

sliced bread
parmesan cheese (shaker can is fine)
mayo
green onions chopped fine

mix cheese, mayo and green onion until well blended, smear on bread, cut bread into bite size squares and broil until lightly browned and bubbly

i'm thinking it's about 50/50 cheese to mayo, go easy on the green onion

cheap and addictive, I swear

:hi:


edit to add, you could use swiss too I suppose..... and I can't remember if you cut them before or after, but I'm thinking after now that I think about it.

I haven't made these in years, I really need to ...... :rofl:

[Arkansas Granny]

10. I'll bet that would be great on some party rye bread.

[NMDemDist2]

12. yup n/t

[wildeyed]

13. Off topic, but your new screen name is freaking me out.

That is all. :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

14. is it the screen name or the avatar??

:rofl:

[wildeyed]

15. What is up with that birdie?

No, screen name change week at DU always makes me feel ungrounded until I figure out who everyone is again. I noticed that Stinky is really Stinky now, too. :crazy:

[NMDemDist2]

17. I dunno, but whatever is coming through those headphones

is messing with it's mind :rofl:

yeah, Stinky was all over it too

and Crisco switched too....

the whole cast of characters here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=236&topic_id=53578&mesg_id=53578

[wildeyed]

18. Birdie looks like he is having a stroke.

Glad I saw that thread. You and Stinky I could have guessed, but I would not have known who Crisco was. Like I said, name change week is disconcerting.....

[troubleinwinter]

24. I dunno, either.

I just want to say that I offer my very sincere wishes for the speedy recovery of your avatar.

[NMDemDist2]

25. but ya gotta admit

there's no other like in on DU

:rofl:

[troubleinwinter]

26. Well, yes, we can be grateful that at least it doesn't seem to be contageous.

[grasswire]

30. the name for these is "hasty hots"...

...and they originated in the Sunset magazine several decades ago. They are more delicious than a person can imagine. Mmmm...the aroma!

The original recipe uses grated parmesan cheese, and I think that's the best to use. Rye bread, too, although I have used every kind of bread.

Some people toast one side of the bread, then flip it over and spread it, then broil again until bubbly. That makes a crispier bite.

Mmmm. Hasty hots!

[NMDemDist2]

35. that's RIGHT!!!! I knew it was 'something hots' but couldn't remember

and they are so darned good I may have to buy a can of Parmesan just to make those things

:bounce:

edit to add "real" recipe

Hasty Hots
4 green onions, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
6 to 8 tablespoons mayonnaise
24 slices cocktail-size rye bread OR baguette slices
In a small bowl, stir together onions, cheese and 6 tablespoons of the mayonnaise until well blended. If needed, add more mayonnaise to give mixture a firm spreading consistency.
Place bread in single layer on a baking sheet; broil 4 to 6-inches below heat source until golden brown.
Turn slices over and spread with cheese mixture.
Return to oven and roil until bubbly and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
Makes 2 dozen appetizers.

[yellowdogintexas]

45. you can use mozarella too. I use shredded mozarella, mayo and butter, with green onion

mix it all up in the processor or mixer

it is really good.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. One that we like is to mix together an 8 oz. pkg. of softened cream cheese, a jar

of dried beef that has been finely chopped and a few sliced green onions. Season to taste with cracked black pepper. You can use it on crackers or party rye. You can also add a little sour cream to this, spread it on flour tortillas, roll them up, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, then cut them in half inch slices. This looks really good on spinach or tomato tortillas and they have been really popular when we have served them.

[wildeyed]

11. Hummus dip with veggies and pita triangles.

Both kids and adults usually like it, and what could be cheaper than a pot of chickpeas with some olive oil, garlic and lemon juice?

[sandnsea]

16. There's always deviled eggs

Cheap biscuit pizzas. A quesadilla type snack. If you can find salmon and cream cheese on sale, salmon logs are great. Canelloni beans make a great base to dips or sandwich spread.

[hippywife]

19. A few suggestions of things I used to make

Please remember, these are the things I used to make before I stopped eating lots of processed foods. I make no recommendation for anything except for the fact they all taste very good and, as simple as they are, receive raves from people.

Italian Sloppy Joes: Get some bulk Italian sausage, the really good tasting kind with fennel and everything(sorry, I'm gun shy on the stuff since moving South.) If you can't get it in bulk, get it in links about two or so pounds each of sweet and of hot, and squeeze it out of the skins into a skillet. Brown it and pour it, grease and all, into a crock pot and stir in your favorite tomato sauce. I used to use a large jar of plain ole regular Ragu for this because you'll never know that's what it is after it's done. Let the sausage simmer in the sauce for about three hours. Serve with little Italian rolls and parmesan cheese (green can is fine for this) to top the meat on the bun.

Crabbies: Hours ahead of time, mix a small jar of Kraft Old English Cheese, 1/2 a stick of butter (softened), 2 T. of mayo (Miracle Whip CANNOT be subbed due to flavor differences), granulated or garlic powder to taste, and a can of white lump crab meat. Spread on English muffin halves. Cut each half into quarters and freeze, covered, on a cookie sheet. (Please don't skip the freezing step...it's very important) Just before serving pop into the broiler until bubbly and a little browned. (If you didn't freeze it, the stuff just runs off the muffins all over the pan.) Serve immediately.

Bars of cream cheese with mild jalapeno jelly and crackers. Or bars of cream cheese spread evenly onto plates and topped with cocktail sauce and sprinkled liberally with canned crab meat. Serve with crackers.

The old Knorr's spinach dip (see the back of the Knorr's Vegetable Soup packet.)

Pillsbury crescent rolls stuffed with pepperoni and shredded Italian cheeses and baked. No sauce or they stay mushy inside. You can serve sauce on the side for dipping but they really don't need it.

Now I would serve something along the lines of a lovely black bean/corn salsa with corn tortilla chips. Also a nice homemade guacamole and/or some avocado tomatillo salsa. Still cheap and also healthy.

Have fun! And I hope it really surprises him! :hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

21. AwakeAtLast's scrumptious taco pinwheels

16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 C mayo
1 package taco seasoning
1 small can black olives, chopped fine
1 small can chopped green chilies
1 small jar chopped pimientos
1 package soft taco or burrito size tortillas

Mix first six ingredients in a bowl. Spread onto tortillas, roll up, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

When ready to serve, slice into 2" pieces. Serve with salsa.

This recipe can be done with HVR dressing mix and onions, olives and roasted red pepper for a different flavor. The taco version is always the bigger hit, though.

:hi:

[Phentex]

27. I was thinking pinwheels too...

so many variations and they go a long way. Yours would work well with the cheese dip someone mentioned, too.

[sandnsea]

22. Delicious chicken salad wraps

2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (1 1/2 pounds)
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, divided
1 cup black grapes, cut in 1/2
1/2 cup celery
diced apple if desired
1/2 cup pecan halves and/or
1/2 cup walnuts halves


Grill the chicken breasts in the oven with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cool and dice.

Mix remaining incredients, tarragon to taste which makes the dish.

Use butter leaf lettuce for crunch, serve in wraps, on croissants or whatever strikes you.

This makes quite a bit. Great if you can find the breasts on sale.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

23. Deviled Eggs

You want appetizers, right? Something light leading into a regular meal?

I fix deviled eggs with mayo, minced crisp bacon, minced chutney, all mixed with the yolks and repacked.

They're sweet and crunchy and salty all at the same time. Everyone loves them.

[Phentex]

28. Good one!

People always love these. Mmmmm...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

41. I bought 2-1/2 dozen AA Large Eggs today -

on sale at Harris Teeter for $2.39 - just to make those deviled eggs. I made myself hungry remembering them. They are terrific!

Look what I just found - http://deviledeggs.com/

There appears to be a whole Deviled Egg world out there!!

[yellowdogintexas]

46. there are as many ways to make deviled eggs as there are to make potato salad

and every good Southern woman has at least one deviled egg platter. I love the damn things.

I put curry powder, minced up dill pickles, mayo and spicy mustard in mine.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

50. One of the first wedding gifts we got

was a deviled egg platter, and, really, IT WORKS!!!

Your recipe is one I've tried, and it's really, really good. I'm not sure there's a bad deviled egg recipe out there.

My Sunday cooking is ribs, cole slaw, and deviled eggs. Others are bringing stuff, but I don't know what. Should be interesting........

[Phentex]

53. I have two kinds and I'm not ashamed!...

I have the one you show which looks great on a table, and then I got a Tupperware portable version years and years ago. I still use them both. :)

[catnhatnh]

29. Deviled Ham....

Any old hunk of ham...say about a pound, cream cheese and mayo to adjust consistency. Add spices...a lot-Chili powder, cayenne, cumin, a touch of worchester and maybe a dollop of prepared mustard...whip it up in the food processor. Goes a looooong way with crackers. Nice with assorted cheese slices too.

[grasswire]

31. apple kabobs with yogurt dip...

....might be a refreshing counterpoint to the other stuff. Get several different colors of apples, cube them and toss with a bit of lemon juice to keep from turning brown, and skewer a few on each toothpick. A curry dip would be good.

[grasswire]

32. do you have a fondue pot?

I have a recipe somewhere for a tomato soup cheese fondue that is really really good. Chunks of day-old bread are pretty cheap.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

33. I've got a fondue pot around here somewhere.

I didn't think about fondue because the recipe I have - very similar to Tab's - uses about $20 worth of cheese.

[NMDemDist2]

36. you are totally missing the hidden gem in this thread

Hasty Hots are the schnitzel

I kid you not!!!

and don't bother with fresh Parmesan, canned works fine :hi:


Hasty Hots
4 green onions, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
6 to 8 tablespoons mayonnaise
24 slices cocktail-size rye bread OR baguette slices
In a small bowl, stir together onions, cheese and 6 tablespoons of the mayonnaise until well blended. If needed, add more mayonnaise to give mixture a firm spreading consistency.
Place bread in single layer on a baking sheet; broil 4 to 6-inches below heat source until golden brown.
Turn slices over and spread with cheese mixture.
Return to oven and broil until bubbly and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
Makes 2 dozen appetizers.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

37. Those look great.

Canned Parmesan? I think stinky would have a meltdown and I've never bought canned Parmesan in my life. :hide:

[NMDemDist2]

38. girl, I'd be making em right now but I'm not gonna waste my good Romano

I'm gonna go buy a can of Parm just for these lil suckers

and that way it stays in your 'cheap' theme

:evilgrin:

And I'll get Skittles to kick Stinky's ass if he says a word

:rofl:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

39. You promise?

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

40. When has Skittles ever turned down an ass kicking opportunity?

seriously.

:evilgrin:

[Mind_your_head]

34. Bacon Bites from King Arthur Flour recipes

I haven't tried this one myself YET, but they sound awesome and the reviews are GREAT! These sound akin to Scallops wrapped in bacon without the pricey scallops!

<snip>
Bacon Bites

These little savory gems are simple to put together in advance, can go directly from the freezer into the oven, and combine three of the most irresistible snack foods on earth: bread, cheese, and bacon. You can vary the filling in any number of ways (see our tips, below). Make sure you let the bites sit for 5 minutes before serving; the cream cheese gets mighty hot, and you don't want to burn anyone's mouth.

Ingredients:

12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup roasted red pepper, diced
3/4 cup scallions, sliced, white and green
20 slices soft white bread
1 pound lean bacon

1. Mix together the cheeses until smooth. Stir in the peppers and scallions until evenly distributed; set aside

2. Trim the crusts from the slices of bread.

3. Once the bread is trimmed, spread the slices with the filling, covering it completely.

4. Roll the bread up from the short side, pressing down just enough to make it stick to itself.

5. Wrap a slice of bacon and wrap it around the roll, overlapping the bacon to cover the bread completely. If you need more than one bacon slice, tuck the end of the second bacon slice under the end of the first. Trim the bacon when you get to the top of the roll.

6. Freeze the wrapped rolls for 30 minutes to firm them up.

7. To bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line it with parchment paper.

8. Slice the rolls in thirds and place on the baking sheet, cut side down. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (5 minutes longer if baking from frozen), until the bacon is crisp and the tops are golden brown.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/RecipeDisplay?RID=184

-------------------

Make sure you read the reviews at the end of the link. There is some good info there if you should consider making this as one of your appetizers! Good luck with your party! :hi:

edit to add: I agree with hippywife upthread. Knorr Spinach Dip. I made this for an appetizer on Christmas Eve and EVERYONE was saying, "I haven't had this in AGES"....it was 'comfort food' ~ everyone appreciated it. If your crowd is 30-something's they would probably appreciate some comfort food.

[Dora]

42. Ham spread.

I buy the 3-packs of ham steaks at costco, and the three steaks give us six meals. I made ham salad from half of one this weekend - easy, cheap, and fast if you have a food processor.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

43. ***********Thanks all. I got some great ideas. *******************

:hug:

[cbayer]

47. OK, then. What's on the menu?

:shrug:

[yellowdogintexas]

48. Bisquick Sausage Balls (and another use for the mini ice cream scoop)

SAUSAGE BALLS

1 lb. hot sausage
1 lb. mild sausage
12 oz. sharp cheese (softened)
12 oz. mellow cheese (softened) (this would be like Colby)
4 cups Bisquick

this doesn't specify but I would grate the cheese then let it come to room temp. It combines better with the other stuff.

Mix all ingredients. Roll into small balls. Place on cookie sheets.

Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes, or until done (depends upon the size).

Best served warm.

[grasswire]

51. I remember another Bisquick thingy...

...we called them "little puff goodies" for lack of a better name. It was a dough made of Bisquick, some milk, melted butter and grated cheese. A thumb of this dough was pressed around a green olive or a slice of vienna sausage or some other treat, to make a bite-sized ball. Then the ball was sprinkled with some kind of seed -- poppy or sesame or whatever. Bake in the oven until golden brown.

Pretty good, actually.

[DUgosh]

44. Large bowls of air popped popcorn

Spray with butter flavored cooking spray while still hot, then dust with butter flavor popcorn salt. :popcorn:

[The empressof all]

49. Do some Brushetta

Slice a baguette and grill the bread then I top it with a little pesto spread. Pesto mixed with butter and cream cheese. Top with a little chopped tomato or some parm and stick it in the broiler. Instead of using pesto you can also mix cream cheese with salsa and use that for a Mexican spread. Top with cheddar and olives.

You can grill the bread in advance and just top and stick in the oven to warm when guests arrive.

[Highway61]

52. gonna love this

Spread 8 oz cream cheese evenly on bottom of glass baking dish (nine inch)
spread over that (don't laugh) 1 can Hormel chili (no beans)
finally sprinkle greated chedder cheese over the top. Bake at 350 till cheese is melted about 10 -12 minutes. Sever with tortilla chips and lots of napkins. Yum