Easy Appetizers

Almond Joy – a big food wrapped up in a small package!

Almonds are a excellent food all packaged up in it’s little brown coating. It not only packs a wallop when it comes to nourishment, but they add flavor to all kinds of easy appetizer recipes. The next few paragraphs will explore some of the uses of almonds – their nutritional worth as well as some interesting facts that I bet you never learned about the little brown packages.

While most doctors wouldn’t recommend eating nuts as a snack for those that have high cholesterol – due to their high fat content – many studies have been done that show that eating almonds actually lowers your cholesterol.

For example, a study was done using volunteers that had a history of high cholesterol. The end result was that this group eating almonds actually showed significant reductions within their LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). So, in line with these findings, whole almonds eaten in moderation can decreasing cholesterol.

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Lordy, Lordy! It’s been way too long since I’ve contributed to this little ol’ blog… life gets busy and mine could get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the busiest… or so it feels like.

But we can’t stop eating good food just because we’re all busier than God! Try this delicious and satisfying Acorn Squash Soup. Serve it up for the holidays or just because it sounds like good comfort food.

Make it a whole meal or serve it in tiny cups to whet the appetite. However you do it, do it NOW! It’s a great time of year for it. Enjoy!

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That day of Independence that means just a little bit more than just BBQs and picnics is in a couple of days. I love 4th of July. I love the sunny days and the sparkly fireworks and the great food. But this year, I’m giving a little more thought to what it means.

We live in a FREE country. Most of the time, we don’t give that a second thought. But, when you stop to think about all the things we take for granted that some countries aren’t allowed to do. Like vote. Like speak our minds freely. Like having as many or as few children as we choose. Wow. Can you imagine any of those things taken away from you? I can’t.

When I watch the fireworks on July 4th, I’m going to be celebrating the freedoms we have. Thank you Founding Fathers. Thank you for your courage and your foresight. Let us always remember that freedom is a right, but it’s also a priviledge.

Happy July 4th. Happy Independence Day. And have some delicous simple appetizers to help celebrate! Visit our July 4th Appetizers page.

For more great easy appetizer recipes, check out our Holiday Appetizers page.

Those cute little stuffed cherry tomatoes are so cheerful looking. But best of all, they are delicious, adding a nice touch to your repertoire of simple appetizers. Even if you think you don’t like tomatoes, I bet you’ll change your mind just a little if you tried this easy recipe. These cherry tomatoes are tiny, and stuffed with great flavor. Basically, the tomato acts like a little holder or a cup. And, they present nicely. Try it, you tomato-haters might change your mind!

What you’ll need:
- 48 cherry tomatoes
- Salt
- 1/2 lb sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 3 oz. cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp cognac or other good brandy
- 2 oz. pimiento stuffed green olives(chopped)
- Tobasco sauce
- 1/2 cup parsley (minced)

What to do:
First, cut a thin slice from the stem end of each tomato and scoop out center pulp. Yes, it’s a bit labor-intensive and you are wondering where is the “easy” part of this appetizer recipe? Well, what’s easy about it, is the eating part. REAL easy.

Next, sprinkle inside with salt and invert the tomatoes on a paper towel for 10 or 15 minutes. Combine the cheeses and cognac. Blend until smooth and then add olives and 2 or 3 dashes of Tobasco sauce. Fill the drained tomatoes with the cheese mixture, sprinkle with parsley and serve it up!

Serve this easy appetizer on your favorite party platter. Enjoy!

By now you know I love Spanish food and yes, their cheese is to die for. Manchego cheese is my favorite and as it happens, La Tienda, my favorite Spanish food place online is having a half-off sale on Manchego.

Here’s what La Tienda says about their offering:

Villajos Reserva is an authentic hand-made, raw sheep’s milk cheese. The aged Manchego has a full rich flavor with a healthy sharpness. Slice and serve with olives and sliced Serrano ham for the authentic flavor of Spain. Packed in a wooden box, it would make a superb gift. Read more here.

What is Manchego and what makes it so delicious? It’s a raw sheep’s milk cheese. It’s natural sharpness is a perfect match for the sweet flavor of Membrillo and a perfect way to end a great meal.

One of the things I love about this cheese is how good it tastes with other flavors married to it. For example, Manchego is used as a dessert when paired with a favorite Spanish jelly called Membrillo quince. I have to say, this is my favorite way to eat this cheese.

But Manchego also works well with the tart goodness of Jamon Serrano ham. This combination makes for an excellent addition to your Tapas servings.

However you decide to use Manchego cheese, you’ll enjoy it. It’s a flavor that takes you instantly to Spain. Find out more at La Tienda.com.

Warm weather is here. Get out the shorts and outdoor dinnerware! Uncover the pool and get the suntan lotion out.

Summertime to me means, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and GREAT food! Get stocked up on some great summertime appetizers that are fun to make and fun to serve. Your guests, friends, and family will love you for it and think you are “Da bomb”!

Here are some ideas to get started. Enjoy the warm weather and the freedom that summer brings and where sunscreen!

Veggie Tarts – These mini muffin-size appetizer tarts are the perfect party food. Refrigerated Crescent roll dough makes it easy to create a finger food that even kids will like.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Perfect for a BBQ party! Adding a dash of cayenne gets the mouth watering for these crispy, crunchy chickpeas.

Smoked Salmon Spread in Sourdough Bowl – These easy party appetizers are quick to make and low-fat, too. The cream cheese and salmon mixture is presented in a bread bowl for an extra festive look

Roast Beef Crostini with Horseradish Cream - Spicy horseradish gives these warm appetizers a hearty kick. The combination of warm French bread toast and cool roast beef creates a party food that complements any gathering.

Mushroom Caponata on Bagel Crisps – This caponata appetizer recipe blends eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions for to create vegetarian party food that everyone will enjoy.

For more great ideas for party planning and delicious easy appetizers, visit our Simple Appetizer Recipes page.

Well, the Mexican Holiday of Cinco de Mayo is here and I have some really great appetizers for you to choose from if you are planning a party or celebration. Here’s a little Cinco de Mayo history…

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.

So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862. To continue reading about Cinco de Mayo history, click here. Otherwise, take a look at the list below of great appetizers for this well loved holiday.

7-Layer Guacamole Dip
Baked Tortilla Chips
Black Bean Cheese Dip
Chiles con Caso Dip
Chipotle Salsa
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Corn Tortilla Chips

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Well, I always wondered how to make Chili’s Awesome Blossom fried onion. Now I know. I found this really cool ebook called Secret Restaurant Recipes that has all the recipes of some of the famous foods we love to eat when we go out.

The company that put this ebook together is so smart! You can download it here and make Applebee’s Chardonnay Mushrooms for a side dish tonight!

Or maybe you’d rather make the Cheesecake Factory’s Bang-Bang Chicken & Shrimp!

There’s always Chipotle Grill’s Cilantro-Lime Rice… YUM! Whatever your favorites are, you’re sure to find them here in the Secret Restaurant Recipes ebook. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!

Why it’s taken me so long to get a blog up about one of my favorite things in life, I’ll never know. Easy appetizers… how I love them. I could eat every meal as just appetizers. There’s something so delicious and fun about eating food wrapped up like little packages. It’s a gift ready for the unwrapping and devouring…

So, my aim here, on this blog all about simple and easy appetizers, is to share with you dear reader, some of my favorite appetizers, interesting food history and ways to make parties more fun. You’ll find appetizer recipes for every occasion, gathering, party and holiday. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to comment…

In the meantime, while I get my thoughts in order and start posting more… visit my website at Easy Appetizer Recipes. It’s fun and full of great ideas for your next gathering.

Happy munching!

BusyMOM