Make easy, cheesy appetizers
Dear Betty,
We’re going to several holiday parties where I have to bring an appetizer. Any ideas?
Porterville, Calif.
Since you’ve got several parties to attend, I’m going to suggest an old appetizer favorite — a cheese ball — but with a new twist. Here’s why: you can make all the cheese balls you’ll need at the same — and ahead of—time. Then freeze them. Plus, a cheese ball is flavorful, festive and easy to serve with a creative assortment of crisp breads, crackers or sliced baguettes.
Now here’s the new twist: Make your cheese ball in special shapes from a snowman to a pear to a pinecone. On my Web site, you’ll find a recipe for transforming one cheese ball into great holiday shapes. You can make the cheese-ball mixture from scratch or buy it in the dairy case or deli. Once you have a cheese-ball mixture to work with, here’s how to shape and decorate it to create a whimsical, good-to-the-last-bite party appetizer:
— Snowman. Shape the mixture into two balls, one larger than the other. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate them until firm, about four hours. With the smaller ball as the head, arrange your “snowman” on a holiday serving plate. Decorate using a baby carrot for the nose, raisins for the eyes and buttons, pretzel sticks for the arms, red bell pepper strips for the mouth and scarf—and fresh cranberries and bay leaves for a holly crown.
— Pinecone. Shape the mixture into an egg shape. Place the larger end down on a serving plate. Press the rounded ends of about 2 cups of sliced almonds into the ball. (Toasting makes the almonds extra tasty!) Sprinkle with crushed dark rye crackers, then wrap and chill. When ready to serve, garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary.
— Pear. Shape the mixture into a pear shape. Place the pear upright in a shallow bowl. Insert a piece of whole cinnamon stick for a stem, then spoon whole-berry cranberry sauce or chutney over the cheese pear. Cover and chill before serving.
Cheesy
Reuben Appetizer
If you’re a Reuben sandwich fan, you’ll love these easy-to-make appetizers.
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (6 ounces)
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
4 ounces deli sliced corned beef, chopped
1/2 cup well-drained sauerkraut
Pretzel crackers, if desired
Cocktail rye bread slices, if desired
Chopped fresh chives, if desired
Sliced radishes, if desired
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix cream cheese, 1 cup of the Swiss cheese, the dressing and corned beef. Spread in pie plate, 9×1-1/4 inches, or quiche dish, 9×1 1/2 inches. Top with sauerkraut and remaining 1/2 cup Swiss cheese. (Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours if desired.)
Bake about 15 minutes or until bubbly around edge. Serve hot with pretzel crackers or cocktail bread. Garnish with chives and radishes.
Makes 20 servings, 2 tablespoons each.
Variation: Create Cheesy Rachel Appetizer by using 4 ounces deli sliced turkey, chopped, instead of the corned beef.