We're having a game night at our house Sat. night. A bunch of us get together and play board games. It may sound lame but it's a night without the kids (they're at the grandparents for the night), plus, you throw some drinks in and have people with a buzz trying to draw pictures playing pictionary, it's downright hysterical. Anyway, the reason for my post, anyone have a recipe for a good appetizer??

Stilton cheese with bits of candied lemon.

(Note: the cheese has the candied lemon studded within it. In other words, it's an appetizer that you buy, unwrap and set on a serving dish.)

I had some beer bread dip recently. remarkable.

How about a tortilla roll up:

Spread cream cheese, salso, shredded cheddar, sliced black olives and jalapenos (the pickled kind) on a flour tortilla, roll up and chill. Then slice into bite size pieces.

stilton cheese and granny smith apples.

sausage balls - sausage, cheese and bisquick all mixed together and baked... very good

Another easy one with a Mexican twist. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Spread cream cheese, salsa, Cheddar, olives, etc. and eat it like a dip with tortilla chips.

Velvetta melted slowly with diced Rotel tomatoes makes a really quick yummy nacho cheese dip. It's great for a simple appetizer/snack.

However, my absolute favorite appetizer is a Rachel Ray recipe for Garlic Shrimp..

12 shrimp (Jumbo sized, peeled, deveined, & tails intact)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves (crushed with the side of a knife)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon steak seasoning (Montreal Seasoning by McCormick is recommended)
1 teaspoon lemons, zest of
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)


Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and shrimp.
Season with grill seasoning or salt & pepper.
Cook shrimp 3 minutes or until just pink.
Toss with lemon zest, juice, & chopped parsley.
Remove shrimp to a serving platter, leaving the garlic cloves in the pan.

BOL Recipes Don't forget our own little recipe book.

Try these:

put some boneless skinless chicken breast into the freezer until it's almost frozen, then cut into bite sized pieces. Roll the chicken pieces in lemon pepper. Wrap each piece with thick cut bacon, usually one strip of bacon will do 2-3 pieces of chicken. Secure with a heavy duty toothpick and grill until the bacon is dark and crispy.

I promise you cant make enough. The guys like it because it's MEAT...the ladies love it because it's low carb.

Wow CF, I didn't know this even existed, thanks! Thanks to everyone else too for your suggestions.

Scoop out the contents of six small tomatoes (or enough to accommodate your group) fill with a mixture of shredded cheddar cheese (I judge the amount of cheese by how many tomatoes I'm using), a small can of Ortega green chili, and a teaspoon of cumin. Put them in the oven at 325 until the cheese is melted and top with sour cream.

I always liked a nice pan seared Fois Gras with a pear glaze as an appetizer

Roasted bulbs of garlic and goat cheese for a spread.

For the whole mixture. Cumin is pretty potent.

Bake potato wedges drizzled in butter and sprinkled with garlic salt. Not the most healthy food, but good. And the bonus . . . . your house will smell of garlic for days!!!

Another good potato dish that is quick. Slice the potatoes into wedges. Rub them down with Miracle Whip then sprinkle them with garlic salt or any spice you like and bake them until they are golden brown and cooked through.

The Miracle Whip is tangy and keeps the potatoes super moist. I'm getting hungry.

How about a cake to die for and so rich you can't make it that often:

Almond Joy Cake

1 pk Chocolate cake mix (with pudding)
1 cn Evaporated milk; large can
2 1/2 c Sugar
26 lg Marshmallows
1 pk Coconut; (14 oz.)
1/2 c Margarine
1 pk Chocolate chips; (12 oz.)
1 pk Slivered almonds; (3 1/2 oz.

Split cake mix in two 9 x 13 pans & bake chocolate cake according to directions on package.
In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 cup
sugar, when boiling add marshmallows and coconut. Heat until marshmallows are melted. Pour over hot cake.
In a saucepan, melt margarine, then add remaining 1 1/2
cups sugar and 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Bring to a boil;
add chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted. Then add Almonds or toast almonds and put on top last. Pour mixture over cake.

CAN'T GO WRONG WITH FINGER SANDWICHES!

Two words:

Beef Jerky