Housewarming hors d'oeuvres?

[Meredith]

So I'm sitting here trying to make a shopping list for all the food I need to get for our housewarming party this Saturday.

And my list looks super lame.

Cheese and crackers, veggies for dipping, shrimp cocktail... we've all been to THAT party about a million times.

I was thinking of putting out a crockpot of meatballs or cocktail franks or something but I'm thinking it might be too messy.

I'm trying to steer clear of messy. I'm willing to bake/cook ahead of time that day but I'd love buy ready-made.

Any suggestions? Any favorites you have?

 

[threewingedfury]

Pigs in a blanket (maybe thats too redneck for you?) - I use crescent rolls and smokie sausauges with velvetta cheese dip

Chocolate cherry mice - these are so easy to make, and are so cute
http://homecooking.about.com/od/dessertrecipes/r/blcandy25.htm

 

[beanjelly]

As for store bought, it really depends on what stores you've got around to buy from. I know that a couple grocery stores around here have some really awesome pre-made stuff, but it really just depends.

If you're willing to cook/assemble a bit, these are always a big hit:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Yummy-Roll-Ups/Detail.aspx

They sound a bit weird, but they're delicious!!

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I buy appetizers from BJ's (maybe Costco has them too) like sesame chicken skewers, and the puff pastries with cheese and herbs in them. They have a pretty good variety if you want to go the super easy route .

 

[alli713]

I've always liked Taco dip, I don't know if that's too messy?
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,161,130181-255192,00.html

and you can put whatever toppings on it that you like

 

[Aneesa's Muse]

Stuffed mushrooms ..bite sized Quiche ...Shrimp Purses ....not sooo messy with a little napkin ..and not too hard to make (or find in the freezer section). In fact, if you have Safeway ..their brand of all three are pretty darn tasty and "fresh" ..or don't taste like the bag they came in

Some of the "tried and true" you mentioned are okay still, too... just lively them up a bit ..with a twist on the dips or presentations.

 

[Chinmama]

I'd go with cheese & crackers, shrimp cocktail, crockpot meatballs, veggies & dip, spinach and artichoke dip in bread bowl with bread cubes, a bowl of mixed nuts or pistachios and maybe a small dish of snack-em sized pickles.

These are good too:

Party Ham Rolls

1 stick butter
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. poppy seeds
cooked deli ham
Swiss cheese (or sometimes I use mexican mix)
2 packages Pepperidge Farm party rolls

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a sauce pan and stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds.
2. Take the rolls out of the bag and cut them so that you have a huge sandwich of connected rolls. Put the bottom half of the rolls in a pan or on a doubled sheet of aluminum foil and wait for the top half.
3. Take the ham and cheese slices and layer those on the bottom part of the rolls.
4. Take the top part of the rolls and put them back on top like a sandwich.
5. Brush the butter sauce on top of the party rolls.
6. At this point, the rolls look pretty much as they did when you first opened them. They are just sandwiched with the meat and cheese hidden in the middle and with the butter sauce spread on top.
7. Cover the party rolls with aluminum foil.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

*You can also pour the butter sauce over the ham and cheese before you put the top back on, or you can brush it on the bottom before putting the ham and cheese on. It's a personal preference really, you just have to figure out which way you like it better.

 

[Chinmama]

Okay, now I'm just hungry...

Hidden Valley Ranch Oyster Crackers

16 ounces plain oyster crackers
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup salad oil

Directions:

Combine Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix and oil in a small bowl. Add dill weed, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Pour over crackers; stir to coat. Place seasoned crackers in a warm oven for 15-20 minutes.

 

[Meredith]

Thanks for all the helpful ideas everybody! Keep them coming! I feel better about serving our guests now

 

[Tiatrack]

Chex muddy buddies (or whatever you call them) are a good snack food. The recipe is on the side of the box, but it is basically Chex with peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. I agree with people that said to look for pre-made appetizers like mini quiche and shrimp purses.

 

[addictedtochins]

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Search/Recipes/Appetizers

 

[Laurie]

I've always been on bacon wrapped water chestnuts or bacon wrapped pineapple chunks for parties. IMO you can never go wrong with spinach dip either and it's so easy to make!

 

[mapache315]

My boss always makes pepperoni bread (and then slices it for 1/2" slices) which is a hit. It's like a pizza rolled up. She flattens out some Pilsbuy pizza dough (in a can), and then rolls shredded cheese (for pizza, so mozzarella or a pizza mix or whatever you want) and pepperoni in it, bake until golden brown.


ETA: The meatballs made with grape jelly and chilli powder are the best!

 

[minrex]

These look delightfully fattening (and of course, tasty): http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/flashback_1981_-_holiday_bacon_appetizers/

 

[TillyChinchilla]

These look delightfully fattening (and of course, tasty): http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/flashback_1981_-_holiday_bacon_appetizers/

She has an awesome blog, I love her photography.

I'm the kind of person to find some decent hors d'oeuvres at a nice grocery store. :winkers:

 

[arf2184]

At work for catering events, one of the favorites is asparagus (cooked and cooled), cream cheese and deli meat (you pick, ham and/or turkey works nice) wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla (or whatever you prefer). Use two to three stalks of asparagus per tortilla. Slice to appetizer size and use toothpick to hold together. Serve cold...mmm!

If you like things a little hot, you could do jalepenos cut in half, scoop out the seeds (unless you really like it hot, then leave them) and fill with cream cheese. Wrap with bacon if you like (I don't like bacon at all). Pop into the oven for 5-10 minutes and serve. Simple and yummy (and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like peppers). My sister showed me how to make these, but its on the Pioneer Woman Cooks site too:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/

 

[Meredith]

These look delightfully fattening (and of course, tasty): http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/flashback_1981_-_holiday_bacon_appetizers/

Holy cow that recipe looks so awful it must be wonderful. I might just try it...

 

[addictedtochins]

If you like things a little hot, you could do jalepenos cut in half, scoop out the seeds (unless you really like it hot, then leave them) and fill with cream cheese. Wrap with bacon if you like (I don't like bacon at all). Pop into the oven for 5-10 minutes and serve. Simple and yummy (and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like peppers)

Stuffed Green (Chin)Chillies
I thought I'd share the way I make these. Get a large can of whole green chili's, I get mild. I don't know the size but it like takes both hands to pick it up. Split all the way up one side to open like a butterfly, they don't have to be perfect but some are really shredded up. The really shredded ones I dice up and add to the cream cheese mixture. In a med. bowl add 1 pack cream cheese, 1/3 cup mayo, 1/2 cup grated cheese (whatever melts), any type onion if you want, any spice you want, maybe chili pepper. Mix it up well then take maybe 2-3 TBS and put it down the length of 1 side of the green chili, flip the chili closed and roll it in bread crumbs. Fry it on both sides till brown, hot and yummy.