Tag: Appetizers

Easy Thai Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce Thai Wraps
Lettuce Thai Wraps
My daughter gave me her favorite recipe for lettuce wraps and I have to admit ,they are super easy and good. These make great appetizers or a good low calorie main meal. I like them served at room temperature.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast, finely chopped
  • 1 can water chestnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup Bangkok Padang Peanut Sauce
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, divided into leaves

Directions
Mix chicken, water chestnuts, peanuts, and green onions. Add enough peanut sauce to moisten chicken mixture to your liking. Serve with lettuce leaves.

Nani’s Favorite Cheese Ball

The Holidays are approaching and this is a great classic cheese ball recipe. Originally it was called Philly Cheese Bell. I believe it was Kraft that made a cold pack cheese and marketed it during the Christmas season in red containers shaped like a bell. The recipe came from Kraft. I can no longer find this brand of cold pack cheese, so I use whatever brand and flavor I can find. You can vary the taste by the flavor of cheese that you use. Smoked and bacon flavored work very well. This cheese ball is always a big hit and has a great consistency for spreading on crackers. I love rolling it in chili powder, but if your tastes lean towards non-spicy, it is very good rolled in nuts, too. Need chili powder? It’s available at [ad#Myspice Hyperlink]
Ingredients

  • 8 oz package cold pack cheese, softened
  • 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons margarine
  • 2 teaspoons chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons chopped green pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chili powder or 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions
Mix all ingredients well except the chili powder or nuts. Return to refrigerator for a couple of hours until cheese mixture becomes firm. Remove from refrigerator and shape into a ball. Pour chili powder or chopped nuts on a piece of wax paper and roll ball until it is covered. Serve with your favorite crackers.

Southwest Black Bean Dip

Black Beans
Black Beans
This is a great recipe for dipping tortilla chips. It is a nice change from salsa. It’s super easy, too. It will surely become a favorite recipe to make for your next get-together.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tblsp lime juice
  • 2 tsps olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen corn, thaw and drain if using frozen
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped

    • Directions
    Mix the lime juice, olive oil, cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt in bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss.

    Blue Cheese Spread Appetizer

    This is a really tasty cheese spread. It is the a great appetizer and is so easy to make. It has become one of my favorite recipes for entertaining ladies.

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
    • 2 ounces (1/2 cup) crumbled blue cheese, room temperature
    • 1 to 3 tbsp toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
    • 1 tbsp chives, chopped
    • 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
    • Sourdough or French bread, thinly sliced

    Directions
    Mix together the cream cheese, blue cheese, walnuts, chives and parsley. Do not over-mix. Serve with sliced bread.

    Best Ever Guacamole

    Guacamole
    Guacamole
    This is an easy and delicious recipe that my daughter made in Home Economics Class, back in the 90’s.

    • 2 large, ripe avocados
    • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion
    • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped chile serrano
    • 1 Medium tomato, coarsely chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/8 tsp black pepper
    1. Peel avocado and cut into chunks, remove seed.
    2. In a bowl, mash avocados with a fork until smooth.
    3. Add remaining ingredients.
    4. Mix thoroughly.
    5. Put one avocado seed in container and add a squeeze of lemon juice.
    6. Cover tightly.

    Nani’s Favorite Summer Salsa

    This is the salsa that I love to make at the end of the summer when the garden is overflowing with red, ripe tomatoes. I got this recipe from an ex-coworker’s husband. He used to make it for all of our potlucks.

    Salsa

    Mix together the following and let stand a minimum of 1 hour or up to a few days.

  • 4 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1-5 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and chopped
  • 1-2 onions, chopped
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

    • Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and Enjoy!

    Categories
    My Favorite Recipes

    Cucumber Salsa

    Recipe: Cucumber Salsa

    Summary: A cool salsa.

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium cucumbers cubed
    • 2 medium tomatoes cubed
    • 1 small to medium onion chopped
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar white distilled
    • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro finely chopped
    • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dill
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • Tabasco Sauce (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
    2. Season with Tabasco to taste.
    3. Chill.
    4. Serve with lime or guacamole tortilla chips for added flavor.

    Prep time (duration): 15 Minutes