I am currently either helping create a few menu's for some holiday parties, or, making a few on my own. There are a few Hors d'oeurves that I almost always have ready for a last minute party, or, that I can make in a pinch and look like it took all day. So, today's Meet Free will be less about one singular recipe and more about my must have party foods!
Pre-made
Let's start with the easiest: I always, always, always make some type of pre-made, break and bake type foods. They are wonderfully easy and can be stocked up for last minute use. The best part is that I have recently found out most people think these too are homemade. My favorite frozen treats for parties are Feta and caramelized onion puffs from Fresh Market. I have yet to make them where there are any left over. No, they are not healthy; they are pastry, onion, and cheese... But that is ok, we are not having them every night and we will try not to eat more than five.
Next up are mini quiche. Everyone likes mini quiche- they are bite size and easy and yummy- the end. Mini quiche usually only take 20 minutes to heat up too. Seriously, what is not to love?!
Third, and finally, for frozen appetizers are any type of bite size quick food. I will usually go for feta turn overs made with folio. They are great as a replacement for the puffs, or go well with them and you can get about three bites out, so 1-2 per person is more than enough (usually).
Homemade
There are two go-to hor's d'oeuvres that are in my repertiore any time of year. Both are quite easy to make and taste delicious. Baked brie is something that, I feel, no party should be without. I love this stuff. If you were to raid our fridge, brie would be in there almost any day of the week. There are a few thousand different ways to serve brie, but my favorite holiday recipe is simple with pastry, jam, and the cheese.
Bruschetta is another easy to make, easy to love appetizers that can be made ahead and brought out at the last minute. In fact, it is even better if made a few hours ahead of a party! I serve mine with toasted and sliced baguette on the side... No soggy bread! If you are in a jam for time, most deli's also have this ready made and the grocery will have baguette pre-sliced and toasted. Just pop the crostini in the oven a few minutes before serving!
Brie Pastry
Servings: 2-10 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
8 ounce roll of brie, Frozen pastry sheet, Flour for dusting, Plum Jam
Let pastry thaw on counter for 15 minutes before use. Follow pastry cooking directions for oven temp and time cook. Roll pastry out on lightly floured work space until it is 1/16 of an inch thick. The pastry does not need to be round. Place brie in center of pastry and spread jam along the top so it is almost one centimeter thick. Fold pastry over brie so it collects in layers on the top. Place on baking sheet and heat according to package directions.
Let cool for five minutes before serving. You can serve with fruit, or alone with a serving knife.
Bruschetta
Servings: 6-10 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes and 1 hour
Ingredients:
8 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/3 cup chopped, fresh basil
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil plus some for bread
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1 french baguette
Combine diced tomatoes, basil. cheese, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Cut bread into half inch thick slices and drizzle with olive oil. Place in oven for ten minutes at 350 degrees. Serve and enjoy!