Crostini - Easy Appetizer Style
Makes 12
These "little toasts" can be topped with many more combinations than this one. So, when the people you last served them to return, they won't think you only know how to make one easy appetizer.
12 slices Italian bread (the long skinny kind), 1/2 inch thick
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
1 Cup chopped tomato
3 Tbsps. chopped fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp. capers or chopped ripe olives
1/2 tsp. each salt & pepper
12 slices mozzarella cheese
Heat oven to 375 degrees
Place bread slices on ungreased cookie sheets and drizzle 1 tsp. oil over each slice.
Mix tomato, basil, capers, salt and pepper and spread half of the tomato mixture over bread slices; top each with a cheese slice and spread remaining tomato mixture over cheese.
Bake about 8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
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Cheddar Mini-Quiche
Makes 4 to 5 Dozen
Sized for a crowd you can freeze some for your next bash. Five minutes to prepare
and 25 or 30 to bake. You'll knock their socks off with this easy appetizer.
3 eggs
1 lb. small curd cottage cheese
3 Tbsp. sour cream or sour 1/2 and 1/2
4 oz.sharp Cheddar, (pre-shredded in a bag)
1/2 Cup Bisquick
1/4 tsp. salt
Black pepper to taste
4 Tbsps. melted butter
In large bowl combine all ingredients and blend just until mixed. Spray miniature muffin tins liberally with vegetable spray or use non-stick tins. Fill each cup almost full.
Bake in preheated 375° oven 25 to 30 minutes.
OK, it's not the easiest easy appetizer but the result is worth the little extra effort.
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Gourmet Fried Cheese
Makes approx. 30 pieces
Why "gourmet"? Expensive cheese, not mozzarella. Be sure the cheese is cold when you make these so it will cut easily.
8 oz. Brie or Camembert cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup fine breadcrumbs
Oil for deep frying
Cut the cheese into bite-sized pieces. Spread the flour on a square of waxed paper.
Beat the egg with a fork and mix well with the milk in a shallow bowl. Spread the breadcrumbs on another square of waxed paper.
Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer or wok to 325 degrees and dip the pieces of cheese in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in the egg-and-milk mixture and roll in breadcrumbs.
Deep fry for 10 to 15 seconds, or until golden brown.
Serve immediately - but be careful, the cheese is hot.
