More fun appetizers to spice up snack time

Whereas welcoming one other new yr proper right here in Wisconsin, 2023 additionally finds me having fun with Baker and Ostmann’s private favorites from the previous by reminding the reader there’s rather more than simply chips and dips to take pleasure in on any given day, which additionally brings to thoughts my mom’s favourite appetizer that she labeled in her stunning handwriting as being “wonderful.”

½ grated clove of garlic

2 bouillon cubes in 3 tablespoons sizzling water

Beat all elements collectively completely. If too stiff, add a bit of water.

Right here is one in every of my very own favorites, labeled as being “wonderful.”

1 crust from a 15-ounce bundle refrigerated pie crust

1 ½ cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

5 sliced plum tomatoes, drained

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup low-fat mayonnaise

2 tablespoons basil pesto

½ teaspoon freshly floor pepper

3 tablespoons chopped contemporary basil

Take away one pie crust from bundle (reserve second one for one more time); let stand quarter-hour at room temperature. Warmth oven to 400 levels. Lay crust on a frivolously floured flat floor; press out folds. Roll crust right into a 12-inch circle. Brush outer 1 inch of crust with water. Fold edge over and crimp; prick backside. Bake 10-12 minutes; take away from oven. Decrease oven temperature to 375 levels.

Sprinkle sizzling crust with ½ cup mozzarella; cool quarter-hour. Prepare tomatoes over cheese. In a medium bowl, stir collectively remaining mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, pesto and pepper; unfold over tomatoes. Bake 20-25 minutes or till bubbly. Sprinkle with basil.

Makes 8 slices. Preparation time: quarter-hour. Cooking time: Lower than 40 minutes.

Spicing up popcorn with cheese, cayenne pepper and floor cumin provides a south-of-the-border aptitude. Add cayenne a bit of at a time, tasting as you go till you may have the proper diploma of warmth.

¹⁄³ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to style

Soften butter in small saucepan. Take away from warmth and add cheese, seasonings and blend properly. Pour over popped corn; toss to coat properly.

Certainly one of Ostmann’s favourite dips drew curiosity and have become a more healthy model most well-liked by a tv cooking present with modifications made to indicate that better-for-you meals can style good, too.

1 cup 2% low-fat cottage cheese

1 ½ teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoon granulated sugar, or to style

2 teaspoons ready horseradish

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

½ cup mild mayonnaise-type salad dressing

½ cup plain nonfat yogurt

In container of electrical blender, mix cottage cheese till clean and creamy to make “mock bitter cream.” Add lemon juice; mix properly. Combine curry powder, garlic salt, sugar, horseradish, onion and vinegar. Add cottage cheese combination, salad dressing and yogurt; combine properly. Cowl and refrigerate a number of hours, or in a single day. Serve dip with contemporary greens for dipping.

Be aware: The unique recipe known as for 1 cup dairy bitter cream and 1 cup mayonnaise as an alternative of the cottage cheese, salad dressing and yogurt; 2 tablespoons sugar as an alternative of 1 teaspoon; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar as an alternative of 1 tablespoon; and no lemon juice.

Southerners love their sausage balls and make dozens of variations. This recipe was handed on by a caterer and might be made forward and frozen.

1 pound delicate pork sausage

2 cups buttermilk baking combine

1 ½ cups grated apple with peel

In a medium mixing bowl, mix raw sausage, baking combine, apple, raisins and pecans; combine properly. Roll sausage combination into 1-inch balls. Place on a rack in a shallow pan. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 15-20 minutes, or till browned. Flip often whereas baking. Serve instantly, or freeze, then thaw and reheat earlier than serving. Makes about 50.

2 packages (4 ounces every) blue cheese, softened

1 bundle (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup finely chopped salted peanuts

The day earlier than serving: In a medium mixing bowl, mix blue cheese, cream cheese and butter; combine till properly blended. Add Worcestershire sauce; combine properly. Cowl and refrigerate.

On serving day, slice cucumbers 1/4-inch thick, making about 100 rounds. Pat cucumber rounds dry with paper towels. Unfold about 1 teaspoon cheese combination on every cucumber spherical; sprinkle peanuts on prime. To move or hold till serving time, place rounds on a waxed paper-lined container with waxed paper between layers.

Ending right this moment’s grand finale additionally jogs my memory of visiting and having fun with every little thing Greece needed to supply … together with feta cheese.

4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

8 ounces plain nonfat yogurt

1 garlic clove, finely minced

¼ cup finely chopped contemporary parsley

1 tablespoon dried dill weed or 2 tablespoons chopped contemporary dill

In a medium mixing bowl, mix feta cheese and yogurt; combine till clean. Add garlic, parsley, dill, lemon juice and cayenne. Refrigerate, coated, no less than 2 hours earlier than serving. Serve with pita chips or greens for dipping.