283777 Sat Mar 11 14:17:50 -0800 2006 11 31 Home Cooking 0 1515582 I'm looking for rather easy, but delicious appetizers that can be eaten without utensils and passed to guests on serving trays. We may be able to use toaster ovens to make them hot to serve, but room temp would be much more practical. This would be for about 50 persons, maybe a few more, for about 3 hours. Thanks in advance. I appreciate you Chowhounds. Sat Mar 11 14:17:50 -0800 2006 0 kc girl 1 1515586 There are several that come to mind: blanch asparagus and wrap in proscuitto; pull the sturdy leaves off a steamed artichoke and place a little mayo on each end of the leaf (chop up the heart and add to the mayo with some fresh ginger, parmensan, and garlic); endive with your favorite dip, crab, cavier, etc; marinated shrimp; cream cheese thinly spread over toast, nasturium leaves, crackers etc. place a basil leaf on it and top with sundried tomato; fruit on skewers; marinated mushrooms Hope this helps. Sat Mar 11 14:41:36 -0800 2006 1515582 0 Janet 1 1515587 I have no idea where I got this recipe from, but it has intrigued me for a long time. I haven't had a party big enough to make all of these. I guess I could have just cut the recipe...duh...but anyway...If you try it, please report back. GAZPACHO IN CUCUMBER CUPS 1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely diced 1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 pound ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 seedless cucumber, peel on, cut into 1/4-inch dice 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 cup tomato juice, or more if needed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 48 Cucumber Cups (recipe follows) In a medium bowl, place 1/3 cup of the bell pepper, 1 teaspoon of the jalapeño, 1/3 cup of the red onion, 1/3 cup of the tomatoes, 1/3 cup of the cucumber, and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro. Set aside. Place 1/2 cup of the cucumber in a small bowl, and set aside for garnish. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the remaining bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro. Add the tomato juice, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth. Add the combined reserved ingredients from the medium bowl (not the 1/2 cup cucumber). Pulse just to combine, leaving the soup slightly chunky. Transfer the gazpacho to an airtight container. Chill the gazpacho for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to blend. Taste for salt and pepper seasoning, and thin if needed with more tomato juice. To serve, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the gazpacho into each cucumber cup. Top each with some of the reserved diced cucumber. The cups can be eaten after the gazpacho is sipped. CUCUMBER CUPS (Makes about 4 dozen) Look for cucumbers that are narrow, such as Kirbys, seedless hothouse, and Japanese cucumbers, so that the cups will be only 1 or 2 bites. 10 seedless cucumbers, each about 10 ounces and 11 inches long, ends trimmed If the cucumbers are waxed, peel them. Cut each crosswise into five 1.75" pieces. With a small melon baller, carefully scoop out the insides of each piece, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edge and a 1/2-inch border on the bottom. The cucumber cups may be prepared up to 4 hours in advance, arranged on damp paper towels, tightly covered, and refrigerated. Sat Mar 11 14:52:52 -0800 2006 1515582 0 wyf4lyf 2 1515619 What a great idea! I think these would be good topped with a slice of cold, cooked shrimp as well. Sat Mar 11 20:01:03 -0800 2006 1515587 0 Leper 1 1515590 A few ideas: Bruschetta (grill the crostini with olive oil and garlic rubbed on in advance) with various toppings, tapenades or spreads Dates stuffed with a tangy goat cheese/chevre (great contrast) Upscale deviled eggs are always fun (curry, wasabi, be creative) Buckwheat blinis (made ahead)with smoked salmon creme fraiche and a sprig of dill Roasted new potatos sliced in half, reheated in the toaster oven and topped with some creme fraiche and caviar I have recipes if anything catches you eye. Good Luck. Sat Mar 11 15:10:32 -0800 2006 1515582 0 Aaron 2 1515598 I LOVE the simple dates stuffed with Parmesan (the good stuff that I can never spell...you know, that ends in Regianno), then wrapped in bacon and baked/broiled. But I think they are best served hot or warm. Sat Mar 11 15:40:32 -0800 2006 1515590 0 wyf4lyf 3 1515624 I just took non-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon to a party, and have never had food more well-recieved. It was actually sort of annoying; all the times I've slaved over things, and THIS was the thing everyone died for? I didn't even buy fancy dates or bacon. I actually overheard someone leading someone else across the room saying "you've got to try these..." I personally think they would be better with a bit of parmesan or manchego in the middle. I did put manchego out on the plate with them, and I thought it added quite a bit. And they held up surprisingly well at room temperature. Already on a toothpick and easy to eat in one bite. Sat Mar 11 20:38:40 -0800 2006 1515598 0 Jess 4 1515628 WE went to a restaurant last night that had dates on the menu as an appetizer for $2 each. Small date halves, witha marconi (spanish ) almond inside wrapped in bacon and broiled.Very good (but definitely too pricey). Sat Mar 11 21:02:43 -0800 2006 1515624 0 emilief 4 1515665 I agree these taste great even at room temp--been making them for about 15 years--always popular. Sun Mar 12 10:25:05 -0800 2006 1515624 0 Funwithfood 2 1515945 Thanks for your ideas. I have recipes already for these. Mon Mar 13 23:10:46 -0800 2006 1515590 0 kc girl 1 1515592 There's a thread below on gougeres which I think are a wonderful "finger food." In fact, have a batch in the oven right now. And, they work fine at room temp although a quick crisping in the oven might be good. Sat Mar 11 15:23:15 -0800 2006 1515582 0 Monty 2 1515948 Thanks for the reference. Sounds good. Mon Mar 13 23:17:14 -0800 2006 1515592 0 kc girl