Classic Cocktail Party Food
When you’re going to throw a fabulous retro-inspired cocktail party, you definitely need some delicious food to accompany all those yummy cocktails! When you are planning your menu, it’s best to choose snacks that are simple, yummy, and hearty. Here are great recipes that will delight your guests and keep the party going all evening long!
Pimiento-Cheese Spread Appetizers (courtesy of Betty Crocker)
Prep Time:15 min
Total Time:15 min
Servings:16
Ingredients:
2/3 cup small whole pimiento-stuffed green olives (from 10-oz jar)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
16 slices cocktail rye bread
Directions:
Reserve 16 whole olives for garnish. Chop remaining olives; place in medium bowl. Add Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, cream cheese and red pepper; beat with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
Spread about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture on 8 of the bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices. Cut each sandwich diagonally in half.
Garnish each appetizer with 1 whole olive secured with a toothpick or decorative pick.
Expert Tips:
To quickly soften cream cheese, use your microwave. Remove foil wrapper and place cream cheese in a microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 45 to 60 seconds for a 3-ounce package of cream cheese.
If cocktail rye bread isn’t available, spread cheese mixture on low-fat rye crackers instead.
Classic Deviled Eggs (courtesy of Food Network)
Total Time: 35 min.
Prep: 20 min.
Cook: 15 min.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
6 eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Smoked Spanish paprika, for garnish
Directions:
Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover with enough water that there’s 1 1/2 inches of water above the eggs. Heat on high until water begins to boil, then cover, turn the heat to low, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and leave covered for 14 minutes, then rinse under cold water continuously for 1 minute.
Crack egg shells and carefully peel under cool running water. Gently dry with paper towels. Slice the eggs in half lengthwise, removing yolks to a medium bowl, and placing the whites on a serving platter. Mash the yolks into a fine crumble using a fork. Add mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Evenly disperse heaping teaspoons of the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Sprinkle with paprika and serve.
Classic Chex Mix (courtesy of Chex)
Ingredients:
3 cups Corn Chex™ cereal
3 cups Rice Chex™ cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex™ cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Steps:
In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.
Tips:
- Substitution: The original recipe includes Corn Chex®, Rice Chex® and Wheat Chex®. You can mix and match to suit your taste—just use a total of 9 cups of cereal.
- Healthy: To reduce the fat to 2 grams and the calories to 80 per serving, use 3 tablespoons margarine instead of the 6 tablespoons butter, omit mixed nuts and use fat-free bagel chips.
What are your favorite cocktail party recipes? Let us know in the comments below! Stay tuned for next week, when we will be giving you some fabulous classic cocktail recipes!
Until next time,
Kathie