What's your favorite make ahead appetizer recipe

[nesser1981]

That kids like?

I'm working on my Dec.shopping list, we always do snack food on christmas day. I'm thinking meatballs (not sure the kids will eat them), pigs in a blanket, fruit salad, & then i am at a loss, i thought bout hot crab dip, we love it, but not sure if the kids will eat it or not.

[mariewilcox]

I don't know what your kids will eat but these are some of our faves for get togethers such as superbowl, NYE, CE, etc.:

7-Layer Mexican Dip (http://www.grouprecipes.com/34714/hot-7-layer-dip.html) We omit the jalapenos and just use the canned chiles.
Any type of chicken wings.
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts with chili sauce
pepperoni and cheese platter with crackers
Lots of fresh cut vegetables with hummus and ranch for dipping
Homemade egg rolls (http://www.joyfulabode.com/2009/07/05/homemade-baked-eggolls/)

[KristinCB]

these....mmmmmmm
http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/250x250/00/58/04/580486.jpg

Ham Roll Ups
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/yummyoll-ups/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=roll%20ups&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

[Darcy Baldwin]

Do these, do them small, and do them on sticks or toothpicks - the kids will ♥ them!

http://www.squidoo.com/grape-jelly-meatballs

[marlathrall]

Bacon wrapped smokies and summer sausage with cheese is already a hit around here!

[farrijc]

A block of cream cheese with raspberry chipotle sauce poured over the top, served with bread or crackers. Very yummy and takes two seconds to throw together!

I also love spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips :thumbup:

[nesser1981]

Bacon wrapped smokies and summer sausage with cheese is already a hit around here!

I was kind of thinking about going this route.

Loving the ideas!

I love those pickle wraps Kristin.

[Darcy Baldwin]

^updated mine. My kids eat anything on a stick :)

[marlathrall]

I was kind of thinking about going this route.

Loving the ideas!

I love those pickle wraps Kristin.

I usually make the smokies first thing in the morning and then keep them in a crockpot on low or "keep warm." They stay nice and warm all day long.

[Laura_A]

I always make Salmon Paté and it's ALWAYS a hit with anyone who tries it. My kids LOVE it (and one isn't much of a seafood eater).

2 blocks of cream cheese
15 oz canned salmon (I buy the tear open pouches cuz the canned stuff has bones & skin you have to clean out 1st)
1/4 cup green onion
garlic salt to taste
2 tbs liquid smoke

Just mash it all together with your hands then devour with Wheat Thins. SO yummy!!

[Laura_A]

We also love those Taquitos you buy in the freezer section. Mix some salsa & sour cream together for a dipping sauce. Super easy and tasty!

[YepBrook]

I usually make the smokies first thing in the morning and then keep them in a crockpot on low or "keep warm." They stay nice and warm all day long.

How is it that I have no idea what smokies are or how to make them? They sound yummy! Please share! ;)

[Laura_A]

How is it that I have no idea what smokies are or how to make them? They sound yummy! Please share! ;)

Lil Smokies are tiny little smoked sausages and they ARE yummy. You can find them in the refrigerator section in a package where you'd find the smoked sausage and hot dogs. There are lots of ways to make them...my faves are just cooked in your fave BBQ sauce or grape jelly and salsa (sounds weird but so yummy). You can just heat them on the stove and serve or put them in the crock pot. They're precooked (like a hot dog) so they only need to be warmed.

You can also make Pigs In a Blanket by wrapping biscuit dough around them and baking...SOO yummy.

Here are some recipies to take a peek at...
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/little-smokies/morerecipeslikethis.aspx

[YepBrook]

Lil Smokies are tiny little smoked sausages and they ARE yummy. You can find them in the refrigerator section in a package where you'd find the smoked sausage and hot dogs. There are lots of ways to make them...my faves are just cooked in your fave BBQ sauce or grape jelly and salsa (sounds weird but so yummy). You can just heat them on the stove and serve or put them in the crock pot. They're precooked (like a hot dog) so they only need to be warmed.

You can also make Pigs In a Blanket by wrapping biscuit dough around them and baking...SOO yummy.

Here are some recipies to take a peek at...
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/little-smokies/morerecipeslikethis.aspx

Thanks so much for enlightening me. :) I don't know how I've never noticed them before. Or have never eaten them!

I think I'm going to do appetizer foods on Christmas eve this year, too. Something easy... grab & go.

[nesser1981]

Thanks so much for enlightening me. :) I don't know how I've never noticed them before. Or have never eaten them!

I think I'm going to do appetizer foods on Christmas eve this year, too. Something easy... grab & go.

Yeah, i use the w/ crescent rolls for my pigs in a blanket, they are my kids favorites! They have them w/ cheese inside too, & even turkey ones.

[FireWolf]

Do these, do them small, and do them on sticks or toothpicks - the kids will ♥ them!

http://www.squidoo.com/grape-jelly-meatballs

Anybody willing to send me some grape jelly and hormel chili? :D j/k

We have NO grape jelly here...chili I can make myself....but I haven't had a good pb & grape jelly sandwich in almost 12 years!

[YepBrook]

Anybody willing to send me some grape jelly and hormel chili? :D j/k

We have NO grape jelly here...chili I can make myself....but I haven't had a good pb & grape jelly sandwich in almost 12 years!

Oh my goodness!!! Grape Jelly is my favorite... it's strange they don't have it there. Isn't toast with Jam the #1 breakfast food in the Netherlands?

[FireWolf]

Oh my goodness!!! Grape Jelly is my favorite... it's strange they don't have it there. Isn't toast with Jam the #1 breakfast food in the Netherlands?

Nope, untoasted bread or toast with cheese or lunchmeat is the #1 breakfast here...that or and muesli with yoghurt. YUK!!!

[kristijoy]

I second the 7 layer mexi dip! YUM!

And...just to throw in a monkey wrench...at my mom's we always did snack foods and soup. She would make 2 or 3 kinds of soup the day before (like potato chowder). Then we would just gnosh all day on soup, 7 layer mexi dip, cream cheese with cocktail sauce & shrimp, and of course.........cookies!!!

[kristijoy]

How about devilled eggs!!! Yum!

[kelley]

A block of cream cheese with raspberry chipotle sauce poured over the top, served with bread or crackers. Very yummy and takes two seconds to throw together!

I also love spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips :thumbup:

I love spinach artichoke dip too!!

And I'm curious about your cream cheese ap - where do you get raspberry chipotle sauce? This sounds awesome - I LOVE cream cheese.

I also second the ham/pickle rollups :)

[nesser1981]

I love spinach artichoke dip too!!

And I'm curious about your cream cheese ap - where do you get raspberry chipotle sauce? This sounds awesome - I LOVE cream cheese.

I also second the ham/pickle rollups :)

Looks likeyou can get it at walmart.

Pepper jelly is also great over cream cheese w/ crackers.

[nesser1981]

I'm thinking about the 7 layer dip. But I'm not sure coop would eat that.

[farrijc]

I love spinach artichoke dip too!!

And I'm curious about your cream cheese ap - where do you get raspberry chipotle sauce? This sounds awesome - I LOVE cream cheese.

I also second the ham/pickle rollups :)

I get it at my local grocery store, which happens to be HEB. But, I think you can get it just about everywhere... target, walmart, cost plus/world market, etc. I've seen it at craft shows a lot, too (places where they sell gourmet foods).

[QuiltyMom]

These days I get whatever Trader Joe's has in their freezer section, or a big tub of hummus and mini pita breads.