QUICK AND EASY APPETIZERS FOR YOUR NEW YEARS PARTY!!!

We recently had an appetizer class and our budding chefs made some really delicious appetizers.....Perfect for your New Years Eve Party...or any time!  Try these out....

BLACK EYE PEA SALSA

• FOR THE DRESSING:
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 1/3 cup White Wine (or Regular) Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons (to 3 Tablespoons) Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
• _____
• VEGGIES:
• 3 stalks Green Onions, Sliced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 whole Cucumber, Peeled, Seeded, And Chopped
• 1 whole Jalapeno (optional), Seeded And Chopped
• 1 cup (or More If Desired) Chopped Cilantro
• 2 cans Black-eyed Peas, Drained

Mix together dressing ingredients. Set aside.

Combine all vegetables (except cilantro) with black eyed peas. Pour dressing over the top and gently stir together. Add cilantro and stir gently.

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

 

POTATO ONION TARTLETS

Onion Potato Tartlets

Ingredients

1 potato peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices

1 vidalia onion roughly chopped

4 tablespoons butter

salt/pepper

1 17.3 ounce package Puff Pastry sheets thawed

16 oz. smoked provolone cheese
1 egg
1 tablespoon cream or milk
 

How to Make It

Heat the oven to 350°F. melt butter in large frying pan, add onions and carmelize over medium heat.
Add potatoes and cook til golden brown.  Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Remove from heat  Set aside

Take Puff Pastry Sheet and cut into 3 inch squares (9 per sheet)  Roll each sheet out  place a tablespoon of potato and onion mixture on center. Cut slice of smoked provolone into quarters.  Add one piece on top of potato onion mixture.  Bring each corner to center and press down to close.  Complete this til done with all sheets.

whisk egg and cream in a small ball.  Brush egg wash mixture on each pastry.  place in oven and bake til puffed and golden brown approximately 20 minutes...serve warm

optional you can sprinkle chopped chives or parsley over tart before serving.

BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES

• 1 pound sliced bacon, cut into thirds
• 1 (14 ounce) package beef cocktail wieners

• 3/4 cup brown sugar, or to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Refrigerate 2/3 of the bacon until needed. It is easier to wrap the wieners with cold bacon. Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar generously over all.
3. Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve, place the wieners in a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.
   
   PEPPERONI PIZZA MONKEY BREAD

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cans (16.3 ounces each) large refrigerated flaky biscuits (8 count)
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 slices pepperoni, halved
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• Additional marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine first four ingredients; microwave, covered, on high for 30 seconds. Cool slightly.
• Cut each biscuit into four pieces; add to oil mixture and toss to coat. Add cheeses and pepperoni; toss to combine. In a heavy 10-in. fluted tube pan coated with cooking spray, layer half of the biscuit mixture; drizzle with 1/4 cup marinara sauce. Repeat layers.
• Bake about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan. Invert onto a serving plate. Serve with additional sauce.

CHEESE BALLS

1 PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE
1/2 CUP CHEDDAR CHEESE
1/4 CUP DICED ROASTED RED PEPPER
PRETZEL STICKS
1/2 CUP PECANS FINELY CHOPPED


MIX CHEESES AND PEPPER TOGETHER.  ROLL INTO BALLS THE SIZE OF AN ACORN.  ROLL INTO CHOPPED PECANS, PLACE PRETZEL STICK IN CENTER OF BALL.  SERVE CHILLED.