Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Fabulous Appetizers

The Bag Lady thought she would share some of her tried and true Really, Really Good recipes with you. (You have no idea how lucky you are!) The Bag Lady has no idea of content of calories, fat, etc., and really doesn’t want to know. She always buys low-fat or no-fat versions of everything, so maybe that helps a little!
None of these are very complicated, nor do they take a great deal of preparation, but they all taste great and look appealing.

Hot Crab Dip

1 can crab meat
2 Tbsp minced onion
1 Tbsp butter
8 oz pkg reduced fat cream cheese
2 Tbsp 1% milk
1 Tbsp lemon juice
¼ C sliced green olives
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 drops Tabasco Sauce

Drain crabmeat. Saute onion in butter in saucepan. Add cream cheese and stir over low heat until smooth. Blend in remaining ingredients.
Serve in chafing dish, or round loaf.

Green Goddess Veggie Dip

½ Cup Mayonnaise
½ Cup Sour Cream
2 tsp anchovy paste
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 ½ Tbsp chopped green onion tops
1 small clove minced garlic
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp water
2 tsp lemon juice
1 ½ tsp Tarragon Vinegar

Combine all ingredients. Chill several hours or overnight.
Serve with raw veggies.

Ported Cheese Apple

1 ½ Cups grated Cheddar Cheese
1 pkg (125 g) softened cream cheese
1 Tbsp Port Wine
Paprika
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
Blend cheeses and port wine. Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour. Shape into an apple. Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle with paprika. Use the cinnamon stick and bay leaf for stem and leaf of apple.
Serve with crackers.
The Bag Lady usually doubles this recipe, making two balls. One she forms into the apple, and the other she forms into a pear, using turmeric instead of the paprika.
This recipe is simple, doesn't take a great deal of time, and always gets raves. Set the "fruit" in the centre of a platter, surrounded with cubes of different cheeses, meat and crackers and scatter a few grapes (or grape tomatoes) on top. People will think you worked for hours...

13 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

Oh my goodness. Hot WHAT dip?

(shudder)

the Bag Lady said...

Oops...that was supposed to read clam...or, or, shrimp...or, something...

Dawn said...

Sheesh, that was a bit of a blunder, wasn't it. Did crab meat have to be the very first ingredient. You've probably scared the clawed one away for ever.

They sound yummy and I shall be trying them out over the festive season. Could I use something else instead of tinned "you know what"!

the Bag Lady said...

Hi, Dawn - yup, the Bag Lady blew that one!! She thinks, though, that you could substitute other seafood for the unmentionable stuff. Shrimp might be quite tasty. Actually, tinned ham might work, too...hmm, might have to experiment.

Reb said...

OMG, now I have to disavow any relationship I may or may not have had with you! Blood ties be damned!

Dawn, living where you do, I imagine you could use fresh, not tinned whatever.

Sarah said...

wow. Those look amazing! And I love the apple cheese ball!! You are right, people would freak thinking you spend hours!

the Bag Lady said...

Reb - like you haven't disowned the Bag Lady about a hundred times in the past...!
Sarah - the apple cheese ball is dead simple, and people rave about it - it really does look pretty. Another thing to do with it is make it look like a Christmas ornament...or a bell...use your imagination. Food should be fun, right?

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...I *love* green goddess dip. Now I know how to make it!

Bwaha!
I can feel the pounds approaching as we speak :)

the Bag Lady said...

Geosomin - the Bag Lady loves it too - and green goddess salad!
(actually had you in mind with that one - don't know why!)

Anonymous said...

The recipes look delish. If i were allowed to do more than bake things of no nutritional value, I'd try a recipe.

As it is, i'm saving them for later use.

the Bag Lady said...

tricia - sorry to hear these have too much nutrition for you - hope they come in handy at some future date!

Hilary said...

Those appetizers sound wonderful! What time do you want us for dinner?

the Bag Lady said...

Cocktails at 6:30, Hilary!