14 easy appetizers
Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden
No matter how many times you tell yourself you're going to make your own hors d'oeuvres this holiday season, it's still tempting to buy packaged frozen appetizers for entertaining. Well, don't fret. Here are simple hors d'oeuvres that are either five ingredients or less, take 10 minutes to make or have convenient make-ahead or freezer options -- and will have guests asking for the recipes.
Quick fixes
• Halve cherry tomatoes, sandwich around small bocconcini balls then thread onto short skewers. Set out a small bowl of balsamic vinegar mixed with extra-virgin olive oil for dipping.
• Wrap thin slices of prosciutto around pitted honey dates or dried figs. If desired, grill until prosciutto is crisp.
• Cube chicken breasts and toss with prepared honey-garlic sauce. Broil until no longer pink inside. Skewer chicken cube along with cube of pineapple, mango or cantaloupe.
• Stuff halved mini pitas with prepared hummus or baba ghanoush, an eggplant dip. Top with finely diced cucumber and tomato.
• Top toasted baguette slices with a slice of Brie cheese and either a slice of strawberry, a slice of fresh fig or a dab of mango chutney. Top with a toasted pecan half.
Recipes
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Prosciutto Shrimp
To make this simple recipe even faster, buy peeled and deveined shrimp. -
Sesame Pork Bites
Easy to make, these two-bite roll-ups have a flavour that only improves if you make them a day ahead. The pork is easier to slice if you freeze it for... -
Chicken Tortilla Cups
This kid-friendly nibble has everyone's favourite nacho toppings nestled in cute tortilla cups. The freshest tortillas are more pliant and easier to f... -
Smoked Salmon Spread
This is tasty mounded on baguette slices, endive spears or cucumber squares. -
Cranberry Walnut Brie
Dress this up with kumquats, fresh cranberries and walnuts or a selection of fruit. Brie melts irregularly but no matter how it oozes, it's delicious.... -
Spinach and Red Pepper Pinwheels
With a spinach dip- flavoured filling, these hors d'oeuvres (from our "14 Easy Appetizers" story in the December 2004 issue of Canadian Living... -
Crab-Stuffed Jalapeños
Tender pepper boats hold a creamy crab filling topped with crisp crumbs. -
Mushroom Phyllo Rolls
These crisp little rolls are great to have on hand for impromptu get-togethers. -
Mini Meatballs
Serve with toothpicks and bubbling hot dipping sauce, such as spicy red pepper or roasted garlic or fire-roasted tomato.
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