Appetizer recipes for a games group....

[politicat]

I belong to a game group that meets once a week; there are six of us. Between the six of us, we have sensitivities or allergies to strawberries, peanuts, chile peppers and most cheeses. Healthier food is preferred to not so healthy food.

I've been baking a lot for this group, but I'm getting tired of baking. Food has to stand up to transport (20 minutes) and be something we can leave out. If it makes kitty cats happy, all the better. Once every three weeks, we meet at my house, when I can do things like soups and whole grain breads.

So far my list of future foods include baked egg rolls, vietnamese spring rolls, pot stickers, sushi, butter chicken (minus the chili pepper), deviled eggs, and once it warms up, cold salads and chicken salad rolls. But for now, it's still cold and breakfast breads are driving me bonkers.

Anything that works well for your get-togethers?

[NMDemDist2]

1. add taboli and hummus

with pitas or crackers

[Warpy]

2. How about stuffed mushrooms?

And yes, I like 'em cold, especially when they're stuffed with crabmeat.

[onecent]

11. Could your share your crabmeat stuffed mushroom recipe?

Thanks.

[The empressof all]

3. Tortellini Salad

Just boil up and drain two packages of Tortellini, add chopped celery, red peppers, a little red onion, chopped broccoli, radishes, carrots....whatever veggies you like. I add a couple of cans of drained tuna but you can add chicken, shrimp or tofu. Cheese is optional. (If your guests can't eat cheese in tortellini you can just use a plain or whole wheat pasta.

I dress with Paul Newman's bottled dressing when it's still warm but any vinaigrette will work. Add lots of black pepper and you have a great traveling dish.

[chefgirl]

4. Bread sticks wrapped in bacon

Wrap the bread stick with a slice of bacon, bake at about 400 degrees, on a rack, until the bacon is moderately crisp. They are just as tasty cold as hot.

-chef-

[grasswire]

5. I like the idea of tabbouli

....and might think about frying up a bunch of falafel balls that could be popped in those mini pita breads along with some yogurt sauce. You can find falafel mix in bulk grocery items or in natural food stores. Shred some lettuce, slice some tomatoes and cucumbers and you've got the makings of a great snack.

Or how about some little roast beef sandwiches made on whole grain dinner rolls. Serve with several different toppings or spreads, such as horseradish mayo, a chutney, or a good grainy mustard and some pickled onions.

Hard-cooked eggs marinated in pickled beet juice are always popular.

Also, big soft pretzels with various dunks and squirts. That takes baking, yes, but they are so delicious!

[politicat]

6. Great ideas - thanks!

We do falafel mix on a regular basis - there's one that doesn't taste strongly of chickpeas. And if I deep fry them then freeze them, they bake up nicely.

Beets... not so much. The pretzels however are a fabulous idea.

[yellowdogintexas]

7. Easy pickle rollups.

Take dill pickle spears and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Spread mustard or a mustard mayo mix on thinly sliced ham (like the Danish Ham)..you can also use cream cheese or sourcream, if you are OK with Cream cheese...
roll the pickle up in the ham, like a jelly roll and stab it with some toothpicks, then cut between the toothpicks to make little bites.


Another good one and very easy is to buy fresh mushrooms, whole ones what are very fresh and nice and white. pour Italian salad dressing over them and let them marinate. Delicious. Transports well in Tupperware.
You can also do this with fresh brocolli or fresh asparagus. Steam very lightly and marinate in Italian or other vinegarette type dressing.

[yewberry]

8. You could do some kind of antipasti platter.

Set up a little bruschetta bar. Make crostini (or use good crackers if you don't love bread.) Serve with:
olive tapenade
diced tomato/basil/minced garlic/s&p
roasted garlic
roasted peppers (roast 'em yourself--so much better!)
goat cheese (many who are lactose intolerant are fine with goat cheese)

Also:
marinated mushrooms
grilled eggplant, zukes, & summer squash
artichoke hearts
white bean, red onion, & red bell pepper salad (usually made w/ emulsified dressing, so beware of long hold times)
chilled pasta salad
fresh mozz if you like
meat if you like



And okay, I'll vote for the hummus/baba ghanouj/tabbouli stuff, too! Love it!

[NMDemDist2]

9. hey pCat look what I found in my bookmarks!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=2029

[spindrifter]

10. Good find!

Thanks!