These elegant appetizer recipes can be served at any special occasion or dinner party. Showcase them at family gatherings, bunco groups, work parties, church pot lucks, graduation parties, bridal and baby showers. Appetizer recipes suit many special occasions, so enjoy them as often as you like!
Cheesy Asparagus strips
30 fresh asparagus spears, cleaned and trimmed
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
Steam the asparagus just until tender. Cut 20 asparagus spears into 1 inch logs. Mash remaining spears. In a small bowl, combine mashed asparagus, mayonnaise, flour, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, mustard salt, pepper and lemon zest. Roll puff pastry sheets into 17 inch squares. Place 1/2 of mixture on each each square; top each with the cut asparagus logs. Fold the pastry in half and seal the edges. Brush the dough with beaten egg. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cut into strips to serve (16 servings).
Calamata Crostini
1 cup pitted Calamata olives
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
anchovy paste (2" from tube)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 baguette French bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup (or more) mozzarella cheese
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Combine olives, oil, garlic, anchovy paste and parmesan cheese in a food processor until well blended; scrape down sides of the bowl. Spread the mixture on bread slices; top each with some mozzarella cheese. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
