Thanks to those of you who offered suggestions. We're still fine tuning our menu, but since I've tried all of these recipes in the past, I thought I would post them for anyone who is interested.
The party isn't until December, but I'm trying to get this all organized before Thanksgiving. We're asking everyone to bring a Christmas ornament and a canned good. We will have an "ornament swap" after everyone has eaten & socialized for a bit, and we will donate the food to the local food bank in time for the holidays.
I'm still not 100% sure of the Wine & Cheese idea, so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As of now, we will be serving:
Baked Brie
Artichoke Dip w/ Homemade Pita Chips
Southwestern Cheese Appetizer
Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta
Exotic Mushroom Tarts
An assorted cheese tray, using cheeses not used in other recipes
A fruit tree made to resemble a Christmas tree, using grapes, apple slices, figs, strawberries, oranges, etc.
Assorted olives
Assorted crackers
Of course, we will have a mixture of white, red and blush wines appropriate for the menu. (Suggestions are appreciated). I will also serve either sparkling grape juice or some sort of punch using this for the non-alcoholic beverage. If it ever cools down here, I may serve some sort of hot cider drink.
Well enough babbling, here are the recipes:
* Exported from MasterCook *
Southwestern Cheese Appetizer
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 16 Preparation Time :0:30
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup White Wine Vinegar
1/4 Cup Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 Jar Roasted Red Peppers -- (7.5 oz) drained and diced
3 Whole Green Onions -- minced
3 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Parsley
3 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Cilantro
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
1 Block Sharp Cheddar Cheese -- (8 oz) chilled
1 Block Monterey Jack Cheese With Peppers -- (8 oz) chilled
1 Package Cream Cheese -- (8 oz) chilled
Whisk together first 3 ingredients until mixture is blended; stir in diced red peppers and next 6 ingredients. Set marinade aside.
Cut block of cheddar cheese in half lengthwise. Cut halves cross-wise into 1/4 inch thick slices. Repeat procedure with Monterey Jack cheese and cream cheese.
Arrange cheese slices alternately in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on edge. Pour marinade over cheeses. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
Transfer cheese to a serving plate, and spoon remaining marinade over top.
Source: "Southern Living"
Copyright: "November 2001"
T(Chill): "8:00"
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Serving Ideas : Serve with assorted crackers.* Exported from MasterCook *
Baked Brie
Recipe By :Becca
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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2 Whole Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets
1 Round Brie -- preferably with 60% butterfat
2 Tablespoons Grated Ginger Root -- optional
1 Medium Egg
1 Teaspoon Water
Thaw puff pastry sheets in refrigerator overnight.
Beat egg with water to make egg wash.
Unfold pastry sheets and press or roll out slightly with rolling pin.
Brush first sheet with egg and trim in a circle at least 2 inches larger than the Brie. Brush top of Brie with remaining egg wash, sprinkle with ginger and place trimmed second sheet on top of Brie.
Press sheet onto the sides of the Brie and bring the bottom sheet up, folding it over. Crimp like an upside down pie crust.
Brush whole Brie with egg wash and trim with leftover pastry cut in decorative shapes with cookie cutters.
Be sure crusts are sealed completely or cheese may melt and leak from the pastry.
Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees about 40 minutes, or until golden.
Source: "Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking"
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NOTES : NOTE: To bake Brie topped with preserves and/or nuts but without a crust:
Place Brie on a baking sheet. Spread preserves over top of cheese to within 3 /4 inch of edge. Bake in 275-degree oven until cheese is soft, about 30 minutes. Raspberry or apricot preserves with blanched, slivered almonds are good, but the cheese also is delicious with brown sugar and pecans sprinkled on the top and heated at 275 degrees until Brie is soft. * Exported from MasterCook *
Artichoke Dip
Recipe By :Sandra Taliaferro
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 Can Artichoke Hearts -- drained and chopped
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese -- grated
Mix all ingredients together well and pour into greased casserole dish.
Sprinkle with coarse ground pepper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
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Serving Ideas : Serve with tortilla or pita chips.* Exported from MasterCook *
Homemade Pita Chips
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 Package Pita Bread Rounds -- split in half
Vegetable Oil Spray -- (I use butter flavored Pam)
Garlic Salt -- to taste
Cut halved pita rounds into 8 wedges.
Place in single layer on baking sheet and spray lightly with Pam.
Sprinkle generous amount of garlic salt over pita wedges.
Broil until lightly browned.
Yield: "160 Chips"
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Serving Ideas : Great with any dips.
NOTES : You may need to stir the chips around a little during cooking in order to make sure they alll brown evenly.
* Exported from MasterCook *
Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta
Recipe By :Claudia Jackson (Noonday, TX)
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 Whole French Bread Loaf -- (16 oz.) cut into 24 slices
1 Medium Purple Onion -- coarsely chopped
1 Teaspoon Sugar
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
24 Small Basil Leaves
1 Jar Roasted Red Peppers -- drained and cut into thin strips
3 Ounces Goat Cheese -- crumbled
Place bread slices on baking sheet.
Broil 6 inches from heat for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Set aside.
Cook onion and sugar in hot oil in large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 25 minutes. Cool.
Top bread evenly with onion mixture, basil and pepper strips.
Sprinkle evenly with cheese and broil for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
Source: "Southern Living 2000 Annual Recipes"
Yield: "24 Appetizers"
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* Exported from MasterCook *
Exotic Mushroom Tarts
Recipe By :Emeril Lagasse
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Pound Assorted Mushrooms - Shiitakes, Oysters, Chanterelles, Etc. -- cleaned with stems trimmed (about 3 cups)
1 Teaspoon Chopped Garlic
1/4 Pound Goat Cheese -- crumbled
1/2 Cup Grated Parmigiano-reggiano Cheese
1 Frozen Puff Pastry Sheet -- thawed
1 Large Egg -- beaten
1 Tablespoon Chopped Parsley
Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In skillet, melt butter, add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and season with remaining salt and pepper, add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and pour mushrooms into bowl. Add goat cheese and 1/2 of parmigiano cheese and stir.
Use a 2 inch round cutter to cut 24 rounds of pastry. Place them on the baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Spread a tablespoon of mushroom mixture on each round. Bake until lightly browned.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese and parsley.
Source: "Every Day is a Party Cookbook"
Yield: "24 Appetizers"
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NOTES : You can also use white mushrooms; flavor will be a little milder, but still good.
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