Jay's Incredible Jewels

What better way to start any lunch or Evening meal than with an appetizer! Add a fine glass of wine and your mouth will explode into a taste sensation. Whether it is a picnic, an elegant dinner party, or just a family meal with loved ones, starting with hors-d’oeuvres makes the meal more enjoyable.

I think we all have our favorites. Maybe some fried chicken wing with a little ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks. Or how bout some different cheese chunks, with a little sliced salami, sausage, and olives. (One could make an elaborate charcuterie board or just something simple). Easy-peasy, but it makes the time you spend enjoying the meal so much better. Especially if you have guests!. They will be made to feel extra special with appetizers, and/or cocktails served before the meal (It will make those you serve feel they were worth a little extra special treatment!) This labor of love makes the time together more enjoyable).

What Kind of Cook Are You?

I am an adventurous cook. My kids will tell you that I concoct things often and can get something similar the second time around, but not exactly. This can be both disappointing and awesome, cuz I don’t measure ingredients, and just put together what sounds good to me. So my recipes are a pinch of this and a dab of that, then through in some…….. So I need to preface this when actually sharing a recipe with others.

I don’t understand how I got to be so exploratory in my cooking style. Growing up I was one of those kids that didn’t like anything on the plate touching. And boy was I picky. I spent my summers in New York with my Mom’s sister and her family. My Aunt and Uncle still remember I would only eat Delmonte blue lake green beans when visiting them (I found out years later that my Aunt cooked whatever and always told me they were Delmonte blue lake LOL!) My family often told me “Sweetheart, why are you so picky, It all ends up in the same place?” As I got older I am happy to say that my tastes expanded, but when my parents took me to this very exclusive restaurant and ordered Octopus….that was when I drew the line!

Pretty and Easy

Don’t know about you, but I like everything to look presentable and be simple to prepare. I happen to love Crab and here is an easy appetizer to make, and yummy to eat. Grilled Crabmeat Pinwheels My Family has always loved these!

8oz, pkg of crab 6 hard-boiled eggs 2c./1/2lb.Shredded Cheddar Cheese 1 C Mayonnaise 4 Shallots 1/2 c. Ranch Dressing 1/2 C. diced mushrooms (optional) 4-6 Med-Lg Flour Tortillas 1 tsp. Lemon Juice 1/2 C Parmesan Grated Cheese (optional)

Flake Crab meat into large bowl (You may use 7 oz. can. I prefer the Surimi Flake style chunks made from Whitefish, but you can use the real stuff). Grate eggs in the bowl with the crab. and pour the shredded cheese into the mixture (I like to use sharp cheddar, but any cheese can be used). Chop shallots finely and set aside some of the chives to use as garnish while pinwheels cook. I like to saute the mushrooms and onions together in a little olive oil till browned. Blend mayo, onions, and salad dressing with other ingredients. Spread a layer of the mixture on tortilla and roll. Slice rolls evenly about 1/2 inch thick. Coat baking sheet with oil, butter, or spray so pinwheels do not stick. Lay slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle with chives. You may also shake some Parisian Cheese on top as well. Place under Broiler in oven 5-8 minutes, until golden brown. Plate and serve. warm. (Be inventive with this delicious appetizer, put is on toasted Bread rounds, half loaf of bread as the appetizer below, or just on a cracker cold).

Here is an Easy Appetizer

Here is another quick and easy recipe of my family favorites: Cheezy Loaf This one is Scrumdiliumceous!

3 Tbs. Mayonnaise 2 Tbs. Chopped Spanish Olives 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder Paprika(for garnish) 8Oz. Italian Blended Cheese Shredded (Mozzarella Plus) 1 Loaf French Bread Cut Lengthwise in Half

Mix mayonnaise, garlic powder, shredded cheese, and finely chopped olives. Slice French Bread loaf in half lengthwise and spread mixture evenly over white, cut surfaces of bread. Sprinkle with paprika. Place crust side down on cookie sheet and place in oven to broil. 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Removed from oven and cut into slices. Makes 24 servings for this incredible appetizer.

Ready For A Go Anywhere Favorite?

Who doesn’t love meatballs? Here’s the easiest appetizer ever. You’ll get rave reviews!!! Cocktail Meatballs

2lb. Bag of Frozen Cocktail Meatballs 1 12oz. Bottle Tomato-Based Chili Sauce Pinch Cayenne Pepper ( optional) 8-12 oz bottle BBQ Sauce 1 32oz Jar Grape Jelly 2 TBS. Brown Sugar 1 Can Diced Pineapple in Juice (9X13 in. or roasting) Pan or Crock Pot

Pour meatballs in roasting pan or slow cooker. Then pour ingredients over meatballs as listed:

• Chili Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Grape Jelly
• Brown Sugar
• Diced Pineapple (whole can, juice and all)
• Cayenne Pepper (if you dare?)

Mix ingredients well. Try to get the lumps out of the jelly and make sure the meatballs are completely coated with sauce. Your basic crock pot should be set on hi and plan to cook for 3 hours. For the roasting pan method, place pan in 325-degree oven for 1-2 hrs. With both methods mix sauce thoroughly over meatballs halfway through the cooking process. So simple and easy to prepare. Use toothpicks to serve and place a small bowl of sauce out for dipping. ( Alternatives: Meatballs can be all ground beef, all ground turkey, or mixed pork, chicken, and beef. Also, mini franks can be made this way as well.) My kids have loved this so much, they ask for it for our meals somtimes. Makes a great entree with a salad and a dialectical bottle of Ricord Merlot!

There You Have It

So The bottom line for me is Easy-Peasy, but also must be like Tony-the-Tiger says,”GGGGRRREATTT!!” These appetizers that I have listed are so scrumptious that I am preparing them for our special Friday night dinner with friends and family. I love to share these delicious Jewels with ya’all, so come back often to see new things added all the time. Also, feel free to contact me directly on the form listed to the right or at the bottom. I love hearing your feedback and thoughts!

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