#1 – Roasted Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Directions: Simply slice your miniature peppers the long way and remove any seeds, lay on a foil lined baking sheet and spoon in your favorite goat cheese (I am partial to the Fig). Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 10 – 15 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and peppers are roasted to perfection (still a little crunch, but all that roasted flavor yumminess!)
#2 – Asparagus and Prosciutto Bundles
These savory, salty bundles will be gone before they get cold. This is one of my top go-to recipes – an appetizer for a cocktail party or a side for a dinner party. Again, super easy and quick to whip up, pretty to serve and sooo tasty…
2 lbs asparagus, bottoms discarded
6 slices Italian prosciutto
2 oz grated Gruyere chese
s& p and good olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Gather 6 – 8 asparagus in prosciutto around middle and repeat to make 6 bundles.Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with s & p and Gruyere cheese and bake for 12 – 15 min. Serve hot. Bon Apetit!
#3 – Cheesy Hot Crab Dip
This recipe is from an old Southern Living Magazine. It’s fast and easy to make and oh so yummy. Pair it with some crusty french bread or crostini crackers.
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz.) package light cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I like Duke’s – it’s a Southern thing for you yankee friends)
- 1 T lemon juice
- 1 T Tabasco Sauce
- 3 Scallions finely chopped
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning (go ahead and add more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 6 oz good lump crabmeat
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Blend cream cheese and mayo until creamy, add all other ingredients except parmesan and mix well.
Put in a baking dish and then add parmesan cheese to top and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min ….
Best thing- you can make this a day ahead and refigerate until you are ready to bake it
#4 – Make Ahead Cheese Crackers
These warm, crispy chewy rich cheddar crackers with a bit of a kick will delight your family & friends. And best of all, they are fast to make, easy to keep in freezer (already cut) and bake. I love things ready to go because you never know when you might just need it.
A perfect happy hour appetizer for the Fall chillier weather -goes so well with a crisp pinot grigio or a buttery chardonnay. Or serve with a nice warm soup like Tomato Basil or my Butternut Squash soup (recipe below) ~
- 8 oz grated cheddar cheese
- 4 oz grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- cayenne pepper to tast
- 8 T softened unsalted butter
- 2 T water
In food processor, place all the ingredients except butter & water. Add butter in pieces on pulse and all water 1 T at a time pulsing until dough begins to form (add a little more water if needed). Turn the dough out on a large piece of wax paper and then form into a log.. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours in wax paper and then slice into 1/4 inch slices.
Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 8 – 10 min. Turn crackers and bake for an additional 3 – 5 min. Serve warm or at room temperature. They will melt in your mouth!
This recipe care of The All American Cheese And Wine Book -at Amazon for only $27.83 (big discount from cover price and eligible for Prime). This is a beautiful hardcover book which would make a perfect Christmas gift for all those wine and cheese lovers in your life! …yes, I just went there…Christmas in October yikes #herebeforeyouknowit #shopearly 