STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Cricket · Gucci

good dip/ appetizer recipes for a large group?

laken1 · Hermes

Not very original but you could do a 7 layer taco kind of dip. I know there are tons of recipes floating around but i feel like i've perfected mine, if I may say so myself! And it's really better if it sits a while. I'll post my recipe if you are interested. I'll post recipes anyway while I'm sitting here working waiting on the stupid phone to ring.

I also do some KILLER marinated mushrooms that are easy & need to sit for 24 hours, so they are perfect for this type of deal.

i've never brought home left overs of either of these things when I make it.

Marinated Mushrooms
2 pts small fresh mushrooms - I use the baby bellas if I can find them.
2/3 cup tarragon vinegar
1/2 cup salad oil (corn or canola)
2 med cloves of garlic
1 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
black pepper to taste
2 TBSP water
few dashes of Tabasco (to taste)
1 med purple onion cut into rings.

Use a large bowl with a cover. Add all ingredients except mushrooms & onions. Cover & refridgerate 8 hours, stirring several times. Remove garlic & add mushrooms & onions.

Ok, that's how the recipe reads, here are my modifications. I didn't even realize it until I was typing this. I double it even if I'm just making them for around the house. I put literally at least a whole head of garlic - I break it up & cut each "clove" i guess in half, but we are garlic fanatics. Also, I mix all of the stuff & then I do go ahead & put the onions & mushrooms in there for the whole time - I think they get better the longer they sit in the marinade. I think they are better but hold them out if you want them more firm. I don't remove the garlic, but again the anti-vampire people.

7 Layer taco dip
Layer 1 - 2 cans of bean dip - I have also used a whole can of regular refried beans - i like it both ways
Layer 2 - 3 avocados, smashed w/salt, pepper, & lemon juice - I usually don't feel like doing this so I use 2 cans of the guacamole dip that is by the sour cream at the store - so good
Layer 3 - 1 8 oz sour cream, 1/2 cup mayo, 1 packet taco seasoning mixed together
Layer 4 - 4 cups (16 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
Layer 5 - 3 sm tomatoes chopped - once I used a can of rotel & i've never gone back to the regular tomatoes. I just squish it out of the can & I also drip a little of the juice on it. Yum
Layer 6 - Small can of sliced black olives
Layer 7 - green onions - I never put them because I don't like them but that's my preference.

So So good. I want some right now. Serve with Tortilla chips

Thought of a few more - this one goes with your Mexican theme - also always a hit
(I also have a spinach version of this that isn't mexican either)
Pinwheels
4 oz sour cream
8 oz cream cheese
1 pkg med flavored taco seasoning
picante sauce
1 pkg flour tortillas.

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, taco seasoning, & enough picante sauce to give it color. Spread mixture on tortillas & roll. Cut into bite sized pieces - serve with picante. Optional: can add mince black olives (i never have though).
Also, if you make these ahead, line the bottom of your tray with damp paper towels & also put damp paper towels over them so the tortillas don't get hard.

This one isn't mexican in any way but it's so good & I forgot about it til I got my book out!
Broccoli Dip
2 10 oz pkg frozen broccoli
1 chopped onion
4 oz can mushrooms
2 6 oz rolls of garlic cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 can cream of mushroom
Boil brocolli until tender. Saute onions & mushrooms in butter. Mix cheese, soup, brocolli, with the onion/mushrooms. Serve warm.
I serve this with variety pack of Peperidge Farm crackers or Sociables if I'm feeling cheap. I hate keeping stuff warm so I rarely make it but it's yummy.

-- Edited by laken1 at 17:42, 2006-03-15

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Warning I haven't tried this one yet:

Grilled Margarita Shrimp for Two (Its probably not hard to double or triple the recipe to make appetizers out of it)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup margarita mix (from 33.z. bottle)

2 tablespoons tequila

12 shelled deveined uncooked large shrimp with tails left on

1. Soak 4 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. In 1-quart resealable food storage plastic bag, combine cilantro, garlic, margarita mix and tequila. Add shrimp; seal bag and shake to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate.

2. Meanwhile, heat grill. (See note below for alternative cooking instructions)

3. When ready to grill, thread shrimp on skewers; discard marinade. Place shrimp on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches over medium coals. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, turning several times.

Or

Note To broil shrimp, place skewered shrimp on broiler pan; broil 4 to 6 inches from heat using times above as a guide, turning several times.

This one I make quite often for parties and it is a hit. You can sub shrimp for crawfish. Just use the salad or small size shrimp in the freezer section.

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=44784&subForumID=102168 &action=viewTopic&commentID=2072478&topicPage=17

I'll see what else I have at home when I leave work.

-- Edited by Aurora at 17:42, 2006-03-15

bumblebee · Coach

you could make a big spinach and artichoke (or crab) dish in your crockpot.

bonus points (obvs.) if you use the nascar one.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

bumblebee wrote:

you could make a big spinach and artichoke (or crab) dish in your crockpot. bonus points (obvs.) if you use the nascar one.

haha bumblebee. My mom makes the spinach dip on the back of one of the lipton soup mixes. I'll check for it at kroger and report back tonight as to which mix she uses. Everyone loves it.

one more dip.

2 packages (8oz each) philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Kraft Thick and Spicy Original Barbeque Sauce

1/3 cup (1/2 of 2.8 oz package) Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Recipe Pieces

1 small tomato chopped

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/3 cup sliced green onions

1 1/2 cups Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese

spread cream cheese onto 12 inch platter or pizza pan, top with bbq sauce

sprinkle with remaining ingredients

serve with scoop-shaped corn chips or tortilla chips

-- Edited by Aurora at 17:58, 2006-03-15

LoMish · Kate Spade

My mom does a really simple dip that is delicious!

You take 1 pkg of Philidelphia Cream Cheese, and take one bottle of "Pickapepper" sauce (not sure if spelling is right..but it's a small little bottle found near salad dressings and condiments at grocery stores) and pours some of the bottle over the cream cheese...then spreads wheat thins around it, or any cracker for that matter---but it is really good and super simple

laken1 · Hermes

LoMish wrote:

My mom does a really simple dip that is delicious!

You take 1 pkg of Philidelphia Cream Cheese, and take one bottle of "Pickapepper" sauce (not sure if spelling is right..but it's a small little bottle found near salad dressings and condiments at grocery stores) and pours some of the bottle over the cream cheese...then spreads wheat thins around it, or any cracker for that matter---but it is really good and super simple

oh yum. i love cream cheese & pickapepper.