Nibbles in No Time

Make these party starters for fuss-free entertaining-even after work.

"You're ready to entertain if you rely on the Girl Scout motto 'Be prepared.'" That advice comes from Jill Kucera, mom and owner of Catering Works in Raleigh, North Carolina. We've included some of the key items Jill keeps on hand in her pantry and refrigerator to get the party started. "You'll stay calm, and guests will be impressed," she says. "Set up an informal table, add the nibbles, add the beverages, add the friends, and you're ready. " -CHARLA DRAPER

Fig-and-Blue Cheese Bruschetta

MAKES 12 APPETIZER SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN., BROIL: 4 MIN., BAKE: 10 MIN.

This is one of Jill's most requested holiday recipes-and we can see why.

36 (¼-inch-thick) French baguette slices

1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

½ cup (2 oz.) crumbled blue cheese

½ cup fig preserves or jam

1: Broil French baguette slices on a baking sheet 3 inches from heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted. Remove baking sheet, and reduce oven temperature to 350°.

2. Stir together cream cheese and blue cheese in a small bowl until well blended. Spread a heaping ½ tsp. cream cheese mixture onto each baguette slice; top each with a rounded ½ tsp. fig preserves.

3. Bake at 350° on middle rack for 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Braswell's Fig Preserves.

FAR LEFT: During peak entertaining season, caterer Jill Kucera suggests that you keep an eye on available refrigerator space when planning what you'll serve.

LEFT: Greet your guests with appetizers, such as Fig-and-Blue Cheese Bruschetta and Pimiento Cheese Spread With Vegetables, that take 15 minutes or less to prepare.

Fast Appetizers

Jill's list of staple ingredients includes blocks of natural cheese, ready-to-use salsa, pesto, pimiento cheese spread, Melba toast rounds, assorted crackers, and chilled wine or sparkling fruit juice. Here are a few of her speedy ideas.

Quick Cheese Tray: Slice 1 (8-oz.) block sharp Cheddar or Havarti cheese crosswise into ¼-inch-thick slices. Cut 1 (8-oz.) Edam cheese round into quarters. Cut each quarter into 2 pieces, keeping wax intact. Arrange cheese on tray. Serve with Melba toast rounds, crackers, grapes, and pear slices.

Jalapeño Cream Cheese Appetizer: Place 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese on a serving dish. Spoon ½ cup Jalapeno pepper jelly over cream cheese. Garnish with pickled Jalapeno pepper rings and a sprig of cilantro. Serve with bite-size corn chips.

Pimiento Cheese Spread With Vegetables: Spoon 2 cups prepared pimiento cheese into a small serving bowl or 4 (4-oz.) ramekins. Serve with celery sticks and baby carrots.

Pronto Salsa Layered Dip: Mix 2 cups salsa (drain off excess liquid to keep mixture thick) with 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice; spread on bottom of a large, shallow platter. Spread 1½ cups guacamole over salsa, leaving a 1-inch border of salsa around edges. Spoon ¼ cup sour cream into a small zip-top plastic bag. Snip 1 corner of bag; pipe sour cream across top of guacamole in a decorative pattern. Sprinkle with 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese and ¼ cup chopped dlantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2006
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