Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 2/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: What kinds of appetizers, etc to serve for an August 50th anniversary celebration? Approximately 100-125 guests at our church. Family will prepare appetizers. Cake will be special ordered.Where can we get good recipes to follow?

ANSWER: You can get them for me if you like.  What would you like to serve?  I have about 33 THOUSAND tried and true recipes in my files from my internet group of 300 or so excellent home cooks.  Tell me what you want and I will send you a recipe scaled for a large group of people. I'm a wedding planner by trade so I use a lot of appetizer recipes from my files for my brides.  I will also send the recipe scaled for one batch so you can have a little tasting party if you like. Let me know!  Also, check with the Wal-mart bakery for their cakes.  I get the most gorgeous wedding cakes from them for about one TENTH what the wedding cake bakeries want to rip my brides off for!  They'll have pictures for you to look at and their cakes are delicious--no one can believe they come from Wal-mart!

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QUESTION: I'm not sure, so let me throw out some ideas and you help me pick the right things. Chocolate fountain with various fruits?
Maybe tea sandwiches or those Date appetizers or something on that line. There is a Mexican Shrimp/Seafood Cocktail  from a Houston restaurant that is fantastic.  It is served with Tortilla chips and something we might make. I want great tasting appetizers with stunning presentation, but I want things to blend well too.

ANSWER: Chocolate fountains are all the rage but they are 300-400 to rent. You might want to do it as a big dipping fondue.  I can give you sweet and spicy, here's a few ideas

Sweet and sour meatballs--stupid simple and people fight over them.
Fruit dip--made with cool whip and cream cheese and really good!
Finger sandwiches are a no brainer--ham salad, egg salad, chicken salad all good fillings.
Chicken wings are also really good and once cooked could be served with a variety of sauces.
Mini-Quiche bites--can be purchased frozen and cooked off on site
Hye rollers are also good--meat and cheese rolled in tortillas and sliced into pretty spirals.
Pan-fried dumplings (pot stickers) with ginger sauce always a hit
Pierogies are also a hit and can be purchased frozen and cooked there
Chilli-cheese dip--a huge crowd pleaser
Let me know if you need recipes!

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QUESTION: Teri, yes, please send recipes as these sound very good.  Also, I've eaten bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds that are wonderful!  Do you have this recipe, please send too.  Would this go with your other suggestions? Thanks so much.

Answer
Cut figs in half, push an almond into it and wrap it with a half slice of bacon and then broil, turning once, until bacon is crisp.
Sweet/sour meatballs--Costco Frozen meatballs and 3-4 quarts of sweet and sour sauce that can be purchased from any Chinese restaurant. Put it in a crock pot about 4 hours before serving, turn on high and walk away till party time!
Fruit dip: Sliced fruit of your choice. Mix 4 ounces of cream cheese with the big container of cool whip. Chill until serving time.
Mini-Quiche--buy them at Costco--Nancy's Quiche and bake them before serving.
Chicken wings can be purchased from any restaurant.
Chilli-cheese dip--in a large baking dish (9x13) spread 2 8oz packages of cream cheese. Top with two cans of Hormel chilli, then a layer of shredded colby or monterrey jack. Bake at 350 until bubbly and serve with Frito scoops.
Pot stickers: Buy them frozen and thaw them.  Fry in a little oil until browned on each side--make pierogies the same way.
Hye Rollers: put a couple of layers of deli meat and cheese on a tortilla. Roll up tightly and toothpick shut every 3/4 inch. Cut into spirals and serve.
Enjoy!