Hey girls. I volunteered to have a party and I need appetizer recipes. Quick easy ones please as I have two kids to babysit up until the party.

I was thinking I would do some fruit and maybe a few veggies plus a desert cheeseball. Other than that...HELP! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

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One I've done before if it's a casual party is good old pigs in a blanket. They always disappear. Crescent rolls, lil smokies, cut each triangle in half and roll one smokie, and bake with the normal directions for the rolls. I serve them with regular yellow mustard for dipping.

Mmmm...what else...lemme think.

Don't forget about EASY peach cobbler if you want something sweet too. It is a BIG hit at parties, very cheap and easy.

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Are you doing forks/plates? You can do pasta salad, easy and pretty. Rainbow rotini (spiral) pasta, little bits of fresh broccoli, a can of sliced black olives, chopped salami, salt/pepper, garlic powder, italian dressing, parmesan cheese.

Mmmm...still thinking...

I have a recipe for a sour cream kahlua dressing for fruit (I think there's only like three ingredients) that you just mix and serve. It's YUMMY.

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Slice of Brie topped with apricot preserves, heat in mirco serve with some yummy crackers.

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Oh yeah, that reminds me of one you see around here: a block of (room temp) cream cheese with a jar of salsa poured over top and served with tortilla chips.

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Bacon wrapped dates

Get pitted dates and stuff with a pecan piece or an almond. Cut bacon slices into three pieces and wrap stuffed date with a piece. Use a toothpick to hold together. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes (till bacon looks done)

Recipes : Pecan-Stuffed Dates : Food Network

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Going off of Steph's cream cheese suggestion, we sometimes will have a softened cream cheese block, and on top of it have pesto on the left and sundried tomatoes on the right. It ends up looking like the Italian flag, green white and red. Serve with Carter's crackers and you're all set!

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I think some people do some type of apricot spread too on the cream cheese. Or raspberry. Is it apricot chipotle or something like that? I don't personally care for it, but a lot of folks do.

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No cream cheese recipes remember...Everything else. I always do pepper jelly on top of cream cheese or apricot preserves...Both YUMMY! I am already doing a cheese ball. Wanted to do tortilla roll-ups but they have cream cheese in mostly all those recipes....Hmm keep thinking girls!

I may just do a pasta salad Steph that is a great idea. Hadn't thought of that.

I need a meat type thing...I could do the pigs in a blanket or sausage balls...Not sure yet.

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Karen - I was going to suggest sausage balls. You could also do chicken salad w/ crackers, so that you don't have to have a ton of it.
I LOVE 7 layer dip.

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7 layer bean dip would be good. Or I have the YUMMIEST fruity dessert recipe...it is ALWAYS the 1st thing to go.

Cookie Fruit Salad

16 oz cool whip
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup buttermilk
1 package fudgestripped cookies, crushed.

Literally - dump everything into a bowl and mix well. Regrigetate at least 1 hour before serving. (you don't make the pudding, just dump the contents of the package in with everything else.) You won't regret making this! It only takes about 5 minutes. I love it!

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Frozen already cooked shrimp is really easy. Serve on ice with cocktail sauce.

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Yeah shrimp was a thought too. Thanks Laura

And Kelly DUH I hadn't thought of chicken salad. I think that is what I will make with some small crossaints maybe. Yeah that sounds good!

Jenna- Aren't the cookies all mushy? Sounds yummy though. You have peaked my interest!

Now is when I miss Sam's. We had one right by my house that closed now I would have to drive to Johnson City to get to one and we let our membership expire so that would mean renewing on top of what I buy. They do have some great heat andserve appetizers though. Also they have great fruit and veggie trays already made. I may have to make a trip if I run low on time.

Thanks girls and keep them coming if you think of anything else.

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Karen~ Nope, the cookies aren't mushy. If you had leftovers (which we NEVER do) it can get mushy after a day or so. But they pretty much stay the right consistancy. Try it sometime....it's also good if you do 1 cup of sweetened condenced milk instead of buttermilk!

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OMG quit talking about the fudge stripe cookies.. I love those darn things!! I want some NOW!

Okay so here is what I think I will make...Tell me what you think or what i need to add...

Chicken Salad with bagel chips to serve it on.

Fruit- jsut mixing Pineapple chunks, strawberries,probably cantaloupe and maybe grapes

Veggies- Broc, Cauli, Carrot sticks and will throw some cheese squares on the platter too.

Raspberry shorbet cheeseball with graham sticks or lorna doones

Now here is my delimma..Do I need anything else? Something salty or sweet? I thought of a Lemon poundcake? Wanted to keep everything light and Summery. What do you girls think? I could always add a block of cream cheese with Salsa or pepper jelly?

Then to drink I will do a flavored tea and all types of soft drinks plus water.

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Karen ~ Yum sounds great to me! Am I invited? For something salty you can just buy a jar of mixed nuts. Put in a serving dish obviously. Are you serving any dips with the fruit and veggies?

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Probably no dip with the fr uit but yes with the veggies. Do you think do the pound cake? I think I will jsut because if it doesn't get eaten Darren will eat it with his friends this weekend. ya know.

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