Finger Food Suggestions

For humans, not cats!

A friend is having a gathering for about 50 people.  She has asked me for suggestions/help.  No cutlery.. just finger food.

I've come down with a virus and feel awful, but I don't want to leave her in the lurch.

So I'm looking for finger food that is easy to prepare, isn't too meaty, doesn't cost too much but looks and tastes impressive!  Sweet things are fine too, although they tend to be more easily bought.

If you can help, please leave suggestions here and I'll be incredibly appreciative

Crispy Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

http://www.chow.com/recipes/30697-crispy-prosciutto-wrapped-asparagus

Feel better, Mani!

How about some kind of a savory-type cream puff? Or you can fill pre-made filo shells with a corned beef mixture or something similar.

An antipasto tray? Grilled shrimp? An assortment of dips and salsas with pita chips

Go here, too:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238184/appetizers-and-beverages

If you're interested in putting together an antipasto tray, check out Post #3 in the above link....all kinds of ideas and suggestions for a nice tray.

Filo Onion Rolls

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 cups grated Gruyere, grated
2 onions, chopped
1/4 cup butter
9 sheets filo dough, thawed
More melted butter, about 1/3 cup

Mix cream cheese and Gruyere. Set aside. Sauté onions in 1/4 cup butter until very soft and beginning to brown, about 10-15 minutes. Cool 20 minutes. Mix together onions and cheese mixture and refrigerate. Place one sheet filo dough on work surface. Brush with melted butter. Lay another sheet on top, brush that with melted butter. Put one more sheet on top.

Divide the onion mixture into thirds. Spoon mixture into the center of the filo dough, forming a roll about 1-inch in diameter, lengthwise down the dough. Roll the dough up carefully, cut the long roll in half, and place each half on a cookie sheet. Brush thoroughly with more butter. Repeat with remaining filo and filling, making three long rolls total (or six halves when cut). Place three halves on each cookie sheet. Chill overnight.

When ready to bake, remove cookie sheets from refrigerator and cut each roll into 1-inch pieces. Bake at 375 degrees 10-17 minutes, or until rolls begin to brown and cheese filling melts. Let stand 5 minutes, then serve. Serves 8-10.

Note: This is a great make ahead appetizer as you can prepare the rolls, then chill them overnight. You can even make them in advance and freeze them. Do not thaw before baking, just increase baking time to another 10 minutes or so.  google_ad_section_end

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Marinated Mozzarella

4 oz. block fresh mozzarella
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. diced red pepper
1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 tsp. whole peppercorns
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Cut mozzarella cheese in to 1/2-inch cubes; prick with a fork. Place in a glass bowl.

In a small saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Pour over cheese; toss gently to coat. Cover and chill for 24 hours. Yield 1/4 pound cheese cubes. Serve with toothpicks. google_ad_section_end

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Mexican Pinwheels

8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
Black olives chopped into small pieces
Green chiles
Shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 pkg. taco seasoning (to your taste)
Green onions (optional) Tortillas

Mix all ingredients together and spread onto tortillas. Roll flour tortillas up. Refrigerate for a couple of hours. Cut into strips. Serve with salsa.

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Hot Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

1 lb. large, fresh mushrooms
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Rinse mushrooms and pat dry. Remove and chop stems; set aside. Melt butter in large skillet. Brush mushroom caps with melted butter; place caps on lightly butter shallow baking or broiler pan. Add onion and mushroom stems to remaining butter in skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir lightly. Spoon filling into mushroom caps, piling high.

Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until hot. Serve hot. Makes about 16 appetizers.  google_ad_section_end

I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. I hope you feel better soon.

Grilled shrimp
Baked Brie with crackers
Pizzas or flatbreads cut into small pieces
Hummus on cucumber rounds or celery.
Small skewers with tomato, basil mozzarella or ham or cheese or anything really.

You're all wonderful!..   I can definitely use some of these..

The only problem I have is whether I'll be well enough.. I came down with a virus four days ago and I've got through the week's classes, but it seems to be getting worse.  I really want to be able to help my friend.  Her husband was recently awarded an OAM (Order of the Medal of Australia) and the party is to congratulate him.

I hope you're feeling better soon Mani! And congratulations to your friend.

If you are sick maybe it's best not to cook for a bunch of people? If you have to make something, these olive cheese balls are super-easy, super-tasty, with only 4 ingredients. I usually also make some with black olives (and use white cheddar to tell them apart).

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/olive-cheese-balls/1a335df0-4d11-47ac-ad81-a810a626e6d9

Hope you are feeling better. 

SwampWitch said:

If you are sick maybe it's best not to cook for a bunch of people? If you have to make something, these olive cheese balls are super-easy, super-tasty, with only 4 ingredients. I usually also make some with black olives (and use white cheddar to tell them apart).

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/olive-cheese-balls/1a335df0-4d11-47ac-ad81-a810a626e6d9

Hope you are feeling better. 

Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with you and I was hoping my friend would agree, but I think she's relying on me.  I want to keep it really simple, wear a mask, wear gloves, the whole bit.  I have been ill for 5 days now, so am probably not so contagious.

Good old Betty Crocker!  However I'm really lowering my expectations, considering how I feel, and am going for very simple and able to be either made the day before or prepared really quickly (and I only have a tiny oven).

So far I'm going to go with tiny things.  She would like me to make things that it is easy for the young children to pass around:

• Pam's Marinated Mozerrella

• A meat one: just a small piece of sliced cold roast beef, blue cheese and a green grape on a toothpick

• Devilled eggs (I know, very 50s, but I have so many lovely organic eggs in the fridge going to waste... any other suggestions gratefully accepted!)

• A bite-sized one of a dried apricot topped with cream cheese and a walnut half

These are quick and easy, but I'm seriously open to any other ideas and probably need more.

I should mention that my friend is making sandwiches and sweet things.. It's certainly not all up to me.

UPDATE:

Thanks for your help everyone.. but I have a high fever and am giving up on this idea.. Swamp Witch is quite right.. I need to say I'm too ill to do this.

I've ordered a big sushi platter from a local restaurant.

But thank you so much for your help

Mani, I really think that's the best idea for you. You don't feel well and you won't enjoy doing much of anything. Lots of    for you to feel better soon.