Seven simple ingredients go into the food processor and this appetizer is done!  A perfect make-ahead dip for your simple celebration. We served it with pita bread and rainbow carrots, but you could use whatever you have on hand – crackers, fresh veggies, breadsticks, etc.

Something different to add to your simple celebration appetizer collection.  Warm, creamy cheese spread on top of a slice of baguette – delicious!

Print

Baked Ricotta

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes chopped
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1 tsp fresh Rosemary chopped (optional)
• olive oil to drizzle on top
• baguette sliced

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Spray small baking dish with cooking spray.
• Mix together cheese, tomatoes, salt and pepper.
• Place in baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 45 minutes.
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Bread can be toasted or left plain.  

If you need an appetizer that requires no cooking, comes together in less than five minutes and is easy to transport, this shrimp dip is for you!

Print

Cold Shrimp Appetizer

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 140kcal

Ingredients

• 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese softened
• 2 Tbsp light mayonnaise
• 4 1/2 ounce can deveined shrimp rinsed and drained OR cooked shrimp
• 3 Tbsp dried minced onions or 1/4 cup minced fresh onion
• 1 Tbsp fresh dill minced
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

• Mix cream cheese and mayo until creamy.    
• Add onion, dill, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce and stir.
• Fold in the shrimp and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Serve with your favorite crackers.

We love smoked salmon and wanted to develop a dip that was on the “lighter” side.  In order to do this, we used creme fraîche instead of typical cream cheese.  The cucumber adds a fresh crunch to the other delicious flavors.  This dip turned out great.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Print

Smoked Salmon Dip with dill and cucumber

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces smoked salmon chopped
• 7 ounces creme fraîche
• 1/2 cucumber peeled seeded and diced
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 2 tsp rinsed capers
• 6 dashes hot sauce
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
• 3 Tbsp red onion minced (optional)

Instructions

• Place creme fraîche in a medium bowl.  Stir until smooth.  
• Add the remaining ingredients and fold together, being careful not to break up the salmon.
• Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.  Serve with crackers.

This dip will be the first gone at the party!  The recipe can’t be any easier  – only 2 ingredients!!

Print

Yummy Two Ingredient Dip

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 15 ounces Prepared Spinach & Artichoke Dip
• 1/2 cup grated 5 Italian Cheese more if you like it really cheesy

Instructions

• Place dip in a microwave dish.  Add cheese and stir.   
  
• Microwave until cheese melts, about 1 minute.
• Stir and serve with tortilla chips.

This appetizer can be as spicy as you want – it all depends on the level of heat in the salsa you use.

Print

Hot and Spicy Shrimp Dip

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 can artichoke hearts 14 oz., drained and diced
• 1 can medium deveined shrimp 4 oz. or fresh cooked shrimp, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 package low fat cream cheese 3 oz., softened
• 1/2 cup low fat mayo
• 1/2 cup salsa - mild medium or hot can be used as well
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3 green onions sliced

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°.  
• Combine all ingredients except green onions and put in a pretty pie or quiche plate. 
• Bake for 20 minutes. 
• Top with green onions. 
• Serve with vegetables, vegetable chips (we like Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips) or whole wheat crackers.

Below is a simple, yet delicious hummus recipe to add to your appetizer table for your simple celebration.  Hummus is not the prettiest of food, but by adding toppings and using attractive serving pieces, it will be irresistible!

Print

Hummus

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 10

Ingredients

• 1 can garbanzo beans/chick peas
• 1/3 cup liquid from canned beans
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 cup tahini sesame seed paste - be sure to stir well
• olive oil
• paprika
• pine nuts
• Kalamata olives
• pita bread
• celery

Instructions

• Drain the beans and save the bean liquid. 
• In a food processor with metal blade, puree the beans along with reserved bean liquid (1/3 cup) with all ingredients up to the olive oil. 
• Taste for seasoning and refrigerate.
• We recommend putting the hummus in two bowls.  In one, mix in four chopped Kalamata olives and sprinkle a few on top.  In the other bowl, toast a tablespoon of pine nuts, add a few to the hummus, and sprinkle the rest on top with a drizzle of olive oil and paprika. 
• Toast pita bread in 350° oven for about ten minutes, then cut into triangles.  Serve hummus with toasted pita triangles and celery at room temperature. 
• Hummus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

Other suggestions for additions to the hummus are sun-dried tomatoes, lemon & dill, or anything your heart desires.