Easy Gourmet Appetizers
The next time you have a party or invite a few guests over, consider serving gourmet appetizers that don't take much time to prepare. For example, serve a large plate with an assortment of olives, cheese and crackers for a simple, gourmet appetizer.
Candied Pecans
If pressed for time, make candied pecans in just a few minutes with only pecans, brown sugar and orange juice. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Combine and stir 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/4 cup of orange juice in a bowl. Add pecans to coat them, then spread the pecans on an oiled baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, stirring at times. Remove the pecans and allow them to cool. You will have 2 cups of candied pecans to serve.
Fruit Dip
Fruit dip, another simple gourmet appetizer, takes just a few minutes to prepare, but refrigerate it for the best results. Blend 1 cup of plain, nonfat yogurt with 1/4 cup of orange juice, 1/4 cup of white sugar and 1 tbsp. of grated orange peel. Fold in 2 cups of thawed, whipped topping, stir and keep it refrigerated for about two hours. When you remove the bowl from the refrigerator, arrange pieces of cut fruit around the bowl for dipping, like apples and pears as well as strawberries.
Garlic Shrimp
After heating about 1 cup of extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet, add four cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 cup of minced parsley and stir quickly for about 10 seconds on medium high heat. Add 2 lbs. of medium-sized, deveined shrimp and cook for three to four minutes until the shrimp turn pink. Add salt to taste and place the shrimp with the oil, parsley and garlic into small bowls. Serve with thick, crusty bread.
Gourmet Veggie Dip
In a bowl, add an 8 oz. package of soft cream cheese, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, a jar of chopped roasted red peppers (pour out the liquid), 1/4 tsp. black pepper and about 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper to taste. Mix well, cover and refrigerate fo an hour. Serve with chopped vegetables like celery sticks, broccoli, carrot sticks and cauliflower. Whole grain crackers go well with this dip also.
Cheese and Bread
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. This dish requires 8 to 12 oz. of feta cheese or marinated goat cheese which you break into chunks in an ovenproof dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until browned, remove from the oven and add 1/2 tsp. of whole peppercorns, sprinkling all with olive oil. Serve this appetizer along with a sliced loaf of French bread and a Beaujolais Nouveau wine.
Tags: orange juice, your oven degrees, Bake minutes, brown sugar, candied pecans, Easy Gourmet, Easy Gourmet Appetizers
