A fancier version of a meat and cheese platter will impress guests.
The decor may be perfect and the guest list finalized, but no party is complete without the food. Make things easy on yourself and serve finger food appetizers. While the meat and cheese platter is a staple appetizer at many parties, it can get a little boring. Get a little creative and serve other meat and cheese appetizers sure to win the favor of your guests.
Meat and Cheese Kabobs
Put your favorite meat and favorite cheese together on a skewer. You can create cold skewers with thick chunks of pepperoni, salami and mozzarella balls. For hot meat and cheese skewers, combine blue cheese and ground beef to make mini blue cheese burgers and place those on a stick. Another idea is to thread a piece of sliced deli meat and thread it through a skewer with blocks of cheese in between.
Meat and Cheese Pastries
Hot, melted cheese blends well with meat wrapped up in a warm breaded or pastry crust. Take your favorite version of a meat and cheese pastry such as a stromboli, calzone or a ham and cheese turnover and either cut it up into small, bite-size portions, or make mini versions. As these are best-served warm, serve them on a hot plate or routinely place in the oven to keep warm during the party.
Sausage Cheese Balls
For this appetizer, use a variety of sausages, some mild and some spicy with different seasonings and flavors. Combine the sausage with complementary cheeses. For instance, combine a spicy pork sausage with cheddar cheese or combine a chicken sausage with feta cheese. Bake the sausages in the oven and serve with party toothpicks. Provide a dipping sauce as well.
Crostini
Get creative with this crusty bread appetizer by using different kinds of hot, cooked meat. Cook and thinly slice beef, chicken and turkey, and place them on small slices of French bread that has been brushed with melted butter. Layer meat with a slice of cheese and a vegetable if you would like. Bake the crostinis in the oven just until the cheese starts to melt and serve warm.
Tags: sausage with, blue cheese, cheese platter, make mini, meat cheese, meat cheese