Party Appetizer Recipes from a Foodie at Violettes

Party Appetizer Recipes from Becky are always in demand. Some of you may know that I love to cook. I have a ridiculous collection of recipes in my house. Even though I most often quickly grab recipes off the internet, I still love going thru my paper stash when planning a party.In the last few years, I have cooked for several music performance fundraising parties.***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************This Jalapeno Recipe (tweeked by me) is better than the one that is found on-line.   I subsititute part low fat ricotta for some of that too heavy cream cheese.  They have become a favorite party appetizer recipe in our household.First, I would like to give you an opportunity to enter our Drawing!

Jalapeno Poppers in Puff Pastry Blanket

12 medium size Jalapenos (choose straight ones)4 oz. lowfat cream cheese1/2 Cup lowfat Ricotta Cheese3/4 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar4 cloves roasted garlic3 strips bacon, cooked to a crisp, then broken into small pieces24 Puff pastry Squares, cut into squares about 2.5 by 2.5 inchesPreheat oven to 400 degrees.Split jalapeno pepper lengthwise and cores seeds and membrane (wearing rubber gloves). If you want them extra hot, you can leave a few seeds in them. In mixing bowl, combing cream cheese, ricotta, shredded cheese, raoseted garlic, and bacon bits. Mix well.Stuff each half of the jalapenos with the mixture. Place jalapeno diagonally on the puff pastry, stuffing down, and wrap around Jalapeno, pinching all edges tightly. You can freeze at this point.Or, Brush a mixture of 1 egg yolk with 3 T water, and brush on top of each pepper.Spray baking pan (cookie sheet) with cooking spray and bake about 12 minutes, or until golden brown (20 minutes if frozen). Note 1: to roast a whole garlic bulb, cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the bulb, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in aluminum oil and roast in 400 degree oven about 30 minutes or until browned and carmelized. This can be made in advance.Note 2: The puff pastry is very fattening. Before I use it, I roll it very thin, them  cut into the best shape and size to fit my peppers. You'll know after wrapping 1 or 2.________________________________________________________________________________

Greek Chicken Pillows

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubesMarinate overnight or 6 hours in:juice of 1 lemon3T. Olive Oil1/4 t. salt3 cloves fresh garlic, minced2 t. Oregano2 t fresh or dried mint2 t. basilLay filo leaf on a cookie sheet. Cut in half, lengthwise. Brush each half with melted butter or olive oil. Then fold in half and brush again. Put spoon full of chicken cubes @ one end, along length. Roll up half way, then fold the edges in and roll the rest of the way. You can freeze them at this point.If you've made them ahead of time, put in oven frozen on cookie sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes or longer until golden.I make 3 to 4 times this recipe to fill up whole filo package for a party.Note 1: Store in single layers (not touching an adjacent roll between plastic wrap. (Don't use wax paper or foil, as they will tear when trying to pull frozen pieces off) to freeze.Note 2: The filo comes in 2 different sizes these days. so cutting in half means two different things. it actually doesn't matter so much which direction, as you can make whatever size appetizers you like.Note 3:  If you are not use to working with filo dough, defrost over one or 2 nights in the refrigerator. You need to work quickly, preferably in a cold environment on a marble board if you have one; or keep the dough covered with a cold damp cloth when not using so they don't end up all sticking together before you use them. You are welcome to email or call me if you have any problems.Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. RMChaffee@Comcast.netparty appetizer recipes partyappetizerrecipespartyappetizerrecipes gifts for guitar players gifts for music lovers more gifts for music lovers violin purse guitar purse gifts for piano players partyappetizerrecipespartyappetizerrecipesappetizerrecipespartyappetizerrecipes party appetizer recipesWe hope you enjoyed the Party Appetizer Recipes. Please comment and let us know if you want more.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&