Tasty, Economical Appetizers for the Game, Potluck or Party

Recipes for tasty, easy, economical appetizers are tough to find. Be it a party or game day, the last thing you want to do is spend the entire day preparing food and cooking. And if it is cheap, all the better. The following are tried and true recipes my family has been serving for years. If you are health conscious, please substitute non-fat or light ingredients for those shown. Enjoy!

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese - room temperature

16 oz sour cream

8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

1 5 oz jar dried beef - chopped

1 loaf round Hawaiian bread

Method

Mix together cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, Worcestershire, and dried beef. Mix well. Cut a lid out of the bread and remove the inside bread creating a bowl. Spoon mixture into bread and place lid on top. Wrap bread with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Serve with leftover toasted bread and Fritos.

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tablespoon cajun spices

2 teaspoon garlic powder

16 jalapeno pepper

16 slices bacon, cut in half

toothpicks

Method

Preheat grill to medium. Mix first three ingredients. Slice jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Fill each half with cheese mixture. Wrap each with a piece of bacon and stick a toothpick through it. Place on grill and cook until bacon is crispy, about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

2 6 oz cans fancy crab-meat

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon parsley

2 teaspoon dry sherry

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Method

Mix all ingredients. Chill 2 hours or more. Serve with bread or crackers.

Ingredients

1 cube butter (or 4 oz margarine)

3 10 oz boxes frozen spinach, drained

1 large onion, chopped

6 garlic cloves, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

prepared stuffing

flour

Method

Melt butter and saute onions and garlic. Add spinach and saute for 30 minutes. Add 1/2 box stuffing. Season with salt and pepper. Make balls and roll in flour. Bake at 300 for 30 minutes.

Ingredients

3/4 lb Gruyere cheese, grated

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon cognac

Method

Toss together first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Heat wine in chafing dish on med-low heat. When hot, add cheese mixture slowly and stir constantly. When smooth, add cognac. Serve warm in fondue pot with crusty french bread.

Ingredients

1/4 lb bay shrimp, cleaned

1 cup spaghetti, cooked

1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

3 tablespoon mayonnaise

salt and pepper to taste

Method

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.

Ingredients

1 lb cream cheese, room temperature

3 tablespoon sour cream

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

2 cucumbers, seeded and cut up

Method

Mix ingredients in food processor and chill. Serve with bread or crackers.