Easiest

Advance prep:  Day of party so bread is fresh.

Last-minute prep:  Broiled about 1 minute before serving to melt the cheese.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh mozzarella
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned, in olive oil, drained
• 1 baguette

Steps to prepare:

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Slice baguettes into rounds, about 3/8” thick.
3. Slice mozzarella into 24 pieces about 3/8” thick
4. Cover baguette round with a slice of mozzarella.
5. Top with 2-4 sun-dried tomato slivers.
6. Broil for about 1 minute, until cheese melts.

Note: Stay next to the oven while broiling the bites. It takes about a minute for the cheese to melt and about one more minute to burn!

Easy

Advance prep:  Day of party so ingredients are fresh.

Last-minute prep:  None.

 

Ingredients:

• ½ pound smoked salmon, sliced thin
• 8 slices pumpernickel bread
• Cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Capers
• Lemon zest 

Steps to prepare:

1. Spread cream cheese on the slices of bread.
2. Use a biscuit or cookie cutter to cut out bite-size (1 3/4" - 2") shapes in the bread and salmon.  A selection of biscuit/cookie cutters are available at hobby stores.
3. Place the salmon over bread bases of the same shape.
4. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
5. Garnish with lemon zest and 3-5 capers.
   

Easy

Advance prep:  Day before party and refrigerate.

Last-minute prep:  None.

 

Ingredients:

• ½ pound thinly sliced prosciutto
• 1 ripe cantaloupe or honeydew melon

Steps to prepare:

1. Cut prosciutto slices lengthwise into 32 strips.
2. Cut melon in half lengthwise & scoop out seeds.
3. Cut into eight wedges and remove rinds.
4. Cut each of the eight pieces in quarters and wrap with prosciutto.
5. Use a toothpick to hold together.

Easy

Advance prep:  Mix topping the day before party and refrigerate.

Last-minute prep:  3 hours before party, cut & top cucumbers.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 7-oz. can of tuna, drained
• ¼ cup currents
• ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped chutney
• Curry powder to taste
• ¼ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 seedless cucumbers

Steps to Prepare:

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cut cucumber into slices less about ¼” thick.
3. Spoon tuna mixture onto each cucumber slice.

Easy

Advance prep:  Prepare the day before.

Last-minute prep:  Bake 12-15 minutes before serving.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup chopped pepperoni
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 2 packages refrigerated biscuits (10 each)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps to prepare:

1. Combine mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce.
2. Separate biscuits and flatten to 3+ inch circles.
3. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in each circle.
4. Bring edges of circle together and pinch together to seal.
5. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet.
6. Brush with milk.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

...more to come!