Shakin & Bakin Foodie Blog

As we usher out the old year, it is now time to usher in a new one and along with that comes hosting and/or attending several New Year's Eve parties. When it comes to hosting one, I am big on serving appetizers and beverages.

Your appetizers don't need to be time consuming and elaborate, they just need to taste good so that all of your hungry guests come back for seconds. When it comes to great tasting party appetizers, here are a few of my favorite recipes.

Delicious Swedish Meatballs Recipe

2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 envelope brown gravy mix
6 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 can beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream

Combine ground beef, salt, nutmeg, milk, egg, cream cheese, onion soup mix and bread crumbs in a large bowl. Mix the mixture using your hands and roll into 1 inch balls. (makes about 35 balls). Place on foil-lined jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat bouillon. Add meatballs; cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Stir in gray mix to thicken. Remove frying pan from heat and stir in the sour cream. Place in a crock pot or warmer so that you can serve them warm at your party.

Delicious Crab Meat Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

2 lb. fresh mushrooms
1 lb. crab meat
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of ground black pepper
1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs
Old Bay Seasoning (tm)

Remove stems from mushrooms. Chop stems and combine with crab meat, butter, salt and pepper. Mix well. Stuff mushroom caps with the crab meat mixture. Top with buttered bread crumbs. Sprinkle lightly with Old Bay Seasoning.

Spicy Hot Chicken Wings

24 chicken wings
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 tbsp. white vinegar
2 pkgs. Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dip chicken wings in mixture of melted butter, pepper sauce and vinegar. Place in a baking pan. Sprinkle with 1 package of dry dressing mix. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Turn wings and add the second package of dressing mix. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and sprinkle paprika on top while the wings are still hot.

Delicious Crab Ball Appetizers

1 lb. crab meat, finely chopped
1/2 cup canned water chestnuts, finely chopped
1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
4 large egg whites
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together all ingredients, except 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs until well blended. Form into 1" balls and roll in the remaining 1/2 cup of crumbs. On a lightly oiled baking sheet, bake for 12-15 minutes or until crab balls are crisp and golden brown. Serve with soy sauce or a mustard dip.

Shelly Hill has personal written this article. Article is copyright 2010 by Shelly Hill, All Rights Reserved.