Christmas party foods & appetizers - ideas?

Christmas party foods & appetizers - ideas? At some point, we're going to have most of our family in the area over for a chirstmas party. Typically, my wife organizes such things (I'm terrible at organizing!) however...with your help I think I can surprise her this year by pitching in more than usual with creative, fun ideas for christmas & holiday party foods and appetizers that will make our guests mouths water.

Please help? All ideas very much appreciated - thanks!

Here's a really simple recipe for a quick appetizer / finger food, and these are really tasty! And kudos to you for helping your wife during the busy holiday season!!

Sausage Balls

3 Cups Bisquick
2 Cups Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 Pound of fresh, ground sausage (Hot or mild)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. If not moist enough, add a little water. Form mixture into 1 - inch balls. Bake for 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels, if needed. Serve warm. This freezes well before or after baking.

Well, let me see. I like having fudge available for people. I use an easy recipe that doesn't require the old time hard-ball stage cooking but tastes so close to it that my mom thought it was! (I had a couple of non cooking men make it for their own selves and they even had great success with it).

I also love Texas cake because it tastes great and is easy to make. It is like the fudge. It is a 'spoiler' for special occasions. People think they are being richly treated!

Both of these super easy recipes I have available on line so they can be printed out. Just go to my web site here and look under the dessert category for them.

Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes:
http://www.geocities.com/Shangrala_Shangy/easy.html

Another one of our family favorites listed here is the date pudding. That is extra yummy but much harder to make. For those that want to give it a whirl, it is great with whipped cream topping! So special we feel blessed if we have it even just once a year.

Feel free to try any of the recipes. That is what I have them on line for - To share.

By the way, if you or any one here has a good recipe to share, please funmail it to me. I'll add it to the list to share with others.

Hope this helps you

I like italian food. Bruschetta makes a nice appetizer, bread covered with tomatillo based salsa made with cilantro. Baking holiday cookies is always a treat for a holiday party too!

Those little sausages 'pigs in a blanket' work wonders as well, last time we served them to guests they ate them up. Calamari is also a fun one too. Man, I'm hungry now.

Hope this helps.

RECIPE: TERIYAKI BEEF KABOBS

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INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c. soy sauce
3/4 c. apple juice, thawed
3 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated (1/2 tsp. dry ginger)
3 tbsp. sherry (optional)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 lb. flank steak, thinly sliced
1 med. onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 green pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
8 (6 inch) skewers

DIRECTIONS:
Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl or plastic
zip sealed bag and set aside. Place steak in a shallow
glass dish and pour marinade over meat (if you're using
a plastic bag just add the meat to the bag, close bag
and turn a few times to cover all with marinade. Cover
and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Remove meat from
marinade and place alternately with onion and green pepper
on skewers. (discard remaining marinade). Arrange skewers
on broiling pan and broil for 10 minutes, turning frequently.
Serve with rice.

* if using bamboo skewers soak them in a pan of water
for at least 30 minutes to an hour before using so they
do not burn.

Category: Beef, Main Dishes, Grill, Appetizers
Yield: 4 Servings of 2-each
http://www.thedailyrecipe.com

RECIPE: WHITE SALSA

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INGREDIENTS:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
juice from 3 limes
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cups finely chopped cilantro
6-ounce can black olives (pitted), drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups green onions, finely chopped
5 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream, mixing
well. Add lime juice, garlic, cilantro, black olives,
scallions, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Taste and
adjust seasonings for personal preference. Refrigerate for
2 hours before serving to allow flavors to blend. Serve with
tortilla chips.

Category: Appetizers, Dips
http://www.thedailyrecipe.com