Christmas tree appetizer

I wanted to share this right away thinking maybe someone would like to make this for Christmas.  It's a little late  maybe for now but how about New Years?  

 My Christmas Project!

The base is a Styrofoam cone from a craft store. Cover it with saran wrap.  Place cone on a glass tray.  To make sure cone stays in place put double face tape on the bottom of the cone to secure it.

The rest is up to you.

Thin salami, pepperoni, various hard cheese, peppers, hot and sweet, olives the list is endless.  Just remember to buy some nice colored toothpicks and use a pretty platter to display.

Ok I'm back and hopefully these photos will help with the actual process of making the tree.  Enjoy!

Variety of items

 

Start at the bottom and work up the cone.

At the top add a few cherry tomatoes for height.

 

Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate.  My cone was the smaller size of two that were available.  Since I didn't knew I wouldn't have a lot of refrigerator space I opted for the smaller one.  Had the weather been cooler I would have been able to store in our garage but this year has been unseasonably warm.

It was a big hit as you can see.  Not much left.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From my kitchen to yours,

Buffalo Chicken Appetizer ring

Company's coming or you don't know what to make for Saturday's dinner well I'm thinking this has to be one of the best recipes for those lovin spicy chicken buffalo.

We had a few friends over the last night and one of my appetizers was this ring.  I decided last year that when I entertain I was only going to have depending on how many we were entertaining 5 appetizers.  2 hot ones and 3 cold ones and two sweet treats. 

I am so happy I did just that. I actually enjoyed my guests and was able in the a.m. to go to breakfast with some friends.  I took the monkey off my back and made it easy for me.  I'd say it's about time!

For some reason I and others like me think we have to put huge amounts of food on our table when we have family and guests visiting.  Not so.  I found concentrating on a few good items is the best way to go. I made my list last week and while I was grocery shopping picked up the items that I needed for these recipes.

It seems most things I made require cream cheese and Aldi's had it for .89 which was a great price. I won't tell you how many I bought but (8) is about the magic number.  I bought chips and pretzels and I made a pineapple creamcheese spread and a store bought sour cream french onion. We also had some fresh store bought shrimp which is always a hit and along with the warmed buffalo chicken ring I made a large loaf of french bread and stuffed it with a homemade artichoke and spinach creamy cheese filling. Another big hit!  So take it from me and make it easy on yourself and cut your menu in half.  We did have 4 couples last night and I had very little leftovers.  Actually enough for hubby and me to have for lunch today.  Here's the Buffalo Chicken recipe.  Enjoy!

Buffalo chicken ring

Stuffed french bread with creamy spinach artichoke filling.

 Buffalo Chicken Recipe (It's spicy) You can substitute BBQ sauce for the hot sauce if your guests don't care for spicy.

4 oz. cream cheese softened
1/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank's hot sauce)
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 
2 cans Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

Heat oven to 375.  In a small bowl mix cream cheese and hot sauce until smooth.  Mix in chicken until combined. Top crescent roll strips like below photo.  I put cheese on top instead of mixing it in.  Also add the Blue cheese crumbles before you seal.  Note:  I would next time mix all ingredients including blue cheese crumbles and then place on dough.  Just saying it might be easier.

Directions:  I'll photo show you the steps.
 
 

Bring pointed end toward center and tuck until dough.

  Bake 375 for 20 to 25 minutes carefully making sure to not get it too brown.

Cool about 5 minutes before cutting into serving slices.

Here are the other appetizers and desserts.

Rum Cake

muffin size cheese cake.  I topped them with strawberries.

Coconut dream cookies

•  Today it seems my computer is not handling the margins correctly so I'm going to get right to the point and share this very good coconut cookies recipe. Enjoy!
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•  3/4 Cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup of firm coconut oil
• 1 cup flour
•  1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup sweetened coconut
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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325º F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat.
2. Cream together the coconut oil (or shortening) and sugar until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Mix in the egg and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix into the shortening and sugar mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and coconut flakes.
3. Drop cookie dough by the tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1½-inches between each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookies have turned lightly brown and are set. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Adapted from Add a pinch . Com