Halloween Party Appetizers

I love appetizers. They are dainty, fun and for those of us not on the cocktail party circuit, they are a special treat. When it comes to sharing Halloween recipes I always have to struggle because there are already so many cool recipes out there, and I don't like to repeat what's been done. I was looking through my Modern Encyclopedia for Cooking this morning, and my eye caught the appetizer section. Whether a party is for adults, kids, adults or a mix of all three, presentation is the key. An appetizer buffet can turn into a Halloween themed party by sprinkling the counter with Halloween themed confetti and decorating your home with pumpkins, flowers and other fall decor.

Everyone is so excited about their costumes it's often hard to get them to eat a full mean during Halloween festivities, but who can resist an buffet of appetizers?

Grape Shrub

3 cups grape juice

6 tsp. lemon juice

3/4 cup cold water

4 tbsp. sugar

dash salt

2 pints sherbet, orange or lime

Combine all the ingredients except the sherbet and chill thoroughly. Serve in juice glasses with a scoop of sherbet. Serves 12.

Note: Shrubs were traditional beverages made in Colonial times, always with fruit that was past it's prime. It was made as a syrup, sometimes with alcohol, but always with sugar and some type of acid such as lemon juice or vinegar to preserve it. Water was added to this to make the beverage as it was needed.

Apple Tempters

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. sugar

2 tbsp. water

2 tart red apples

slice of sharp cheese, 1/2 inch thick

1 stalk celery

Combine the lemon, sugar and water. Cut the unpeeled apple into 1/2 inch cubes. Marinate in the lemon mixture for an hour. Remove to drain. Cut the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and cut the celery in 1/2 inch lengths. On each toothpick stick a cube of cheese, apple and celery. Cover and store in the refrigerator to keep moist and cold til serving time. The apples will not discolor.

Makes 30-36.

Dried Beef Pin-Wheels

1/4 cup Roquefort cheese

2 drops Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. grated onion

5 whole slices dried beef

2 carrots

Mash the cheese and blend with the Worcestershire and onions. Spread on each slice of dried beef . Roll up as a jelly roll. Make rolls about 4 inches long and thick enough to be 3/4 inch in diameter. Chill. Then cut into 1/2 inch lengths. Cut slender carrots into 1/8 inch thick crosswise slices. Stick a slice of carrot and dried beef roll on each toothpick. Makes about 40.

Potato Scoops

1 1/2 ounces cream cheese

2 tbsp. Roquefort cheese

1 tsp. chili sauce

1/2 tsp. vinegar

1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. paprika

dash of salt

30-40 potato chips *see note

Blend the cheeses thoroughly, then add the rest of the ingredients except the potato chips. Mix well. Drop about 1 tsp. of the mixture into center of each potato chip just before serving. Makes 30-40.

Note: The Tostitos Scoops work great for this recipe!

Norse Nods

2 tbsp. anchovy paste

2 tbsp. creamed butter

2 tbsp. finely cut chives

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

24 wheat crackers *see note

optional: pimiento

Combine the first four ingredients and blend well. Spread about a 1/2 tsp. of anchovy mixture on each cracker. Garnish with pimiento or a small piece of chive.

Note: They didn't have the type of wheat crackers we have back in 1949, so I adapted this recipe. Wheat Thins work well, or the wheat Ritz crackers, which I really like.

On OFL I shared plans for an old fashioned apple social:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/social.html

~Brenda