As a newly single person or parent, preparing these delicious dishes has to be easy and quick too.

Appetizers are fun for get togethers at home, social gatherings of all kinds and even a treat for an at work team. As a newly single person or parent, preparing these delicious dishes has to be easy and quick too. Below are some of our favorite recipes that meet these standards.

1.      Tangy Sweet BBQ Meatballs – Crock Pot Specialty

Super Easy and always gets compliments.

Ingredients:

• 18-ounce jar BBQ Sauce
• 18-ounce jar Grape Jelly
• 64 ounces frozen ready-made meatballs

Combine BBQ Sauce and Jelly into a bowl and whisk until completely blended. Then add the frozen meat balls and stir until each individual meatball is covered in sauce.

Cook in the crockpot: High 2-4 hours or Low 4-6 hours

Pour into a bowl or chaffing dish. I like to garnish with a little parsley. Supply toothpicks for guest to skewer individual meatballs.

2.      Chili Cheese Dip

This is another crowd pleaser.  It’s the first dish to be gone at any potluck I’ve been to.

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce brick of cream cheese
• 15-ounce canned chili (I recommend Staggs Country Chili)
• 11 to 12-ounce bag of Tortilla Chips

Crock Pot Cooking:  Add both ingredients to the crock both – chili first.  Cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to blend as the cream cheese melts. 

Electric Fondue Pan Cooking: Set to “Cheese.” Add cream cheese first stirring until the cream cheese is melted and creamy.  Add the chili slowly and continue to stir and blend. In 5 to 10 minutes the dip will be hot enough to serve. Turn down to simmer to keep at the right temperature for serving.

Serve from fondue pot and supply a small ladle to spoon over tortilla chips.

3.      Lentil, Bruschetta and Feta Dip

This is a great recipe from my sister in law. So good and so easy, I had to make it right away.  It’s another crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces premade bruschetta
• 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• 17 ounces steamed lentils

Add all ingredients together in a large bowl until well mixed. It is good cold or hot.  You can microwave it to heat it if you prefer a hot dip. We get our ingredients from Trader Joe’s.

…please share your recipes in the comments! We’d love to taste them.

Serve with Pita Bread, Tortilla chips, any flat bread or sturdy cracker such as Triscuits.

4.      Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly on a Ritz

This is a no cook, no mix recipe. I use Ritz Garden Vegetable cracker for this upscale dish. Any sturdy, crisp cracker with a mild taste will work.

Ingredients:

• 8-ounces Honey Smoked Salmon
• 8-ounce brick Cream Cheese
• 6 to 12-ounce jar of Hot Pepper Jelly
• Ritz Crackers

Simply unwrap and plate the salmon, cream cheese, tube of ritz crackers and a small knife. Next to the plate, place a small bowl for the pepper jelly, with a spoon.  THAT IS IT! This is a gourmet delight and has impressed each time we’ve used it.

5.      Sliced French Bread Mini-Pizzas

Mini Pizzas Sliced Bread

Ingredients:

• French Bread
• Thick Marinara Sauce and/or Thick Garlic Alfredo Sauce and/or BBQ Sauce
• Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese
• Toppings
  • Pepperoni
  • Sausage
  • Ham
  • Chicken
  • Crab
  • Spinach
  • Peppers
  • Fresh Basil
  • Onions
  • This list can go on and on – add your favorites!

Cut the bread lengthwise. Layer the sauce of your choice, then add cheese and your choice of toppings.

For crispier bread/base brush the bread halves with butter or olive oil for 5 minutes at 450 degrees before adding the toppings.

Bake on a preheated cookie sheet for 12 to 15 minutes at 425 degrees or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Summary

These appetizers are quick and easy to make and can make any get together or party tastier. These are my go-to recipes. Please share your recipes in the comments! We’d love to taste them.

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