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New Year’s Celebrations: Munchies
in Minutes for Impromptu Parties
by Phyllis Cambria
Even if you decide to throw a New Year's party at the eleventh hour, you
can still put together a great spread with these fast and festive snacks
from food you probably already have in your pantry.
Canned Meats and Fish: Mix with mayo, top on crackers and serve. Or make
it tastier by topping your salad with a small slice of cheese, place in
a single layer on a cookie sheet, and broil until the cheese melts.
Serve warm.
Crackers: Top with any mixture you have – peanut butter, tuna salad, egg
salad, ham salad and so forth.
Salsa: You can serve your salsa straight from the jar or jazz it up by
mixing it with sour cream, guacamole or cottage cheese as a dip for
chips, pretzels or veggies.
Salad dressing: Creamy varieties work well as a veggie dip.
Hearty Breads (Rye, Pumpernickel or Whole Wheat): Cut slices into
one-inch squares or thin slices. Spread with mayo. Sprinkle with grated
Parmesan or Romano cheese. Broil until mixture bubbles and slightly
browns.
Flour tortillas: You can make a variety of tasty treats from flour
tortillas. Here are just a few ideas:
*Fill with meats or softened cheese spreads. You also can add diced
pimento, chopped olives or roasted peppers for greater flavor. Roll,
chill and slice into bite-sized pinwheel snacks.
*Cut into bite-sized pieces. Fry in hot oil until crispy. Drain,
sprinkle with herbs, spices or cheese and serve with dips or salsa.
*Spread with tomato sauce or salsa. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Broil
until cheese melts and bubbles. Cut into wedges and serve hot.
Peanut Butter: This standby makes a tasty spread on crackers, fruit or
celery.
American Cheese/Chili: Cube one pound of processed American cheese
(Velveeta works best). Put into a microwave-safe bowl. Top with a can of
chili. Microwave for five minutes or until cheese melts. Stir and serve
with crackers, corn tortillas or fried flour tortillas.
Popcorn: Prepare according to package directions and sprinkle while hot
with seasoned salts, grated cheese or butter.
Dried Cereal/Dried Fruit/Nuts: Combine to create a trail mix. You can
add a variety of spices or mix Worchester sauce into melted butter and
pour over your mix and toss to coat for added flavor.
Fresh Fruit : Cut into bite-sized wedges. Dip into yogurt, melted ice
cream, chocolate sauce or chocolate syrup.
Vegetables: Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with a creamy salad
dressing.
Potatoes: Potatoes can be turned into scrumptious snacks. Here are a few
ways to serve them to make them party perfect.
*Cut into thin slices with a mandolin or sharp knife and deep fry to
make chips.
*Cut into strips or wedges and deep fry. Sprinkle with salt, vinegar,
and/or cheese. Serve hot.
*Cut into wedges and toss with cooking or olive oil, herbs, and spices.
Spread in a single layer onto a cookie sheet. Bake on a high heat until
cooked. Serve with toothpicks.
*Bake or microwave potatoes with their skins on (pierce potato several
times with a fork to keep potato from exploding). After they are cooked,
cut the potato in half. Scoop out the potato, leaving the skin intact.
Mash the potato and season with spices, herbs, sour cream and/or butter.
Put the seasoned potato back into the shells. Top with cooked or
artificial bacon, cheese and/or chives. Broil until the cheese melts.
Cut into wedges and serve hot with or without salsa.
Now that you know that you can make merry in a minute, call your
friends, dim the lights, light some candles, play music and have the
best blowout of the year.
About the author
Phyllis Cambria is an award-winning event planner, wedding coach,
author, speaker and party planning expert. She's worked as a
spokesperson for multinational corporations and has appeared on dozens
of national radio and TV talk shows. Her advice has appeared in hundreds
of national newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide. Together with
Patty Sachs, she owns
PartyPlansPlus.com,
SpeakersWritersPlus.com,
WeddingPlansPlus.com and
WeddingCoachPlus.com.
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