Need an appetizer idea!

[Longhorn]

I am making dinner for my in-laws tonight and I need an appetizer!! I'm serving snapper vera cruz, french bread, and salad. I'm worried that it won't be enough food, so I wanted to have an appetizer as well. I'd like something uncomplicated as I will have to throw all of this together after work this evening!
Thanks!

[Leanne]

This is not light - but it's easy. What about Brie to go with your French food. Serve it with apples & crackers.

If you can heat it up when you're there, you can put a topping on it. (Mix the topping at home & prepare the brie - then just heat it when you get there.)

Here's one of my favorite toppings & it's easy:

1 tbsp or so apple juice
2 tbsp or so of brown sugar
< 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 tsp extract - like rum or orange

Cut the top of the rind off of the Brie leaving the rim to create a shallow "bowl".
Mix the ingredients together & put in the "bowl". Heat until melted. It's great.

There are all sorts of toppings you can do.

[Longhorn]

Thanks Leanne! That sounds delicious. I love brie, but my DH does NOT! I'm not sure about his parent's tastes so I think I'll have to save the brie for another occasion. BTW, my snapper vera cruz is more of a spanish or mexican dish. I'm serving it with french bread cuz I've never heard of spanish bread!

[gertdog]

If you just want some nibbles out on the table before you all actually sit down to dinner, you could pick up some pitted calamata or other olives and marinate them in some olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, and a few slivers of garlic. Add a bowl of cashews or almonds, cheese (non-Brie for your DH http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) and crackers, and maybe some fruit (apples or grapes). It all looks like a nice spread but takes little effort on your part.

Another appetizer I always like is little skewered tortellinis. Buy a package of tri-color tortellini and cook til al dente. On toothpicks, skewer one tortellini, a piece of roasted red pepper (or fresh), and a small cube of mozzerella. Serve with a favorite vinagrette for dipping.

If you want an actual first course, you could do a light pasta... capellini with butter, lemon, and herbs, and serve small amounts.

I think appetizers are my favorite part of dinner. Can you tell?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif