Wine Tasting Appetizer Ideas?

[lmewilson]

i've signed up to go to a wine-tasting (yippeeee!), and have been asked to bring an appetizer to the hostess' home.

does anyone have any ideas of some CL appetizers that would be suitable - and super yummy - for the evening? what have your friends, family and guests 'ooooohed' and 'ahhhhhed' over?

[lorilei]

Something with cheese seems highly appropriate for such an affair

This recipe is one of my favorites -- and so easy! You can serve it with crackers (melba toast is particularly good) or use the spread to stuff cherry tomatoes.

GOAT CHEESE SPREAD WITH BASIL

1/2 lb cream cheese
1/2 lb goat cheese
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped
1 cup packed basil leaves, stemmed and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine the cheeses, garlic and pepper flakes in a large bowl. Prior to serving, add basil and nuts. Mix and season to taste. Serve at room temperature.

[BethH]

I'm a fan of the Mango Cheese Ball posted by someone on the BB earlier. I made it for a party and it was a big hit!

Basically, you mix together a jar of mango chutney (I used Major Grey's to make it tangy) and a package of cream cheese (I used the full fat kind because I'm bad)in a blender or food processor. Then roll in almonds and form into a ball. This is actually harder than it sounds. I actually stuck my cheese mixture in the freezer wrapped in plastic wrap to make it harden a little or else you will never be able to get in the ball shape. After it firmed up, I rolled it in toasted, slivered almonds and it looked very pretty on a plate with crackers. I bet it would be really tasty with a crisp white wine. Have fun!

[Wendy w]

Hi! Try this, I found this a couple of years ago on a garlic website and everyone goes crazy when I make it. This is hardly light fare, but it is good for an occasional treat Enjoy!

Garlic Spread with Sundried tomatoes

one cup olive oil, extra virgin (use the best possible)

5 ounces sundried tomatoes-rehydrate in hot water for 15 minutes.

4-5 green onions

10 or more cloves of garlic

handful of fresh basil (about 10-12 leaves)

Pinch of parsley (2-3 large sprigs)

Pinch of sugar

Pinch of salt to taste

Lots of cayenne!

Put all ingredients in a food processor and process until ingredients are chopped and combined, leave a little bit chunky. Refrigerate over night or at least 2-3 hours, making sure that it is brought back to room temperature before serving. Place 4 oz. of chevre (goat cheese) on a platter for serving. Pour sundried tomato mixture over chevre and garnish with fresh basil leaves and or parsley. Serve with a sliced french baguette.
Wendy

[MrsReber]

How about a baked brie? We had some recipes floating around on the BB not too long ago. I am a brie freak.

[S]

MrsReber and Wendy w, How do you think the Garlic spread with sundried tomatoes would taste served over a baked brie?

[venus]

I'm going to butt in here:

How about baking the brie with the garlic/sundried tomato paste inside the pastry shell? You can spread the top and sides with it and then wrap the pastry around it. I have also stuffed a wedge of brie with marinated sun dried tomatoes and basil leaves, topped it with cracked pepper and served with crackers.

I forgot to mention how hungry this thread is making me.


[This message has been edited by venus (edited 10-24-2000).]

[buddie]

Smoked Salmon Rugalach
DOUGH
1 lb cottage cheese
1 lb butter
2 c flour
1 tsp sugar

FILLING
1/2 lb smoked salmon
8 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
juice of one lemon
salt and pepper to taste

1. for dough: mix first 4 ingredients together and refrigerate 1-2 hrs.

2. make filling by combining salmon, cream cheese, dill and lemon. season to taste with salt and pepper

3 preheat oven to 375

4 when chilled, divide dough into 4 balls. roll each ball 1/4 inch thick. spread 1/4 filling over dough.

5. cut into narrow pie shaped wedges. roll each wedge from the widest to narrowest point. place on parchement lined baking cheet. bake 20 minutes or until golden

Sun Dried Tomato Palmiers
12oz cream cheese
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
2 green oinions finely minced
1/2 c sun dried tomatos, slivered and patted dry
17 1/4 oz package of puff pastry sheets, thawed

1. with food processor or blender, process cream cheese, parmesan, green onions and tomatoes until well blended. lay pastry sheets on a work surface and spread with filling, dividing evenly. roll pastry up tightly, starting form each side and roll to the center. wrap rolls with plastic wrap and freeze until ready to bake

2. heat oven to 375. place rolls on counter to thaw 15 minutes. cut roll into 1/4 inch round. place rounds on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. serve warm

[Wendy w]

I have never thought of putting the sundried tomato mixture over baked brie as it works so well with goat cheese, but I think you're on to something venus. I happen to love brie also, I think that it may be worth a try. The recipes on this thread look wonderful!

As an fyi for lightening up goatcheese: take the goatcheese and 1/2 cup of plain, nonfat yogurt (without gelatin)and put it in a yogurt strainer as you would for making yogurt cheese. Let it drain overnight and the yogurt will have taken on the flavor of the goat cheese. I found this hint in a Sunset magazine article and they got it from an executive at Williams Sonoma. It really works!


Wendy

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 10-25-2000).]

[venus]

Wendy, thanks so much for the tip! I must try it. Do you mix the goat cheese and yogurt together? Dumb questions, I'm sure

[Wendy w]

venus,

It is not a dumb question, mix the goat cheese and the yogurt together before draining and again afterwards so that it is mixed.

Wendy

[BevP]

OK it's not CL. It's not even cooking but how about some great Kalamati olives? And toothpicks.

[Jeanne G]

I don't know how the party is working, but the last wine tasting I went to hosted by a friend had a plate of various cheeses - amoung others, a big wedge of parmesan(quite good like that) and some fruit(to cleanse the palate !!) on each table. Maybe bring assorted fruits or help with the cost and bring an exotic cheese?

lorilei,
What a great suggestion. I was just asking my boyfriend for an idea (besides cold cheese cubes) to bring on our weekend trip that doesn't need to be heated. We're going to a b&b w/ friends this weekend. And I'm going to sneak in a bottle of champagne(they don't allow beverages or food in the room, imagine! )and an appetizer or two! Similar to most bb persons, I love to bring food and treat people to new things. Just so happens, these two we're going with probably have never tried goat cheese and it sounds perfectly delicious to me.

Thank You!!