Summer is a great time for entertaining, whether it’s a barbecue or a poolside party or just a get-together with a few friends to sit around and chat. No matter how you’re entertaining, food is always an important part.
If you want to serve something more than chips and dips or cheese and crackers for a change, here are a couple of ideas you might like to try – Sweet and Sour Hot Dog Bites and Mini Ham and Swiss Cups. Both are easy to prepare, and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand.
These appetizers work great as a snack for the kids during summer vacation, too!
SWEET and SOUR HOT DOG BITES
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/4 cup grape jelly
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared honey-mustard
1 pound of your favorite hot dogs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat soup, jelly, vinegar and mustard until jelly melts and mixture is very warm, stirring occasionally.
Add hot dog pieces and pineapple chunks to sauce; heat through, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with wooden toothpicks or cocktail picks. Makes about 40 appetizers.
NOTE: If you prefer to use your microwave, combine the soup, jelly, vinegar and mustard in a 3-quart microwave-safe casserole dish, cover and microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes until hot, stirring once during cooking. Add hot dog pieces and pineapple chunks to casserole. Cover; microwave on high for 5 to 8 minutes or until heated through, stirring once during cooking.
MINI HAM AND SWISS CUPS
1 (2 1/2-ounce) package deli ham, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8-ounce) tube refrigerated crescent rolls
Combine ham and onion. Add cheese, egg, mustard and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Unroll crescent rolls; press dough into a single large rectangle. Cut rectangle into 24 squares.
Press each square into a lightly greased mini muffin cup. Fill muffin cups with ham mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 2 dozen appetizers.
Note: You can also use mesquite smoked turkey instead of ham, if preferred.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
