Sometimes the best things are so simple we tend to forget about them. A few weeks ago we were graciously invited to a Halloween party! Michael had been gone all week on the East Coast and come Halloween day I was BEAT STREET! All done. Now normally, (especially given my incestuous love for this Haunted Holiday) I would have come up with a fabulous, Halloween-oriented appetizer…but again, I was tired and over it! (God Bless you single Moms! Really.)As I sat pondering what I could throw together easily I came up with two great app’s that are slam-dunks every time, and honestly I think because they are so darn easy I just forget how good they are. Nothing inventive here people, but wow…easy, somewhat healthy (for a party app) and always gobbled up! A trip to the store and about 20 minutes to put together. DONE. (I would also like to add both the shrimp and the meatballs were gone within about 15 minutes of our arrival).
Appetizer #1. Jumbo Prawns and Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients: Jumbo Prawns & Cocktail Sauce
Now remember you are looking for frozen, cooked with the tail ON that have been farmed in the U.S.A (see All the Fish are Swimming post for guidelines)
Take a large round serving dish, fill with ice, place dipping bowl of Cocktail Sauce in the center, then place prawns and slices of lemon in whatever presentation makes you the happiest
Assemble when you arrive. Bring ice in a ziplock. Shrimp in a ziplock. Lemon slices. Cocktail sauce. Your serving bowl. Cocktail Sauce bowl.
Appetizer #2: Chicken Meatballs with Sweet ’n Sour Sauce & Pineapple chunks
Ingredients: Chicken meatballs, Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce, Pineapple Chunks
Obviously you can use any kind of meatball you wish! Beef/pork and/or turkey will work too. But if you are eating leaner, healthier…why not contribute this way of life to the event you are attending? The Chicken Meatball’s I love are from Costco (Aidells Meatballs), and even with nothing on them they are a home run. My friend Kelley just heats them and sets out some toothpicks. (BTW this is how my kids get them and they INHALE them).
For a party I prefer to take it just one easy step further and add the Sweet ’n Sour Sauce, and pineapple chunks.
- Dump meatballs into baking dish
- Dump sauce over the top
- Dump pineapple chunks (juice drained out)
- Mix together
Now the meatballs have been cooked, but to heat they need about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. I like to arrive at parties and be able to simply put the dish out (not bothering the hostess with needing things…especially his/her oven) so I put these in the oven about 30 minutes before we will be leaving. Right before we go I dump them into a stove-top pan and place the lid on. This makes them easy for transport and keeps them warm.
Upon arriving I place them into the serving dish and place some toothpicks next to it!
The Sauce: Prior to eating a cleaner, healthier way of life I SWORE by World Harbors Maui Mountain Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce. It really is wonderful! But this time when I went to Safeway I decided to check the organic section for options and I found Acadia,Roasted Red Pepper Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce & Marinade. I was intrigued because the bottle was the exact same shape and size as the Maui Mountain/World Harbors brand. When I compared the two I couldn’t help but smile because sure enough they were/are the same parent company. The price was pretty close to the same too. The main difference is the Acadia brand has no High Fructose Corn Syrup, and no Preservatives. So this is my new Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce of choice! But, like the meatballs, I would venture any Sweet & Sour will be a sure-fire hit.
