Cheap, Easy-To-Make Appetizers?

[snogged]

I have to bring in something for potluck on Thursday and I've got no clue what to bring in.
Usually, I would just do a chili cheese dip (cream cheese, chili, and cheddar cheese) along with some tortilla chips, but I'm not going to have an oven and I don't really want the hassle of trying to squeeze in a time slot with the work microwave.

So I'm looking for your tried and true recipes for work parties. Preferably, I'd rather do a dip over a dessert or pasta salad (because I really don't like pasta salad), but I'm open to anything.

Comments

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

I recently made this dip for a work potluck. If you like pickle wraps, it's pretty tasty on crackers:
http://www.food.com/recipe/pickle-wrap-dip-397575

I also have made those easy ranch-flavored oyster crackers a few times.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Pickle wraps are one of my most favorite things ever.
Definitely going to have to try this.

Ranch-flavored oyster crackers also sound good though.

[idioticonion.livejournal.com]

I feel like Nora in HIMYM.

Pickle wrap? Oyster crackers?

I have no idea what any of these words mean!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Pickle wraps generally involve a pickle wrapped up with a slice of ham that's been slathered in cream cheese.

Oyster crackers get used in soups, but can also be eaten as snacks.
http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/photofiles/list/4903/6472oyster_crackers.jpg

[idioticonion.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm I now want to make a pickle wrap! Do you mean like pickled gerkins? Mmmm, ham with philidelphia cheese and a gerkin in the middle? HEAVEN!

We don't have Oyster crackers in the UK! Not even anything like it. The nearest we have are croutons I suppose?

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'd say a gherkin would be a very close equivalent!

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

Oh man, pickle wraps are so effing delicious. We always make them with dried beef instead of ham. My mom always slices them up (like this) but when I'm having them for a snack I just eat the whole pickle. ;)

I can't believe you don't have oyster crackers over there!! The things I'm learning via LJ. I always have a bag in my cupboard because I love to mix them up with ranch flavoring for a snack. :D

[the-spin.livejournal.com]

I usually do guacamole or crab dip, but both of those can get on the pricey side and it's not a great time of year for avocados.Baba ghanouj is good if you're up to baking eggplant and have a food processor!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Sadly...I don't have a food processor.

Also, I wish avocadoes were in season. Guac is delicious.

[angelskuuipo.livejournal.com]

I've made this Buffalo Chicken Dip a few times and it is very nom. It's just as good cold as it is hot and really good with celery sticks, crackers, pretzel crisps, tortilla chips...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 8oz block cream cheese, cubed
1 3oz can chunk chicken, drained
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
1 cup shredded Colby/Jack blend or Cheddar cheese

Add all ingredients into microwaveable bowl. Microwave on High at one minute intervals, stirring after each time until combined and is hot and bubbly.

You can also do this in a 1 1/2- 2 quart crock pot. Add all the ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours then keep on warm.


Another quick and easy appetizer is stuffed tomatoes. I like using Campari Tomatoes, but Cherry works too. Cut off the tops of the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds with a small spoon. Fill the hollowed out tomatoes with cream cheese & chives, egg salad, chicken salad, whatever you'd like.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Hot sauce tends to aggravate my taste buds, but thanks for the suggestion.

[angelskuuipo.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :) You can adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to suit your tastes. A quarter cup will still give it a lot of flavour, but it'll be a lot milder.

I hope whatever you decide on comes out muy tasty!

[mutantenemy.livejournal.com]

Every potluck I bring these and they are always a great success. People hesitate when I tell them what's in them, they take a bite, and then grab four more. LOL!

I've named them my "Spicy Salsa Rolls".

(2) blocks of cream cheese
(1) small can of diced chiles
(1) small can of diced jalapenos
(lots) of grated sharp cheddar cheese
(1) cup or so of sour cream

I mix it all together and add cheddar or sour cream to even out the taste. It's very much an "adjust as you go" kind of recipe.

Sometimes I toss in one more small can of chiles, just for the hell of it. ;-) Or an extra block of cream cheese. Taylor it to how spicy you do or do not want it to be.

Mix mix mix.

Spread on flour tortilla.

Roll.

Repeat until you use about 10 -12 tortillas. Place all the rolled tortillas in a container (or a plate with saran wrap cover) and stick in the fridge. Keep them there over night. Next morning, pull them out, and cut off the ends. Begin to slice down the roll (like you would cut up a carrot) so you create cute little pinwheels.

Take to work and watch them vanish. :)

Good luck!

[rocker-vamp.livejournal.com]

What did you decide on? I have to say your dip sounds amazing.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I brought pickle wrap dip.
http://www.food.com/recipe/pickle-wrap-dip-397575

[rocker-vamp.livejournal.com]

Oh... that looks pretty good!