This Holiday Season Give Those Traditional Crockpot Appetizer Recipes A Little Burst Of Flavor
Written by Susanne Myers   
Sunday, 06 December 2009 10:41
With the holiday season quickly approaching, I'm guessing you have already pulled out some of your favorite appetizer recipes. You know you love those mouth-watering little treats and you know that your guests love to nibble on appetizers as they mingle.
by SusanneMyers


With the holiday season quickly approaching, I'm guessing you have already pulled out some of your favorite appetizer recipes. You know you love those mouth-watering little treats and you know that your guests love to nibble on appetizers as they mingle.

Your holiday entertainment plans may include a sit down dinner, but if your guests are like mine, they still enjoy a few nibbles before dinner. Serving a good variety of appetizers is one way to please everybody on your guest list. But, it can be difficult coming up with new ideas, especially when we've grown to love our traditional snacks.

Your crockpot has been your friend right along as you created your classic appetizers, so now it's time to put your crockpot to work once more as you improve on your favorite appetizer recipes. Those meatballs, that cheese dip, and those little cocktail wienies are about to get bumped up a notch or two!

Cheese Dip: Your classic cheese dip is tasty enough, but wouldn't it be even better with a few special ingredients. Mix up a Cheese & Artichoke dip to surprise and delight your guests. Now, your cheese dip will be remembered!

You can also add flavorful ingredients like Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and red pepper flakes to really kick this cheese dip up a few notches. Cook in your crockpot on low for about 2 hours, and keep warm to serve with your crackers, chips, or bread.

Saucy Sweet Sausage: Those little Vienna Sausages have been a favorite in many households for many years. And with good reason - they're fun and delicious. But, how would you like to surprise your guests with an even tastier sausage treat like a Sausage and Apple Appetizer. Cut up some apple smoked sausage, sweet onion, and some nice tart apples into bite size chunks and start them simmering away in a sauce created with balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and mustard. Now that's just the ticket to whet those appetites!

Although we know our Vienna Sausage appetizers are good, you'll have to admit that this cocktail sausage appetizer is great! Mix together these special ingredients in your crockpot, turn it on low heat, and cook for about 2 hours, checking to make sure the onion and apple chunks are cooked, but don't let them get soft and mushy.

Meatball Bites: Those little meatballs swimming around in barbecue sauce are tasty, but are they special enough for your holiday event? Go ahead and make your mini meatballs out of your favorite recipe, but when it comes to the sauce, it's time to do something special. Beer is the ingredient that kicks this appetizer recipe up a couple pegs. This Tangy Meatball Appetizer will have your guests wondering what makes the sauce so yummy. Start by making your favorite meatball recipe, form the mini meatballs, then brown them in a heavy skillet with cooking oil. Once they're brown, put them in your crock pot.

In a bowl, create your sauce with beer, spicy tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a little horseradish. Add salt, pepper, onion, garlic, hot sauce, or other seasonings you like. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook in your crockpot on low for about 2 to 3 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through. Now your little meatball appetizer won't be like every other one on the block.

Nutty Snacks: I always think some pretty bowls of assorted nuts placed on tables around the room is a nice touch. But, instead of just dumping some mixed nuts in a bowl, why not cook up a batch to surprise your holiday guests? Because pecans are often associated with sweet snacks and desserts, these Cajun Style Pecans will be quite the surprise, indeed!

Start by mixing up a batch of dried or ground seasonings that you would typically find in a Cajun meal; spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder. Put melted butter, pecans, and the seasonings in your crockpot, cook covered on high for about 10 to 12 minutes, then uncover the crockpot, turn it down to low, and cook uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When done cooking, dump the spicy pecans out on a rack to let cool.

Why make the same crockpot appetizer recipes year after year after year? With just a few easy tweaks of your old recipes, you can create new versions of your favorite appetizers. Get together with your crockpot this year to surprise your holiday guests!

About the Author:

Take time to pick out a few Crock Pot Appetizer Recipes that your family enjoys and include those favorite dishes in your holiday menu plan. Save time and money this holiday season by using your Crock Pot Cooking skills - or pick up a few new tips before you begin!