Are you looking for something simple, satisfying and perfect for polite company or a living room full of game fans?  If so, I have just the recipe for you today.  It’s a mouthful of flavor in a small package.  The perfect finger food for a party of any kind.  In a word, it’s delectable.

I was thinking about the mushroom and Swiss burger at my favorite diner when I came up with this. It became something I just couldn’t shake.  I had to do something about the craving for mushrooms and cheese before it drove me mad (or to the Diner for a $9.00 burger plate I’d never be able to finish!)

The end result satisfied my cravings perfectly.  It also turned out to be an exceptional dish in its own right. It’s meaty, savory and perfect nosh food.  It’s good hot, great at room temperature and not too bad chilled.  the flavors are bold but the package is small, so there is no need to eat too much, just nibble to your heart’s content and enjoy the flavors.

One warning…  These are addictive, so you might want to make sure you have double the ingredients on hand, just in case…

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Popularity: 4% [?]

I can’t remember the first time my mother brought home a tub of Rondelé cheese, but from the moment she did, I was hooked.  We all were.  It was the staple on wheat crackers in our home for years.  It was used with vegetable platters, smeared on sourdough with salami and a favorite at parties.  It only took one taste.

Of course, not every store carries this delicately herbed cream cheese, nor its it carried in all regions.  I have not been able to find a good quality replacement in Texas, though I’m sure it exists somewhere.  The thing is, I’m not looking any more.  It’s so easy to make that I’ll never buy the ready-made version again.

This particular version was made to go with a wrap we made for a friend’s commissioning reception, but it would be fabulous with any savory accompaniment. The flavors can easily be adjusted to suit your needs or be made with what you have on hand, so there really is no excuse not to give it a try the next time you have a need for a dip or spread that’s a little bit different from the fare found at the local BigScaryMegaMart.  I hope you enjoy this as much as everyone at the reception did.

Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 – 8 oz container cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder

Method:

Mix milk and cream cheese together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and mix well, scraping sides of bowl constantly.

Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.

Use as cheese dip, or spread on crostini, for wraps or wherever else you would use flavored cream cheese.

Share and enjoy!

What I would have done differently had I thought of it at the time:

The possibilities for flavors is pretty much limited only by your imagination.  Adjust herbs and garlic to suit the dish you are making.  Dill for fish, mint for lamb or heavier, more savory herbs for beef.  Add in some sun-dried tomatoes and use as topping for toast points, crostini or as a dip for crackers.  It’s really up to what you want at the time.

Links to other recipes like this:

• Herbed Cream Cheese, from The Crispy Cook
• Herbed Cream Cheese Spread or Dip, from Seasonal Ontario Food
• Herb Garlic Cream Cheese, from Chaos in the Kitchen

Popularity: 5% [?]

At first glance you might think that these little guys are sad and looking for their mummies, but on closer inspection you’ll see that they’re all just waiting for a dip in the hot tub. (OK, I couldn’t pass up the mummy joke, sorry.)

sometimes simple is better, and it doesn’t get a whole lot simpler than this when it comes to appetizers.  Just cocktail sausages wrapped in refrigerated crescent dough and served with a side of mustard, spiced with your favorite hot sauce or horseradish and you’ve got yourself a wiener! (I know. It’s bad, but I can’t help myself!)

These little guys make a perfect party opener, but be warned, too many and your guests won’t want dinner.  They’re filling!  we used beef Lil’ Smokies for this one, but any cocktail wiener you can find will do just as well, I’m sure.  They’re great hot out of the oven or at room temp and can be served with ketchup for kids too little to appreciate a good mustard. (Or adults that just don’t like mustard, for that matter)

Any way you serve them, they’re sure to be a hit!

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Popularity: 8% [?]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, simple flavors are usually the most profound.  The art of great food is not necessarily about the number of ingredients, the amount of spices and flavorings, or even the technical knowledge of the person preparing the meal.  It’s about a perfect balance of flavors, textures and aromas.  This is true of the perfect serving of escargot as much as it is in the perfect plate of simple southern greens.  They are both beautiful experiences in their own right, and neither one is complicated.

The same holds true of this simple little dish.  It could be used as a tappas, an appetizer, a snack or even a great little brunch dish.  The ingredients are simple, straightforward and complimentary in ways that would not be possible had any other ingredient been added. In this case minimal is better, and if you try it, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Not only are these tiny tidbits a wonderful taste sensation, they are healthy.  Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and lean proteins that we are all supposed to get more of. The cream cheese is low fat and so provides calcium without too much guilt. Of all the ingredients, only the bagels may cause worry for some, but they souldn’t.  The tiny addition in carb count is more than worth it. Top it all off with the fact that this dish weighs in at only 4 Weight Watcher’s points, and you’re golden.

Even my wife approved, and she’s not a salmon fan!

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Popularity: 2% [?]