Quick Appetizer Ideas

Bruschetta makes simple and tasty appetizers.

If you're throwing a big holiday, special event or birthday party for friends and family, you don't want to waste visiting time in the kitchen. Prepare quick appetizers without sacrificing taste. Make as many snacks as you can prior to your bash and assemble them at the last minute to ensure freshness.

Stuffed Tomatoes

When hosting a summer party, use juicy tomatoes from your garden to create fast and healthy appetizers. You can incorporate other garden treasures into the snacks for a fresh taste. Stuffed tomatoes are simple to make but make satisfying appetizers; jewel-toned tomatoes will also add a pop of color to as nack tray. To make the treats, slice the tops off of medium-sized vine-ripened tomatoes and remove the insides to create hollow "bowls." Create a tasty corn and rice filling by combining fresh corn kernels, cooked jasmine rice, chopped green and yellow peppers, parsley and red onions, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stuff the mixture into the tomatoes and arrange them on a serving tray. As another option is stuff the tomatoes with homemade hummus, tuna or egg salad.

Bruschetta

Bruschetta makes fast and elegant appetizers for any type of get-together, from casual cocktails parties to fancy holiday dinners. Make the bruschetta bread the day ahead to save time on the big day. Create the toast by slicing a loaf of day-old crusty Italian bread into ½-inch thick pieces. Sprinkle the tops of the bread pieces with extra-virgin olive oil and fresh-ground black pepper. Toast the bread slices in a broiler and place them in a cloth napkin-lined basket. Serve the toast with a selection of simple, handmade topping such as corn and black bean salsa, chopped tomatoes tossed with fresh basil and olive oil or a creamy avocado spread.

Mozzarella Bites

Treat guests to bites of cheesy goodness as a simple yet gourmet appetizer. Transform creamy mozzarella balls into a delectable palette primer. To assemble the snacks, cut roasted red peppers into strips and wrap them around small mozzarella balls. Slide the wrapped cheese pieces onto toothpicks to create bite-sized treats. Experiment with wrapping the mozzarella in prosciutto, fresh basil leaves or bacon. You can also slide unwrapped cheese balls onto the toothpicks along with marinated olives or cherry tomatoes. Arrange the mozzarella bites on a tray, toothpicks up, and drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Tags: Bruschetta makes, fresh basil, mozzarella balls, onto toothpicks