Tag Archives: appetizer

Toasted Almond & Swiss Party Spread

Appetizers February 6, 2026 Leave a comment

This appetizer from the 1980s is made with toasted almonds to enhance the Swiss cheese flavor. It is usually served with crackers, toasted bread cut-outs, or fresh vegetables. Retro appetizers often use traditional ingredients in recipes that are still enjoyed today. They are perfect for themed parties or gatherings that want a nostalgic feeling. These appetizers combine history, good taste, and social fun, making them popular for celebrations that appreciate the past but are also modern.

Ingredients

  • 1 8oz package cream cheese
  • 1-1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/3 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing, or mayonnaise
  • 3 thinly sliced scallions
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (fresh if possible)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see how to toast below)

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, onions, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the Swiss cheese. Transfer to small ovenproof glass bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the almonds on top.
  3. Bake for 7 minutes. Stir, and bake for an additional 8 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining almonds on top and serve.
  4. Serve warm with crackers, toasted rye bread slices or vegetables to scoop the dip.

To Toast Almonds

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the almonds in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
  3. Bake the almonds for 11 to 12 minutes for whole almonds, or about 8 minutes for sliced or slivered almonds. 
  4. Stir the almonds halfway through to ensure even toasting. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
  5. Once they are brown and fragrant, remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet.

Pin Wheel Appetizers

Appetizers December 21, 2025 Leave a comment

Pinwheel appetizers are popular for social gatherings because they are easy to make and look festive. They can be customized with different ingredients to match various tastes and occasions. Common fillings include olives, chopped scallions, chili peppers, ham, salmon, cheese, and spinach. For a festive look, adding red and green colors can make the presentation more appealing. A popular filling is cream cheese, which helps the rollups keep their shape and adds flavor. When preparing pinwheels, it is important to balance the flavors and textures. For example, combining creamy cheese with savory meats or fresh vegetables creates a tasty combination. Using herbs and spices can also improve the flavor. Overall, pinwheel appetizers are a versatile and elegant choice for any event. By choosing the right ingredients and paying attention to how they look, these appetizers can fit any theme or dietary need, making them a reliable option for entertaining.

Holiday Pin Wheels

Serves:
About 35 roll ups

Ingredients

To basic filling, add meats, salmon, spinach, sliced olives, or other herbs and flavors to make them your own! 

  • 2 packages cream cheese flavored or white, softened
  • 1 package ranch dressing mix
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 flour tortillas, use spinach and tomato for a festive touch!
  • 1/2 cup finely diced green bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red bell peppers
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Directions

  1. Mix the cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and the black pepper together thoroughly.
  2. Spread the mixture on the tortillas, and then sprinkle over the diced bell peppers and green onions.
  3. Roll up tightly, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until party time (for at least 1 hour).
  4. Slice into small 1-2″ wheels and serve.

Tirokafteri Dip (Spicy Feta Dip)

appetizer, Dips November 23, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled well
  • 2 jalapeno peppers or chili peppers, stem, seeds & membranes removed
  • 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sweet red pepper paste (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, mashed (Optional)
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Process

  1. Place feta cheese in a large bowl.
  2. Place green peppers in a food processor and blend into a paste, transfer to the bowl of feta.
  3. Add Greek yogurt, olive oil, red pepper paste, vinegar, garlic, and cayenne pepper to the dip. Stir until well blended, and smooth.
  4. Garnish with chopped red bell pepper, chopped chilies, or sliced olives.

Serve with chips or raw vegetables such as cucumber slices, green or red pepper chunks, any crusty bread.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Dinner Ideas November 20, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 10 slices applewood smoked bacon (cooked crisp and chopped)
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
  • ½ cup scallions, chopped

Process

  1. Beat cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper with a hand mixer until smooth.
  2. Add in 1-1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, half of the cooked bacon, half of the minced jalapeño peppers, half the green onions and fold gently until mixed. The remainder of these ingredients will be used for the coating.
  3. Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, using plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
  4. In a bowl mix the remainder of the cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeño pepper and green onions. Refrigerate.
  5. 20 minutes before serving, unwrap cheese ball and roll into the leftover topping mixture to coat entirely.