Red Appetizers

Looking for some easy appetizers for your New Years' Eve celebration?

With all the planning and decorating I did for my New Moon party last month I made sure the foods were simple but good.


Cocktail Wieners
From my Mom

1 package "Little Smokies" Sausages
Chili Sauce
Grape Jelly

In a small saucepan combine equal amounts of chili sauce and grape jelly. For one package of Little Smokies I usually do 2 Tbls each. Whisk smooth and heat over medium-low heat. Add sausages and heat until warmed through.

Serve with toothpicks for skewering.

Raspberry-Chipotle Dip
From my friend Wendy

1 8oz pkg cream cheese, at room temp
1 8oz container sour cream
3/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 bottle roasted raspberry chipotle sauce

If needed soften cream cheese in microwave. Mix cream Cheese with sour cream, shredded cheese and black beans. Spread in baking dish. Pour raspberry chipotle sauce over the top. (Our store caries "Bronco Bob's" found by the BBQ sauces.) Bake at 350*until bubbly.

Serve with crackers.


And just in case you wanted some blood-dripped champagne flutes to toast your sparkling cider to the new year. . .


Combine 3 cups of sugar and one cup of water in a small saucepan. Boil to the hard crack stage. Remove from heat and add red coloring, and flavoring if you want. I used 1 tsp of almond extract.

Dip rims of glasses into the hot candy. Quickly set the glasses upright to allow the candy to drip down.

I can't promise that it won't shatter your glasses. None of mine shattered, but it might be good to pre-warm your glasses, just in case. I was also curious as to whether or not the candy would be too hot to use on those plastic disposable glasses. It's worth a try.