St. Patty's Party

What do mini leprechaun hats, gold coins, mint cake, and Ruben sandwiches have in common? They were all part of our St. Patty's party on Saturday!

I found a recipe for a spinach-inspired appetizer.  It was super-easy.  Just take frozen spinach, Muenster cheese, Parmesan, bacon, salt, and green onion and spread on Puff Pastry sheets.  Roll up and cut, then back at 375 for 10 minutes.

Puff Pastry Roll Ups

The hosts: Even my dog got in on the holiday, with his green "faux hawk".

My son and I donned mini-leprechaun hats.

I added gold coins to my hurricanes and topped the candles with mini-hats.  Then I added bowls of beer chips and pretzels to go with our green beers.

I found clear plastic plates for easy clean up, and made each party-goer a green shamrock cookie with their name on it and used it as a place marker.

On the menu?  Mini Rueben Sliders.  They are better than the real thing!  Just buy the mini-loafs of Rye bread, add corned beef, sauerkraut (be sure to drain first in a napkin), Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing.  Bake at 450 degrees for a few minutes.

For dessert? Try this pretty mint cake.

An Appetizer That Will Impress Your Snobbiest Friends

Even Better Holiday Brie

Um, what is better than brie?  I used to think nothing.  And then I took brie, wrapped it in Philo Dough with almonds and fruit, and now it's simply (or sinfully) divine!

I made this little appetizer on Christmas Eve.  It was such a hit, I had to delay dinner because everyone ate too much.  Then I made it again on New Years.

So enough already.  If you like brie (I mean, who doesn't?), impress your friends with this no-hassle, impressive appetizer.

Better than Brie

Ingredients:

1 Sheet of Frozen Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets
1 Brie Wedge or Round
Apricot Preserves
Sliced Almonds
Dried Cranberries or Cherries (I used a combo of both)
One egg white

Instructions:

Ten minutes before prep, remove puff pastry (philo dough) from freezer and set out in room temperature.  When it is soft and pliable, lay on a lightly floured surface.  Coat one side with apricot preserves, a few slivers of almonds, and dried cranberries/cherries.  Place brie wedge in the middle and wrap puff pastry around the brie entirely, filled side in.  Cut off excess an set aside.  Remove any seams by dampening with water and smoothing over with finger.  Use the access pastry dough to cut out a pretty shape and place on top for decoration.  Mix together egg and 1TBSP of water.  Coat the puff pastry with a brushing of egg mixture. 

Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown.  Let sit for 20 minutes before serving.

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