Great Appetizers for Your Next Event!

Caramel Fruit Dip
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. sour cream
2 t. vanilla
2 t. lemon juice
1 c. milk
3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix

Blend cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Blend well. Pour into a serving dish and chill for at least one hour. Makes 3-1/2 cups.


Mini Chicken Salad Croissants
1 1/2 c. cooked chicken breast, minced
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. minced celery
1/4 c. cashews, broken into bits

Combine ingredients and scoop onto mini croissants.
Also delicious on baguette slices, crackers or mini pitas!

Bruschetta with Avocado and Basil
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
1/2 lb. Roma tomatoes, sliced lenthwise and diced
1/4 c. diced red onion
2 T. olive oil
2 T. chopped parsley
1 T. chopped fresh basil leaves
1-2 medium cloves garlic, minced
freshly ground pepper and salt, to taste
1 sourdough baguette cut into 1/2" slices and lightly toasted

In a medium bowl, lightly combine the avocado, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, parsley, basil garlic, pepper and salt. Top each slice of toasted bread with about 1 heaping tablespoon of the tomato-avocado mixture. Garnish each with a small leaf of basil. Must serve right away so the avocado does not brown - drizzle a bit of lemon juice over the avocado to help avoid browning.
Makes 20.