A Few Good Appetizers

It's handy to have a few good appetizer recipes up your sleeve.

A fancy starter makes any dinner seem extra special. A few

hors d’oeuvres can be the basis for a fine party. Of course, to be

considered "good," they have to be mighty delicious and not a lot

of fuss to prepare.

Brie and Cranberry Chutney Melt

This recipe comes from Debi of Wilmington, North Carolina. Debi is a jeweler who owns her own jewelry company, Red Dog Designs, named after her adorable pup, "Redford."

1 8 ounce round Brie cheese

Cranberry Chutney (recipe follows)

4 bacon slices, cooked & crumbled

Trim rind from the top of the Brie and place on a microwave-safe serving plate.  Top with 1/3 cup cranberry chutney and microwave at high 1 minute.  Sprinkle with bacon and serve with crackers.

Cranberry Chutney

2 cups fresh cranberries

2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons water

1 apple, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 tablespoon grated orange rind

1 cup fresh orange juice

1 cup golden raisins

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Cook first three ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat for five minutes.  Add remaining ingredients, and cook, stirring often, for 35 minutes.  Remove from heat, and chill if not serving immediately.  Store chutney in refrigerator for up to three weeks.  This is also great served with pork or chicken. Makes 3 cups.

Crab-Parmesan Bites

If fresh crab meat isn't available, you can use frozen or canned crab for this easy recipe. The toast points and crabmeat mixture can be made a day in advance and assembled right before serving.

12 slices homemade-type white bread,

   crusts trimmed and cut into 4 triangles

1 cup lump crab meat

2/3 cup mayonnaise

2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

4 green onions, chopped fine

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toast bread triangles on a baking sheet in oven until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spread the crabmeat mixture on the toast triangles and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, until slightly puffed. Serve immediately. Makes 48 pieces.

Stuffed Mushrooms

2 dozen medium-sized fresh button mushrooms

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

1/3 cup butter

1 teaspoon fresh minced parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Clean and remove stems from mushrooms; chop finely. Combine chopped mushroom stems, garlic, bread crumbs, cheeses, butter, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stuff mushrooms with this mixture. Put on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 2 dozen.