4 Tasty Appetizers You Can Make With Potato

4 Tasty Appetizers You Can Make With Potato



By Misha Anatolia

It's time for the party and you need to put your appetizers together. It doesn't matter if you're hosting a large family reunion, a friendly holiday party, or a special bridal shower, you don't want to spend the entire time in the kitchen. You want appetizers that are yummy, crowd-pleasing, and easy to make ahead of time so you can be with your guests and enjoying the fun. Why not look to a food that everyone loves-potatoes-to make some enjoyable appetizers to tickle the taste buds and get the party going.

Here are 4 tasty appetizers you can make with potatoes:

1. Chunky potato wedges are a great way to utilize potatoes. The skins bake up crisp and delicious and the potatoes can be flavored with different salts, seasonings and spices. Cut up baking, russet or Yukon gold potatoes long ways into wedges. Toss in extra virgin olive oil and add your favorite flavorings. Seasoned salt, pepper, or kosher salt are good, but you can also add chopped rosemary, paprika, parmesan cheese, or even curry powder. Pick and choose which will go over well at your party. You can make a large batch ahead of time and keep them set on a low warming heat in the oven until it's time to serve them at the party.

2. Potato skins are a hit in restaurants, so why not serve them at your party. Again, this is a bake ahead item you can keep warm and serve hot to your guests. The best way is to bake several potatoes until they're soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. After they cool down, slice in half and scoop out the potato pulp, placing it in a bowl on the side. Cut the two halves of the potato into to more halves. Add salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet. Take the potato pulp that's in the bowl and add butter, sour cream, salt and pepper. Mix together well like you're making mashed potatoes. Then, layer a spoonful of the mixture on top of the potato shell. Add shredded cheese, bacon bits, and sliced scallions. Bake until golden brown and the cheese it melted. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top. If you're keeping these warm in the oven before your guests arrive, it's best to save putting the cheese on until last. Then your guests can enjoy a warm, gooey, delicious appetizer.

3. Potato balls are delicious and easy to make. Peel and chop a pound of potatoes. Place in a pot of water and boil until soft, about 20 minutes. After draining, mash the potatoes with two tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. Spoon potatoes into your hand and form a one inch ball. Mix a half teaspoon of paprika with a half cup of wheat germ. Roll the potato ball in this mixture and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all of the potatoes are rolled and on the sheet. Spray the balls with the cooking spray and then place in oven to bake for 20-25 minutes. When finished, remove to paper towels and then place on a serving platter with toothpicks for your guests to enjoy.

4. Spicy potato chips. This is certain to be a crowd pleaser and very easy to make. Purchase your favorite bag of brand name potato chips. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place potato chips in a large bowl and add two tablespoons of your favorite seasoning like Cajun spice or Old Bay. Spray everything generously with a vegetable oil or olive oil cooking spray. Get your hands into the game by mixing the chips and spices together, careful that every chip gets seasoned and has spray on it. Spread potato chips out onto a baking sheet in one layer. This may take a couple of batches. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes and then serve. This is a great way to kick up your favorite store bought chips into a delicacy that will make your friend think you made it all yourself.

These foods are great for all kinds of parties, even weddings and bridal showers. So next time you have some spare potatoes lying around, be sure to remember these delicious recipes.

Misha Anatolia writes about party planning for various occasions, including bridal showers. For more bridal shower food ideas or other appetizer ideas for parties, check out more of Misha's bridal shower recipes.

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Host Your Own Casino Theme Night

Host Your Own Casino Theme Night

By Mark Elmer

If you are searching around for ideas on a theme to entertain guests at home then why not try a casino theme night party. This theme works great for birthday parties, social events or just for an evening with your friends. Here are some tips to prepare you for this type of evening.

Ask your guests to dress up for the evening, just like you see in the movies, create an atmosphere as if you really are in Las Vegas for the night.

These days you can pretty much host any casino game you can think of at home. You can play Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Poker or even have slot machines (slot machines are illegal in some areas, you can buy imitation ones though). Some of the latest video slot games you find in casino's today are now available to play on your computer by installing a simple software package.

To really make the night exciting and authentic you need to set up your party area properly with lots of chase lights and casino themed decor. You could have giant jackpot symbols like 777's on the wall or giant playing cards, why not cut out some large cardboard casino chips and color them in.

Light finger snacks that are quick and easy to serve are best for your menu. You don't want a barbecue as your guests will be in and out the house watching their food cook and your games won't run smoothly. A formal dinner will also interfere with the nights activities.

Hiring dealers for the night may be a good idea depending or the size of your guest list. If you don't want to hire a dealer then you could enlist the help of one of your friends or neighbors for the evening. You don't want your guests to be involved in any dealing duties, they will be much happier enjoying the games. Alternatively you could handle the dealing yourself if you are only running one game. If you wish to host a craps evening you will need to have a couple of dealers to run the game properly. Poker is the exception, as you can quite easily rotate the dealing around the table without ruining the fun.

Send out your invitations nice and early, be sure to include something casino related in the envelope, perhaps a casino chip or a playing card, this will get your guests excited about your evening well in advance and helps to make sure they clear their schedules to attend.

You don't have to play for money, you could play for fun even play for drinks. Casino theme nights as a fundraiser to benefit a local charity will work exceptionally well.

Why not give it a try, it really will make a fantastic evening and everyone can join in the fun.

For more detailed information hosting your evening and ideas on equipment you will need please check out my site Casino Theme Nights

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How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

By Sara D Voca

Who doesn't love a party? Any chance to get friends together to have a laugh, while eating good food and sharing a glass of something, has to be one of life's ultimate pleasures. But for the occasion to be one everyone talks about, there is (like anything successful!) a bit of planning that needs to be done before hand.

Why are we partying?

What's the occasion? Is it something special or a 'just because'? Deciding why you are having the event and what you want everyone to feel while under your spell is probably the biggest tip I could give you. Like anything, determining an end goal and reason will help with the planning. Do you want a few close friends for an intimate get together, elegant and dressy, or perhaps it is a toddler's birthday party with family & friends?

Where is it?

Once you have established the 'why' we move on to the what. Appetizers with cocktails, a family picnic or perhaps a Sunday roast with close friends? There are so many ideas to play with. Be creative and if the event allows think about unusual places that would add that extra dimension to your party. This will also help with the 'when' part of the party mix

How much?

This is a another biggie and easily overlooked. Once you have established the why and the what, you'll need to work out a budget. This can sometime be a bit of a reality check with some people, as entertaining can be very expensive. It doesn't have to be and this is where a budget will help determine the food and drinks you will serve. Will it be ten to a 4 course meal or ten to cocktails and hor d'oeuvres? Also think about a theme as decorating the table or venue will need to be included. Will you need invitations or will an email do? Will you want wait staff or can you do it all.

Finishing touches

So invitations have been sent and your day is drawing near, make sure you have allowed enough time to clean if necessary - don't leave this to the day of the event, you will be too busy getting the food ready and doing last minute touches to the decorations.

Don't be put off with all the things you need to do 'winging it' just doesn't cut it. A well organised and thought out event will mean less stress, and less chance something will go wrong. Even if there is a last minute problem you will be much better equipped to deal with it.

Discover one of Sara's favourite party ideas here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/. You'll find reviews and how to buy at the cheapest prices on the web here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/.

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