Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
TEXARKANA, Ark. –
Chances are that you already have plans for New Year’s Eve. It may be to celebrate quietly or maybe you have a big party in mind. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, make sure hors d’oeuvres are included in the plan.
Appetizers or hors d’oeuvres are one of the easiest ways to add excitement and stimulate conversation among guests, as well as add a festive atmosphere. The varieties of savory and innovative appetizers are endless. With careful planning and advanced preparation, mouth-watering appetizers can be made with a minimal amount of time and effort.
Party Planning
When selecting appetizers, keep in mind the type of occasion, menu, number of guests, and the time needed to prepare each course. Those that can be made ahead of time and frozen, then heated at the last minute, are good choices.
When appetizers appear as the main menu feature, plan a wide variety.You may experiment with some that suggest just a hint of foreign cuisine, but also serve other more traditional ones and you’ll be sure to please practically all your guests.
When deciding between hot and cold appetizers, consider the amount of space available in the refrigerator and oven. It is best to make dips and spreads in advance; many times their flavor improves if stored in the refrigerator two or three days before serving. If serving hot appetizers, they need to be served in stages, so as the guests finish one batch, another piping hot one is ready. Electric plates or chafing dishes also are convenient for keeping hors d’oeuvres warm.
When serving more than one kind of appetizer, offer a variety of contrasting colors, textures and flavors. A cool creamy yogurt dip with fresh vegetables, a rich cheese and crab fondue, a dish of sweet and sour meatballs, and curried chicken spread is a multi-taste and texture combination. Don’t be afraid to serve exotic or spicy appetizers. For calorie conscious guests, try to provide a few lower-calorie options.
In general, the number of appetizers needed will depend upon the length of time the guests will remain. For a four hour period, plan on approximately eight appetizers per person during the first two hours and four appetizers per person for the remaining two hours.
If serving appetizers on one central table, dress it up. Let your imagination run wild and be creative. Use the traditional floral centerpiece or decorate with top hats, confetti, tiara’s, and canes. It’s not the amount you spend on decorations that counts, but that you make it memorable.
Appetizer presentation can be enhanced by using the food itself as decoration. Huge crackers make novel display platters for molded spreads or sliced meat and cheeses. Festive containers for dips and spreads can be made by scooping out squash, eggplant, tomatoes, green or red peppers, apples, pineapples, melons or avocados. Braided or shaped bread loaves can also be hollowed out and filled with dips or spreads. For elegant finger sandwiches, use cookie cutters to cut the bread. Also, instead of spreading the filling on open-faced sandwiches, use a pastry bag to apply an attractive swirl.
No matter what appetizers you choose to serve at your New Year’s Eve party, remember to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
As you prepare your menu, consider some of these appetizers. They are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Pita Triangles
1 packet (1 oz.) Ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
6 pita pocket breads, separated into 12 rounds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
Combine dressing mix and butter. Spread 2 teaspoons of mixture on rough side of each round; sprinkle with one-half teaspoon sesame seed. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 minutes or until crisp. Immediately cut each one into 6 wedges. Yield: 72 wedges.
Shrimp and Cheddar Snacks
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
6 ounces shrimp, chopped, rinsed and drained
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
42 slices snack rye brad, toasted
Combine cheese, mayonnaise, shrimp, onion, and garlic powder; mix well. Spread 1 tablespoon over each slice of bread; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 7 - 9 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot. Yield: 3 ½ dozen.
Ham Rolls
8 ounces light cream cheese
3 tablespoons ground almonds
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon mustard
4 slices ham - sliced thin enough to roll
Combine the first eight ingredients and mix until thoroughly blended. Spread mix evenly on the ham slices. Roll and slice into disks. Serve on crackers, bread or with toothpicks.
White Cheese Ball
2 (8 ounce) packages light cream cheese
1 package ranch salad dressing mix
1 cup chopped pecans or nuts (optional)
dried parsley
oregano
Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Mix cream cheese and dressing mix together until ingredients are well blended. Shape mixture into a ball; sprinkle cheese ball with parsley and oregano. Then gently pat chopped nuts into ball. Serve with crackers, chops or bread slices cut with cookie cutters.
By Carla Due County Extension Agent - FCSThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Carla Due County Extension Agent - FCSU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854 (870) 779-3609 cdue@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.