Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tasty Treats

Mom spent several years away from the hollow. During these years she worked as a waitress/server in some upscale restaurants. She could pile plates three and four deep on one arm! And, she brought home lots of simple appetizer ideas. One of her favorites was a pineapple ring on a lettuce leaf. She would pile up cottage cheese in the center. As a child I thought this was her invention. Years later I found it on the menu at an old-fashioned steak house. In fact, their 'starters' sounded a lot like what Mom served us back in the hollow. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. I hope you enjoy these vintage recipes.
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Olive Teasers
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Coat large stuffed olives with softened cream cheese. Roll in finely chopped nuts. Chill in refrigerator. Insert toothpicks before serving.

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Stuff Celery Spears
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Blend together softened cream cheese and milk. Mix in a few grains celery salt, few drops Worcestershire sauce and very finely chopped radish and green pepper or pimiento and parsley. Stuff cleaned celery with the cheese mixture.

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Smoked Cheese Blossoms
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Soften smoked cheese and mix with chopped pimiento, sweet pickle and crisp crumbled bacon. Roll into small balls and chill in refrigerator. Insert toothpicks before serving.

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Bacon-Wrapped Olives
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Wrap pimiento or almond-stuffed olives in pieces of bacon. Fasten with picks. Put in shallow baking dish. Bake or broil until bacon is done. (Tip: soak toothpicks in water for 15 minutes before using to keep from burning)

2 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Bet your Mom made alot of money through tips back then....My kids worked as waiters in several restaurants when they were younger... They made more money than I did at times... One of my sons is still in the restaurant management business.

All of the goodies look so good. I love cream cheese --with ANYTHING... And of course, bacon is good with anything too.... YUM

Hope you are doing okay... It's been darn hot this summer.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pam said...

I really like your blog!

Lucky you with mom bringing the appetizers home! All the treats sound great and I will definitely try the olive teasers.