Monday, December 28, 2009

A Trio of Tasty Appys


If you’re anything like me, you like to ring in the New Year with a few good buds at a house party featuring fine wine, gourmet goodies, and the latest and greatest playing over the sound system. This year’s end-of-the year party is no different, except that for a lot of people it’s been one heck of a year. It reminds me of the last words uttered by the Wicked Witch in the movie The Wizard of Oz: “Look what you've done! I'm melting! Melting! Oh, what a world! What a world!”

Yes, old girl. What a melt down world we’ve lived in this year.

Perhaps the end of 2009 calls for lower key homey comfort in place of the normal razz matazz. Move over iPod, Dick Clark’s back on the tube. With just a little inspiration your New Year’s Eve celebration can be both festive and comforting by tweaking a few of our traditional Southern favorites.

My Open Face Tomato Sandwiches with Candied Bacon are based on simple tomato sandwiches made with white bread, a slather of mayo and a red, ripe, salted slice of tomato. They’re a bit soggy and a tad messy, but whether it’s now or when they’re in season this summer, you just can’t get enough.

I’m sure you have attended at least one party that included stuffed potato jackets as a pass-around appy. My version of this treat roasts fingerling potatoes and tops them with velvety cream and succulent salmon. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Smoked Salmon and Dill is a perfect make ahead yummy.

Every tried and true Southern hostess boasts her version of pimento cheese. Mine comes from the recipe files of a good pal, adding almonds and a crunch of bacon to the spread. Almond and Bacon Spiked Pimento Cheese Triangles is my tweak on this staple.

Ease your way a long, long way away from 2009 by inviting your pals to nibble and nosh on a few easy-to-prepare Southern inspired appys. Pop open the bubbly and ring in 2010. Let’s wish for a very good year – for all!!

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