Throwdown: Christmas/Holiday Appetizers

[CrazyChef]

[CliffC]

You mean this CliffC

Buffalo Theory

'Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.

And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'
_________________

[Mrs. K.A.M.]

Entry 2 of 3 Appetizers with 3 ingredients or less.

Meat Cups.
Prep. time 10 minutes.
Cook time 20 minutes.
Left over pork butt chili out of the freezer, Frig. biscuits, and shredded cheddar cheese.


Rolled out the biscuits.


Filled with chili.


After 15 minutes I forgot to take a pic and put cheese on and back in oven for 5 minutes.


Done.

_________________
Got Fire?

My UDS.

[jeepdad]

Want something quick and different with a no-kidding kick....


Mix the apple jelly and pineapple perserves.


Add the dry mustard.


Add the horseradish and ground black pepper.


Mix it all up.


Pour over a block of cream cheese.


And serve!

Crazy, But Delicious, Hot Sauce

Preparation time: 10 minutes. Makes 1 quart

Ingredients:
• One 18 ounce jar of pineapple preserves
• One 18 ounce jar of apple jelly
• 2 ounces of Coleman's dry mustard
• One 5 ounce jar of horseradish
• 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
• One 8 ounce block of cream cheese

Instructions:
• Mix all ingredients (except the cream cheese) together in a mixing bowl
• Pour 1 cup of the mixture (or to your taste) over an 8 ounce block of cream cheese

Serve this dip with crackers and / or chips

[Mrs. K.A.M.]

Entry 3 of 3 Appetizers with 3 ingredients or less.

Prep. time 5 minutes.
Frito pie in the bag.
The rest of the left over pork butt chili out of the freezer, Mexican 4 cheese, and Fritos.


Open bag of Fritos.


Add Chili.


Add Cheese.


Stir and eat.

_________________
Got Fire?

My UDS.

[Big Ron]

Smiling game face, but with serious intentions!



Holiday Themed- Big Ron's Avacado Bacon Shrimp Poppers
Ingredients
-Cream Cheese
-Fresh Ripe Avacados
-Sun Dried Tomatoes
-Jumbo Shrimp
-Bacon Slices
-Red Bell Pepper or -Jalapeno (I used both for christmas colors)
-Big Ron's Hint of Houston
(**I could not resist to dice some jalapeno and add, but not needed)

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 1/2 hrs

Incorporate cream cheese, sliced avacados, diced sun dried tomatoes, and season with Big Ron's Hint of Houston to taste. Sliced and holow jalapeno or bell peppers and slice into wedges. Fill top of wedges with creamy avacado mixture, place shrimp on top and wrap with bacon slice, dust with Hint of Houston, and bake at 350 until bacon is to your desired texture. Enjoy!!
_________________
Big Ron
Owner and Founder
Big Ron's Rub: Just Rub It On!
www.bigronswebsite.com

(Find Big Ron's Rub on Facebook)
Big Ron's Custom Reverse Flow Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQxbfOx_MOE

[SmokeHound]

Holy Toledo!! Ya’ll are kickin’ out some fine apps and I love those game faces!!!

Well. . . looks like it’s time to face the music and post my entries. . . I did 2 appetizers this go around: Sausage cream cheese pastries and Lil smokies biscuits – here's the first one:

Sausage Cream Cheese in puff pastry:
Total Prep time: 15 minutes
Finish Baking time: 5 minutes
# of ingredients: 7

INGREDIENTS:
Puff pastry – shells are quicker but sheets allow you to cut the exact size you want
2# Jimmy Dean sausage (I usually go with 1# hot and 1# regular so it’s not too spicy for the rest of the family)
2 pkgs cream cheese
1 medium onion (white), diced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsps dried thyme
1 Tbsp onion powder



PREPARATION (smack talk included):
Most of this requires multi-tasking, so you men will likely have a difficult time with this recipe. . . It’s okay, the women-folk understand. . . .

Par-bake the puff pastry shells (or you can make squares out of the puff pastry sheets – either way is fine) at the recommended temp but cut the cooking time to 12 minutes.


SIMULATANEOUSLY brown the sausage (~3 mins), then add in the onions and sauté for 2 minutes – add in the garlic, thyme and onion powder and cook for 30 seconds.


Remove from heat and dump in the softened cream cheese and break up into chunks – it’ll start melting into the sausage as you mix it – about 3 minutes.


Remove the centers from the shells (or make an indent if using pastry sheets) and fill par-baked puff-pastry pieces or cups with the sausage mixture (about 2-3 Tbsps per cup or piece – make sure they’re mounded up).


Broiled on low for 2 -4 minutes, until bubbly and tops are browned. Alow to cool for 5 minutes then serve (hot filling will blister the roof of your mouth):




(note: the sausage filling can be used to stuff mushrooms as well – they’re awesome!)

These can also be done with italian sausage and goat cheese - they are AMAZING and go great with red wine!
_________________


New Braunfels stick burner
Weber-Smokey Joe
TBD-wishlist

~~~ and a big fat LIAR, too! ~~~

[SmokeHound]

My second entry. . . .

App #2

Lil Smokies Biscuits:
Total Prep time: < 8 minutes
Finish Baking time: 15 minutes
# of ingredients: 3

INGREDIENTS:
1 can pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits
1 package Lil Smokies
Habañero pepper jelly (hotter is better!)



PREPARATION:
Split each of the 8 biscuits in half by pulling them apart from the edges - making 16 full rounds. – 4 minutes


Place approximately 1 tsp of habañero pepper jelly on each biscuit round. Put 1 or 2 smokies in center of biscuit and wrap around the smokey, making sure to squeeze the edges together very well so they don’t come apart. - 3 minutes


Bake for 12-15 minutes on cookie sheet lined with parchment (the jelly will caramelize and become a PITA to clean later). Here are the finished pics:




Well, there you go . . . .
_________________


New Braunfels stick burner
Weber-Smokey Joe
TBD-wishlist

~~~ and a big fat LIAR, too! ~~~

[Hell Fire Grill]

I won the last TD with that same basic recipe - the habanero jelly. That and I dident use an easy bake oven with a brown 40 watt light bulb, I used a charcoal grill.

[SmokeHound]

[smalltruck]

Well I step away for a day to let the competition heat up and it looks like some of it cooled down.

Mrs KAM is leading with a strong game face on the girls side
Cliffc looks like the Unabomber in training...great job

On the food side it looks like some of you have hit a home run, others tried for a bunt single and struck out.

Oh Smokehound, whens the scratch and sniff moniter coming?

[smalltruck]

As a judge I aint saying which recipes I will be testing, ok most of them in coming weeks...

[KAKid]

Well, according to my list, there are 6 entrants not posted so far. Don't let the time get away from you.

According to roolz, deadline is 3pm Eastern, 2pm Central, 1pm Mountain (the forgotten time zone), and Noon Pacific. (for the time impaired)

Bring 'em on, folks! Come on out and play!
_________________
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them.


Chargriller Outlaw w/SFB and Mods
Pair of UDS's
10 gal CI Chili/Jambalaya pot

[whitey]

Judges I am going to have to ask for an extension on turning in My score.How do all of You feel about that.
Or I will just Keep My thoughts out of it this time.
I need a quick response on this for I am going to be away from the computer till this evening around 5:00
Sorry but this crap was another last minute deal.
Whitey
_________________
Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

[KAKid]

That can work for us. Our posting to be done 9pm Eastern (6pm Pacific). If you have any results so far, you can PM them to us to consider. That's my feeling. Others?
_________________
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them.


Chargriller Outlaw w/SFB and Mods
Pair of UDS's
10 gal CI Chili/Jambalaya pot

[KAKid]

If you have a time crunch, PM results to me then I'll distribute to other Judges.
_________________
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them.


Chargriller Outlaw w/SFB and Mods
Pair of UDS's
10 gal CI Chili/Jambalaya pot

[BigAL]

Look'n good everyone. Fun post to read. Thanks.
_________________
Louisiana "Whole Hog" smoker
Traeger Texas Style
Weber 22.5 OTS
"Anyone can smoke, only few can BBQ."

[Oregon smoker]

That is the most interesting idea so far. Makes clean up easy to. Perfect for tailgating.

[SmokeHound]

[KAKid]

Sorry folks, time's up for submissions. Now we gotta find out who that imposter is!!!