Are you hosting a party, bridal shower or baby shower and haven’t a clue as to what to serve as appetizers? Sometimes it’s the smallest things that count the most and that means appetizers. Consider cooking up a storm but first dive into the sea for some tasty treats for the palate! Here are seven appetizers sure to delight any seafood lover!
Here is some of my favorite family recipes handed down through the generations. They include sushi poppers, smoked salmon with cucumber dip, creamy clam dip for vegetables, hot crab dip, succulent shrimp spread, tuna melt and creamed lobster. Delight the palate! Get ready to dig in and enjoy!
Sushi Poppers
Ingredients
1 cup freshly cooked short grain rice
3 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds or black sesame seeds (optional)
In large shallow dish, spread rice. Sprinkle with seasoned rice vinegar and sesame seeds. Using wooden spoon, toss gently to combine (do not stir or rice will clump). Keep rice covered with a damp cloth if not using immediately.
Using wet fingers, place rounded teaspoon of rice in the palm of your hand. Make an indentation in the centre and place desired filling inside. Dip fingers into water and pack rice firmly around filling to make a small ball. Repeat process with remaining rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or dot of washabi, if desired. Cover with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature until ready to serve.
Makes 30 pieces.
Smoked Salmon with Cucumber Dip
Ingredients
2 medium cucumbers
½ cup sour cream
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 ½ tbsp finely cut chives
¾ tsp fresh or dried dill
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
½ lb. smoked salmon
pumpernickel bread
Wash and peel cucumbers. Slice thin. Combine sour cream, vinegar, chives, dill, salt and pepper. Pour over cucumbers and mix. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours.
Slice salmon paper-thin and then place on thin rounds of buttered pumpernickel bread. Serve cucumber mixture in a bowl as a dip to which guests can help themselves and spread on top of salmon.
Creamy Clam Dip for Vegetables
Ingredients
1 7-1/2 oz. can baby clams (drained)
1/3 cup clam juice
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp green onions or chives, chopped
6 drops Tabasco sauce
Mix the above ingredients together until well blended. Place in a serving bowl on a tray with a variety of vegetables.
Hot Crab Dip
Ingredients
1 large pkg cream cheese
7 pkgs frozen king crab
1 medium onion
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ cup margarine
dash of garlic powder and red pepper to taste
Set cream cheese out to soften. Melt margarine in a saucepan and add onion and cream cheese. Stir over low heat until mixture is consistent. Add THAWED packages of crab (drained). Then add Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle garlic powder and red pepper to taste. Serve warm with seasoned crackers or raw vegetables. This dip may be made in advance and warmed for serving.
Succulent Shrimp Spread
Ingredients
2 cans small shrimp
1-cup seafood cocktail sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 green pepper, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 tomato, diced
Mix shrimp, cocktail sauce and mozzarella cheese together. Spread over a 12’ pie plate or quiche dish. Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and spread over first layer. Arrange chopped tomato, green pepper and green onion on top. Serve with assorted crackers. Recipe may be halved and prepared in a 6’ dish.
Tuna Melt
Ingredients
4 croissants
2 cups flaked tuna, drained
¼ cup minced onions
¼ cup minced celery
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
Slice the croissants in half. Blend the tuna with the onions, celery, mayonnaise and mustard. Spread mixture on croissants. Sprinkle with cheeses and broil for two minutes. Serve with a rich cream soup.
Note: Salmon can be substituted for tuna if you prefer.
Creamed Lobster
White Sauce
Ingredients
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
½ tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups cream (milk)
¼ tsp white pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour. Stir into a paste. Add the cream (milk) and stir, simmering until thickened. Add the seasonings and simmer two more minutes.
Main Ingredients
2 cups diced, cooked lobster
2 tsp lemon juice
2 drops Tabasco sauce
2 cups medium white sauce
Add lobster to sauce and gently heat. Add lemon juice and Tabasco sauce. Serve on toast or patty shells.
Another tasty treat to serve along side your appetizers is cottage cheese with pineapple pieces mixed in. Yum! The pineapple jazzes up the flavor of the cheese and gives it that added something. If fresh pineapple is not in season and too expensive, canned pineapple will do just fine.