Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Last Minute Easy Appetizer

Happy New Year's Eve, dear readers! Tonight's the big family New Year's Party. We start off the evening with a vast appetizer spread at my place, with parlor games (scattergories, guesstures, pictionary, etc.) for the young and old. After a couple of hours, when everyone starts to wilt or get wild, we have a change of venue and head to my mom's place for a taquito extravaganza. My favorite part of the night is a little game my mom started decades ago. Everyone writes down the three very best things of the past year on a 3 by 5 card. The cards are collected and read aloud by noisy me, and we all try to guess to whom it belongs. My mom saves all the cards so we can still read about the time that my best memory was an Adam Ant concert. It really was a great concert, I tell you. The toughest part of my mom's game is limiting the three best things to THREE best things. For this year, I'd have to include our recent trip to Europe, a family reunion this summer, the births of the newest babies to our evergrowing family, getting the Quiet Man one step closer to his doctorate, watching my daughter dance in the Nutcracker or with her nose in a novel, seeing my little boy overcome his fears and play his violin in public and also his current obsession with his villainous ability to raise one eyebrow, and just living everyday knowing that I have enough of everything that I need to be healthy and happy. And of course, starting this Prudence Pennywise blog, which has brought me truckloads of fiber, vitamins, minerals, calories and unabashed joy in 2008.
And here's a quick appetizer for your big parties tonight:
Spread out a sheet of saran wrap on a work surface and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
Take an 8 ounce block of cream cheese from the fridge.
Pat it onto the saran wrap into a 8 by 6 inch rectangle.
Spread about 3 tablespoons filling to within 1 inch of the edges. I've used raspberry chipotle jam here, but I love hot pepper jelly, fruit jam, cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, chili sauce, red or green salsa, chutney, or even sweet and sour sauce.
Gently roll it up, using the saran wrap to roll it along. Store it in the fridge until serving time...or serve immediately with crackers, chips, or bread. Garnish with fresh herbs, chopped scallions, nuts, or spices. If you were able to get your cream cheese for $1 a block, then this appetizer won't cost you much more than that!
Have a very very Happy New Year. Here's looking forward to an economical but magically delicious 2009.

36 comments:

gigi said...

How fun your family is! What great memories yall make together. Here's hoping 2009 brings you many more blessings! Happy New Year!

pam said...

Now, I've got Ant Music running through my head!

Tanji said...

Prudy, your party sounds wonderful!! You have such a great family: lots of people, lots of laughs, and oodles of delicious food - what could be better? I'll be spending my New Year's chaperoning the youth dance until 1am. That's right, and serving pancakes from a mix with a side of Sunny D. It's always fun to be with the youth, but your party sounds much more fun! If that's the Razzpotle stuff from Costco - we love that! My son likes it on a bagel with cream cheese. Have a happy New year! I going to use your mom's 3 things idea! I'm all about tradition stealing. :)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Faaaabulous memories.

Happy New Year's Eve!!

Jenny said...

Happy New Year to you and your family Prudy! Your blog is always a pleasure to come to!

Maria said...

I love easy! This one looks like a crowd pleaser too! Happy New Year!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the music!!!!

Happy New Year! And that looks to be a GREAT appaetizer!

Mary Ann said...

What a fun family party. Great traditions. My hubby is trying to get me to go out tonight and I am trying to convince him to stay in. We will have to see who wins.
This looks like a great appetizer- fast and delicious.
I am glad that 2008 brought us Prudence Pennywise too. Can't wait for 2009!

Michal said...

i'm so glad that you started prudence pennywise this year, too. not only has it meant that i had access to so many of your amazing recipes, but i feel like i have a better feel for what's going on in your life, as our phone calls are infrequent. i vow to call you in january and catch up. have a great new year's with that wonderful clan of yours.

NKP said...

Yes! I am all about the easy peasy.
Great little trick for an easy-to-put-together-yet-still-delish appetizer.
Happy New Year!

Megan said...

Great quick tip! Thanks for sharing an Happy New Year!

Deb in Hawaii said...

What a great, easy appetizer and so much more elegant than dumping the jelly on a brick of cream cheese like I have done in the past! ;-)

Happy New Year to you and your family--here's to a great 2009!

Aloha,

Deb

grace said...

i'm sorry, did you say raspberry chipotle jam? that sounds glorious. great appetizer, prudy--have a great party and a happy 2009!

The Blonde Duck said...

It looks delicious! Have a wonderful New Year's Eve! I feel particuarly boring compared to you. We're just staying home.

Marie Rayner said...

What a delicious sounding appetizer Erin!! I am going to have to try this out. I loved reading about all your New Years Traditions! A very Happy New Year to you and yours! Looking forward to more delightful posts on PP in the coming year!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Prudie --

Thanks for the appetizer recipe -- it looks delicious! I just wanted to let you know that your taquito New Year's Eve tradition looked so tasty that we incorporated it in to our night last night!

Thanks for all of the great recipes and ideas. I have so enjoyed getting to know you in 2008. Wishing you and your sweet family and wonderful 2009!

XOXOXOXO
Jen

Anonymous said...

What a fun evening!

Happy new year, dear Prudy, and thanks for starting your wonderful blog. You've been a lot of fun to stalk. :-)

Emily said...

Hope you have a great new year!

The taquito party sounds like fun.

Sophie said...

You have such a fun family, that sounds like a great family tradition! Have a blessed New Year :)!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Prudy, what a fun tradition! And what a delicious and easy appetizer!! Your blog has brought lots of those same things to your readers too. Look forward to reading more of your concoctions in 2009.
Nancy

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Oh I just realized that raspberry/chipotle jam may be the only jam (except for apricot and raspberry) that I don't have in my collection! But I think fig and pecans might be good with the cream cheese.
Nancy

Catherine said...

Dear Prudy,
I've been so busy enjoying your company and food, that I haven't had a chance to even get on a computer! I love this appetizer. I've never made it, but I always enjoy it at your house! I love your taquitos. They were so delicious this year. And your itty bitty chessecake was also a winner! I can't think of a better place to ring in the new year! Thanks for sharing!

Debbie said...

Happy New Year! Your blog is so much fun....love reading it!!!

Cathy said...

You've got some fun family traditions! I missed this post in time for New Year's, but I'm thinking that it will make a mighty fine January 3d appetizer as well! Happy New Year, Prudy -- I am looking forward to more wonderful posts from you in 2009!

Anonymous said...

What a neat way to enjoy cream cheese!

And that is such a cute game - what a party!

Deanna said...

I have poured my hot pepper jelly over my cream cheese but never rolled it up inside before. I will have to try that!

Marjie said...

I counted more than 3 favorite things in that excellent list, Prudy! I hope my brood is as close in years to come as you are with your siblings. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Great log here Prudy. I'm not a major cream cheese fan but it works so well when making quick and last minute eats. And I too, love pepper jam! yum!! Marhshall's and TJ Maxx have really great jams in their gourmet food section! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I love your family's New Year tradition, particularly your mom's game!

Being a cream cheese lover, this appetizer is right up my alley. I'm already thinking of ideas for fillings!

Every Gym's Nightmare said...

Happy Belated New Year!

Kelly Turner
www.everygymsnightmare.com

Tracy said...

What a great tradition! The Adam Ant concert cracked me up.

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Darius T. Williams said...

Whew - looks great!

-Darius
www.everydaycookin.com

alexandra's kitchen said...

Very cool! great idea. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Oh, that raspberry chipolte jam sounds terrific.

I'm also very grateful for a wonderful thing in your life... starting this Prudence Pennywise place for you to land. Here's to more in 2009!

~Cat

Anonymous said...

I love this appetizer idea. Such an upgrade to the block of cream cheese with salsa dumped on top! I haven't visited in a bit, but glad to have time to do so. Your recipes still look awesome and are inspiring, and I love your New Year's Eve tradition. Missed it for this year, but maybe next. Hope you had a lovely holiday season.