Two Simple Appetizer Recipes From My Early Catering Days

Fun fact: my catering career started with college fraternity parties. 

Okay, technically they were sorority and fraternity formals, but in college no one really seemed to grasp the difference between “formal” and “frat”, aside from the dressed up attire.

Except for me. 

Not because it meant I got to don a cute new dress and get ready with my friends, blare 90’s hits, and drink bourbon and coke.

But because it meant I got to host. 

Long before catering called as an actual career (I was headed to nursing school at the time), I still found myself the (only) volunteer to prepare a proper appetizer spread before a fancier event. 

I would call up my mom and pick her brain for recipes and spend hours meticulously assembling displays of food for my friends. 

I’ll be honest - they couldn’t have cared less; they were mostly there for the drinks. But I had a blast. 

Admittedly, the food was nowhere near Pantry or KWC standards, but it was the first time I got a taste of event and party life - and long before I realized I could make a career out of it. 

And now, as we’re still somewhat home-bound and experimenting with new hobbies, I’ve been reminiscing on my early adventures in cooking. 

It really started a simple hobby. Something I found joy in even when most of my friends would rather skip the fancy hors d’oeuvres and get straight to the party. 

I had no idea that hobby would grow into what it is today. I just knew it was something I wanted to keep experimenting with. 

So, for any of you who are looking for a new COVID-friendly hobby or new experiment, I thought I’d share a couple of my early appetizer recipes.

These are two or my earlier experiments, and are a good place to start if you’re not entirely confident in the kitchen yet (and even if you are, they’re still delicious additions to your appetizer rotation!)

Enjoy!

What new hobbies have you picked up over quarantine? Let me know in the comments!

Appetizer Recipes

MUSHROOMS STUFFED WITH HERB BREADCRUMBS, SHERRY, AND SWISS

Ingredients:

Filling

¾  lb mushrooms, ROUGHLY pulsed in food processor, or finely chopped by hand

1 c chopped green onions

¼  cup sherry wine

½  cup shredded swiss or emmenthaler

½  c grated parmesan

1 cup dried breadcrumbs, from rustic bread

1/3  cup heavy cream

1/4 -1/2  tsp kosher salt

ground pepper, to taste

3 dozen  medium mushrooms, stems removed

Topping

¼  cup toasted breadcrumbs for topping

¼  cup grated parmesan

Directions:

Melt 1 T butter and 1 T oil in a large skillet.  Add green onions and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes.  Add mushrooms, raise heat and cook until until lightly browned, 5-7 minutes.  Add sherry and cook until almost dry, about 2-5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool. 

Add cheeses, breadcrumbs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.  Adjust seasonings if necessary.

Stuff mushroom caps.  Top each mushroom with mixed  topping of breadcurmbs and pecorino.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

TOASTED ASPARAGUS SANDWICHES

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

¼  c. mayonnaise

¼  tsp salt

¾ tsp lemon zest

Sandwich Bread – I like Pepperidge Farm “Sandwich Bread”

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, salt, and lemon zest.  Set aside.*

Cut crusts off bread slices and roll slightly. (I like to say “approximately as thin as a powder puff”).   Spread with cream cheese and place asparagus spear in the center, trimming to fit bread.  Brush generously with melted butter and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.  Bake at 400 for 10 to 12 minutes.

*there will likely be more of this mix than you need, but will keep 7-10 days in the refrigerator.