Bayou Seafood Hors Doeuvres

BLEND OF THE BAYOU

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, cook and stir cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until melted and smooth. , In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion, celery and green pepper in remaining butter until tender. Stir in shrimp, crab, soup, rice, mushrooms, garlic salt, pepper sauce, cayenne and cream cheese mixture., Combine cheddar cheese and cracker crumbs; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 25-30 minutes.

GERMAN STEAK TARTARE (HORS D'OEUVRES)

Steps:

• Lightly oil the inside of a 5-cup ring mold.
• Drain oil off anchovy fillets; separate and drain each on paper towels.
• Chop 4 of the fillets very finely and leave remaining whole; set aside.
• Chop onion very finely—you should have 1/2 cup.
• Put chopped anchovy, chopped onion, ground beef, capers, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl.
• Using a wooden spoon, toss and mix until very well combined.
• Taste, and if necessary, add more seasonings.
• Mixture should be highly seasoned.
• Spoon meat mixture into the prepared ring mold, pressing down firmly with the back of a wooden spoon to pack tightly and remove all air holes.
• Cover meat-filled mold tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 3 hours or until ready to serve.
• To unmold: Uncover ring mold.
• Using a small knife, loosen meat mixture from edges of mold.
• Place a serving dish upside down on top of mold; invert mold and serving dish.
• Shake firmly to release meat mixture; remove mold.
• To garnish and serve: Arrange anchovies on top of meat mixture in a crisscross fashion and garnish with red pepper cubes.
• Drain olives; mound in center of ring mold.
• Arrange watercress around edge of meat.
• Be sure to keep the Steak Tartare refrigerated until ready to serve.
• It is especially good served on unsalted saltine crackers, English water biscuits, or small rounds of rye bread.

PARTY RYE HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix cheese, olives, onions, and mayonnaise (just enough mayo to get to spreading consistency).
• Spread mixture on slices of rye bread (not too thin).
• Place bread on baking sheet and bake in hot oven until cheese melts, about 5 -7 minutes.
• Devour! But be careful -- it will singe the roof of your mouth if you're not careful. (;.

CUCUMBER HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Mix salad dressing and cream cheese.
• Spread onto bread.
• Peel and slice cucumber (@1/8inch thick).
• If you want, leave strips of green on the cucumber (looks nice) Place 1 slice of cucumber onto bread.
• Sprinkle with Dill.

SEAFOOD HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Cream butter and cheese together.
• Add the rest of the ingredients.
• Drain shrimp or crabmeat.
• Add to mixture.
• Spread on muffins and broil until brown.
• Watch out, they can burn!

FILO HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Place half the filo dough in a pan.
• Pour about 1/4 cup margarine on top.
• Filling: Saute onions in melted butter until golden (about 5 to 10 minutes).
• Cook spinach according to package directions.
• Drain well.
• Squeeze out all moisture from spinach.
• Process spinach until finely chopped, about 8 to 10 seconds.
• Add onions and remaining ingredients and process just until mixed.
• (Add second egg only if mixture seems dry).
• Pour filling over first half of filo dough and cover with remaining filo dough.
• Pour remaining butter on top of filo dough (add more if necessary), and then cut in squares so that, while cooking the butter will penetrate in between the layers of dough.
• Bake in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, until top is golden brown.