Are You Ready to Party?

It's that time of year. There will be lots of opportunities for get togethers with family and friends and lots of reasons to make fun appetizers and finger foods. I always make appetizer foods for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and there are a few other times during the holiday season that I make them as well. Every few days over the next several weeks I will post some of my favorite recipes. I hope you'll try some and let me know how you like them.

Sausage Stars
1 pound pork breakfast sausage cooked, crumbled and cooled
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 cup prepared ranch dressing
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
1 finely chopped red bell pepper
1 package won ton wrappers
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. Spray muffin pans with cooking spray. Press one won ton wrapper into each muffin tin to make a cup. Bake at 350 for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from tins and cool. These can be made ahead and stored in a zip loc bag.

Combine sausage, cheeses, dressing, olives and bell pepper. Mix well. Place prepared won ton cups on a baking sheet. Fill with sausage mixture. Bake at 350 until hot a bubbly.

Creamy Shrimp Spread
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, cooked
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 finely chopped green onion
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Dash hot sauce
Dash black pepper

Place shrimp in food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but not mushy. In a medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients; stir in shrimp. Pack mixture into serving dish, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. Serve with crackers.