Table of contents for Snackable in Snackable

TASTY GRAZING

Whether you need a just little somethin’ to tide you over to dinner, you’re making the munchies into a meal or you need a crowd-pleasing party starter, this collection of light bites, hearty small plates, sweet treats and sippers will have you covered. Ashley Jarvies ranks Easy Taco Cups, p. 7, high on her list of finger foods for game day. Set out a platter and have guests garnish with the toppings they prefer. Loaded with eggs, veggies and cheese, Mini Italian Frittatas, p. 13, courtesy of Jess Apfe, can be served as meal by themselves or as an appetizer for a weekend brunch. When you’re entertaining a crowd, reach for Teri Lindquist’s Antipasto Platter, p. 21, packed with pepperoni, provolone, veggies, olives and garbanzo beans. It comes together in…

1 min

Snackable

SIP ON IT

HOT MULLED WINE For a festive holiday drink or something to keep you warm during those winter months, you’ll love sipping this warming wine. It looks so lovely in clear glasses. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Prep: 15 min. • Cook: 4 hours • Makes: 5 servings 2 cinnamon sticks (3 in.)6 whole cloves1 fresh rosemary sprig1 bottle (750 ml) cabernet sauvignon or other dry red wine1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries⅔ cup sugar⅓ cup bourbon⅓ cup orange juice4 tsp. grated orange zest Orange slices, optional 1. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves and rosemary on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag. 2. In a 1½-qt. slow cooker, combine wine, cranberries, sugar, bourbon, orange juice and zest. Add spice bag.…

11 min

Snackable

SPEEDY SWEETS

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUDDING COOKIES With the help of sugar and cornstarch in the boxed pudding mix, these cookies come out thick with a cakelike, pillowy texture. It’s a twist on the classic cookie that definitely deserves a spot in the recipe box! —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, MA Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min./batch • Makes: 3½ dozen 1 cup unsalted butter, melted¾ cup packed brown sugar¼ cup sugar2 large eggs, room temperature1 large egg yolk, room temperature1 tsp. vanilla extract2½ cups all-purpose flour1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix1 tsp. baking soda½ tsp. salt2 cups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips 1. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugars. Stir in eggs, egg yolk and vanilla until blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, pudding mix, baking soda and…

16 min

Snackable

APPETIZERS & SMALL PLATES

BACON CHEESE FRIES These tempting potatoes are one finger food I can make a meal of. Quick to fix, they’re a hit at parties and as a snack. Ranch dressing is a tasty alternative to sour cream. —Marilyn Dutkus, Laguna Beach, CA Takes: 25 min. • Makes: 10 servings 1 pkg. (32 oz.) frozen french-fried potatoes1 cup shredded cheddar cheese4 green onions, thinly sliced4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbledOptional: Sliced red chile pepper and ranch salad dressing Cook french fries according to package directions. Preheat broiler. Place cooked fries on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with cheese, onions and bacon. Broil 2-3 in. from heat until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes. If desired, top with sliced chile pepper and serve with ranch dressing. 1 SERVING 218 cal., 11g fat (4g sat.…

31 min

Snackable

MARGARITA MANIA

SHAKEN MARGARITA Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice; cover and shake until frost forms on outside of shaker, 15-20 seconds. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish if desired. Classic Margarita 1½ oz. blanco tequila;1 oz. triple sec;½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice. Garnish: Lime wedge. Melon Margarita 1½ oz. blanco tequila;1½ oz. melon liqueur;½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice. Garnish: Honeydew melon balls. Caribbean Margarita 1½ oz. blanco tequila;1 oz. blue curacao;½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice. Garnish: Starfruit slice. Amaretto Margarita 1½ oz. blanco tequila;1 oz. triple sec;½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice;½ oz. amaretto. Garnish: Maraschino cherry. Grapefruit Sunset Margarita 1½ oz. blanco tequila;1 oz. triple sec;1 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice. Garnish: 1 tsp. grenadine syrup; grapefruit slice. Blueberry-Mint Frozen Margarita 1 cup frozen unsweetened…

1 min

Snackable

SNACKS, SPREADS & DIPS

HERBED BUTTER BOARD Butter or charcuterie boards are the latest in appetizers and so easy to prepare. You could also combine the butter and toppings, shape into a log and slice into pats for serving at the table on dinner rolls or crackers. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TX Takes: 20 min. • Makes: about 1½ cups 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened½ cup unsalted butter, softened1 garlic clove, minced2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce½ tsp. sea salt¼ tsp. white pepper⅛ to ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper¼ cup snipped fresh dill¼ cup chopped fresh parsley4 green onions, thinly sliced SlicedFrench bread baguette or focaccia bread In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, garlic, sriracha and Worcestershire sauce until light and fluffy. Spread to ¼-in. thickness over a…

17 min

Snackable

SAMMIES & SALADS

BULGOGI SALAD BOWL Since beef is so expensive these days, this is a tasty way to make a little go a long way. This can also be served over rice. —Stacy Schneidmiller, Beaumont, AB Prep: 30 min. + marinating Cook: 5 min. • Makes: 4 servings 3 Tbsp. soy sauce1 Tbsp. brown sugar1 Tbsp. sesame oil1 Tbsp. grated fresh gingerroot2 garlic cloves, minced1 beef top sirloin steak (1 lb.), cut into ¼-in.-thick strips2 large carrots, thinly sliced½ medium cucumber, thinly sliced1 Tbsp. rice vinegar6 cups chopped lettuce3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro3 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint2 green onions, thinly sliced Sesame seeds DRESSING 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar2 tsp. sesame oil Dash salt 1. In a shallow bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Add beef and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate…

18 min

Snackable

THE TRUFFLE SHUFFLE

MAPLE NUT TRUFFLES In a small bowl, beat 4 oz. softened cream cheese, 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar and ¾ tsp. maple flavoring until smooth. Gradually beat in 1½ cups melted and slightly cooled semisweet chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in 1 cup chopped walnuts. BIRTHDAY CAKE TRUFFLES Prepare and bake 1 regular-size funfetti cake mix according to package directions, using a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Crumble cake into a large bowl. Add one 15.6-oz. can funfetti vanilla frosting with candy bits and mix well. Shape into 1¼-in. balls. Place on baking sheets. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Dip in 1 lb. melted white candy coating. Place on waxed paper; sprinkle with jimmies or…

3 min