Posted By Michelle on December 29, 2009

For some reason surprise guests seem to be the trend for the 2009 holiday season. Are ya feeling us?

We’ve already had a total of 7 10 unexpected guests and we haven’t even reached the mega-season for “dropper-inners”. Don’t get us wrong. We love our family and friends but there is a degree of panic that accompanies a phone call received at 9pm the evening before said “dropper-inners” will be arriving.

First phase of panic is inevitability “Dear god, we have to clean this house!” Second degree of panic is more along the lines of irritation “Dear god, our schedules barely allow us to breathe and now we have to entertain?” Third phase of panic is true raw panic “What will we feed these people?”

If you’re anything like a chef, then you have 1000 salts, spices, condiments and cheeses in your fridge at any given time and well, that’s about it. Smoked sea salt, no problem. Fresh goat cheese, check. Black truffle butter, got it, but anything else that resembles food is far fetched.
Well we Sherpas are a resourceful bunch and have come up with two very fast appetizer recipes that will stave off companies hunger long enough to suggest a local restaurant – where with any luck they pick up the tab-and more importantly, are made from some ingredients commonly found in everyone’s home. If you’re saying, “Not my home,” may we suggest you stock up on these items a.s.a.p. ? You can thank us later.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Blueberry and Goat Cheese Chips
Serves 10
A cool and creamy burst of tart and sweet on crispy chips. Wonton skins are super versatile and can be frozen raw.

20 each small wonton skins (round or square)
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/8 cup olive oil
1 cup fresh blueberries (or blackberries and raspberries)
2 cups soft goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil cookie sheet with canola oil. Lightly brush each side of wonton skins with olive oil. Lay wonton skins individually on cookie sheet so that they are completely flat and not touching. Bake in oven for 5-7 minutes until golden. Watch them carefully as they will turn quickly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Using a mixer, blend blueberries and goat cheese until well incorporated. Spoon 1 tablespoon of blueberry mixture onto each wonton chip.

Chicken Sausage, Apple, and Cheddar Skewers
Serves 20
Kind of like apple pie on a stick, but with sausage! Sausages can be frozen and make a great quick meal.

4 each fully cooked Chicken and Apple Smoked Sausage (Whole Foods has a great selection)
½ block aged sharp cheddar cheese
1 pint cherry tomatoes
40 designer toothpicks

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each sausage into 10-12 rounds. Place rounds on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, just until sausage is hot to touch. Remove from oven. Cube cheddar cheese into bite size pieces. Skewer warm sausage, cherry tomato, and cheddar cube.

Categories: American Cuisine, Appetizers
Tags: blueberry, chicken sausage, goat cheese, holiday appetizers, new years eve, sausage, wonton chips