No Place Like Home

Karen Wight

If you are entertaining this holiday season or have offered to bring

an appetizer to a party, I have five easy hors d’oeuvre recipes that look

great, taste even better and will get you in and out of the kitchen in no

time flat.

Thank you to friends who were willing to share their secrets and to

Trader Joe’s, which always has great suggestions. Bon appetit!

Bridget’s Brie

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup dried fruit

1/2 cup nuts

3/8 cup cream sherry

1 brie triangle

Mix the first four ingredients and pour the mix over the brie.Bake it

in a shallow dish at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with a sliced

baguette or crackers.

Trader Joe’s Bruschetta

1 baguette, sliced

Olive oil with minced garlic

1 jar Trader Joe’s bruschetta topping

Shredded Parmesan cheese

Brush the tops of the baguette slices with olive oil and garlic.

Lightly toast under the broiler. Turn the slices over and repeat. Spoon

the bruschetta topping onto the toasted bread slices -- about 1

tablespoon per slice.

Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and broil until cheese melts. Serve

warm.

Laurie’s Marinated Feta

1 pound feta cheese, crumbled or cubed

Fresh basil, finely shredded

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Olive oil

Fill an airtight container with feta -- a large mason jar works well.

Add basil, garlic and pour enough olive oil over the mixture to cover it.

Store in the refrigerator. Serve with toasted lavash or pita triangles.

The mixture will keep for a month.

Artichoke Casserole

1 16-ounce can artichokes packed in water, drained

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup mayonnaise Using a potato masher, mix the artichokes with the cheese and

mayonnaise. Spoon into a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Serve with a sliced baguette or crackers.

Sweet and Spicy Cream Cheese

8 ounces whipped cream cheese

1/4 cup jalapeno jelly

Spoon cream cheese on a serving platter, making an indentation in the

center. Fill with jalapeno jelly and serve with wheat crackers.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Sundays.