Spiced Shrimp

3 tablespoons pickling spice
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vinegar
1 quart water
1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp (in she ...

Stuffed Chinese Pea Pods

1/2 pound Chinese pea pods
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (5 ounce) jar blue cheese spread
Milk

Wash pea pods, but do not stem. Blanch in boiling water for 30 to 60 s ...

Stuffed Gouda

1 small Gouda or Edam cheese, wax coating removed
1 to 2 tablespoons red wine or Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
Salt and freshly-ground pepper, to taste

Scoo ...

Beef Roll-Ups

1 jar dried beef
8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon dill
1 teaspoon horseradish

Blend the cheese, dill and horseradish. Cut the beef rounds in half and put a small teaspoon of fillin ...

Wagon Wheels

10 (6-inch) flour tortillas
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
9 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded
2 cups homemade or bottled salsa
5 to 6 scallions, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can blac ...

Bloody Mary Bites

1 pint cherry tomatoes
Vodka (to cover)*
Coarse kosher salt (can also use regular salt)

The day before, peel the tomatoes by dipping in boiling water for 10 seconds then plunging ...

Stuffed Mushroom Caps

8 ounces good quality bleu cheese such
    as Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton
12 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worce ...

Tomato and Basil Crostini

4 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
12 to 16 slices French bread (baguette type)
1 large clove garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Zest o ...

Tostaditas with Gulf Crab

1 pound fresh crab meat
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon chipotle sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
3 dozen tortilla rounds or triangles, ...