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mexmama74, My daughter-in-laws was just at our house and made these, they were so different and good. Stuffed banana peppers: 2-3 dozen med.-lg. banana peppers, cut open long ways, remove seeds, and stuffed with the following. Stuffing: 1 box of chicken stove top stuffing(mixed as directed) crumble and cook 1 lb. pork sausage, mix with dressing then add 8 oz. shreded chedder cheese,  stuff peppers and wrap with a slice of bacon. Bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes, untill bacon is done and crisp. To my surprise they weren't hot and my husband that dosen't like hot or spicey foods, really liked them. If need be, you could cut them in half after baking. Lots of luck, Granna2

Have you thought about some old favorite Crock-pot type appetizers? Like "Sweet & Sour Meatballs"( Meatballs- homemade or ones you can get from the Frozen Foods case at the grocer- , Sweet & Sour Sauce, Pineapple Chunks and Maraschino Cherries -- drain and reserve the liquids as needed) or "Lil' Smokies in Barbeque sauce" ?  (exactly what they are, lil' smokies in your favorite BBQ Sauce, add canned fruit cocktail to this, if you like).  All you have to do is dump, plug-in and go.  You can even heat it up ahead of time on the stove and then place in the crock-pot to keep it warm for your guests.  Serve it in the Crock-Pot, keep a small container with toothpicks right next to it, and a spoon for those who want more than one serving on there plate.

A similar recipe as Granna2 would be:   "Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates": Dates, stuffed with cream cheese (and a pecan half - optional) wrapped in bacon and baked at 425 F (or broiled) until bacon is cooked.

Gourmet Devilled Eggs ("Bacon Ranch", "Seafood Stuffed" and "Pimiento Olive"): Devilled eggs using Ranch dressing instead of Mayonaise and adding crumbled bacon. OR make a basic devilled egg filling, but add finely chopped "Crab Delights" (imitation crab) or the real crab, mix through the filling, place back into whites and garnish with a sprinkle of Old Bay, a medium to large cleaned, shelled and cooked shrimp and a sprigg of fresh Dill.  OR  A simple add-in to a normal recipe, would be chopped green pimiento olives with a garnish of pimiento olive slice and a light sprinkle of paprika 

"Empanaditas":  Mini turn-overs using your favorite meat, cheese and/or vegi fillings.  To save time grab the pre-made pie crust you can get from the grocers freezer and cut out 3 inch rounds, add a tablespoon of filling to one side, dip your finger in a little water and run it around half the circle of dough, fold over, crimp edges with a fork and either bake or deep-fry (your choice).

A thought for keeping food warm... Make your own heating tray...  Go to your local Lowes/Home Depot type store.  Pick up some unglazed terra cotta floor tiles (12" x 12" should do)  wrap in foil (optional) and place into a hot oven to heat up ( for, I'd say about a half-an-hour to an hour),  Remove from the oven, place on a cookie sheet and move onto trivits where you're going to serve your food and place the "heat-proof" tray that you are serving your food on on the tile.  These tiles can also be left in the oven to bake pizzas on.  Basically your own baking stone.

Don't forget some of the other "Classic Favorites":  Oysters on the Half-Shell, or Shrimp Cocktail.  What about a Fruit and/or Vegi Platter (a twist on this would be to use skewers and picks and make a bouquet with them.  Use a whole cantelope for the "Fruit Bouquet" base, and a tight head of cabbage for the "Vegi Bouquet" base.  Pick and choose your favorite vegi's and fruit, skewer and arrange.   Use kale or leafy lettuce as a platter cover and place dishes of "dips" on the platters.  Classic ranch for vegi's and maybe a honey/sour cream dip for fruit.  (An easy fruit dip is, Vanilla or Pistascio instant pudding folded into Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip) then chilled until ready to serve).

I've gone off on a tangent again, hope these ideas might help.  Feel free to ask me anything and I'll try to help if I can.

How about a simply meat, cheese and cracker platter.... some dry italian salami, different  variety of cheese squares, and a variety of crackers.

I agree with the meat, cheese and cracker platter, but would add some cold tomato soup "shooters" and/or bruschetta or crostini.  Nothing to keep warm. 

Jalepeno Poppers are real popular these days: http://peacefulcooking.blogspot.com/search/label/Appetizer

Another one that always goes over really well are stuffed mushrooms: http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Stuffed-Mushrooms/1572/

What about crackers with cream cheese and pepper jelly.

We asked this to our FB fan group and here are some of the responses:

Vickie HB: shrimp shrimp and more shrimp!
10 hours ago

Catherine C: I like to do 3 simple dips. One of my fav's is hummus, sun-dried tomato spread, and fresh tabbouleh. Cut some pitas and simple veggies up. Or if I am going with the Mexican theme, I may have gauc and two types of salsa (and lots of chips for dipping). Also, the seven layer Mexican dip always goes over well at the family parties.
10 hours ago

Stacy Ann L: triscuit crackers each with their own square of jack cheese on them, a teaspoon of salsa on top, zap in the micro until melty. doesn't need reheating because they are eaten so fast, they don't have a chance to cool off. People are wild about them.
10 hours ago ·

Sandee R: Slice a french bagette or get those small square bread piece and toast them or not. Mix cream cheese and dry ranch dressing then fold in chopped or shredded crab or lobster. Spread that on the bread bits and sprinkle with any cheese. Or not if you chose. And serve them like that or add vegetalbe slices at your liking.
10 hours ago

Jackson R: Definately 7 layer mexican dip and chips, that always goes fast
10 hours ago

Ruth M: Put your favorite cheese dip into a crock pot (make sure it has a warm setting) then just leave it.
10 hours ago

Andrea S: Little Smokies in BBQ sauce in the crock pot. Easy & always good!
10 hours ago

Joyce Bedingfield Cosby you can do a warm spinach, artichoke and parmesan cheese dip in a crock pot on warm....very yummy!!!
10 hours ago

Kristie G:meatballs & marina sauce in the crock pot. easy & delicious
10 hours ago

Kathy S: Here's a link to a whole bunch that would either be great cold or warmed. http://www.isavo.org/food/a/coldap.htm. Good luck.
10 hours ago

Carol J M: Spread Doritos on a cookie sheet, top with 1 slice pepperoni and 1 cube cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese melts. Tastes great hot or cold!
10 hours ago

Michelle M W: Cook a whole beef tenderloin, slice and serve with good rolls and a creamy horseradish sauce ..goes a long way.
9 hours ago

Teresa B S: Ranch Chicken Roll-ups: cream cheese, ranch dip mix, grilled chicken, crumblen bacon, lettuce, tomato, green onion, bell pepper on flavored tortillas. Roll up and chill. Cut into 1 inch slices.
9 hours ago

Amy D: Artichoke & Parmesean dip - 2 cans artichoke hearts in water (drain & chop them up), 1 cup parm cheese (kraft in a can works fine), 1 cup mayo (I like Hellman's), 1 small can chopped/diced green chilis. Mix together, either bake on 350 for 30 mins or throw in the crockpot. I like to sprinkle paprika on top before serving. Serve w/ tortilla chips, pitas, triscuits...enjoy!!
9 hours ago
Another yummy recipe (they go SO FAST)...take hotdogs, cut them into thirds, wrap in bacon & hold w/ a toothpick, sprinkle brown sugar on top, either bake or stick in the crockpot. They take a little while for the bacon to cook & brown sugar to get gooey but they are really good.


Laura R: Individual wrap bites...mix them up...just make a full size and cut diagonally into 4rths...prick with a festive toothpick..endless possibilities....yummy!
8 hours ago

Marilyn B: I always like the wrap ideas too my favorites is to take a large flour tortilla and fill with a mixture of cream cheese, salsa, black olives, and shredded cheddar cheese. Roll up and slice into one inch pieces - refrigerate until time to serve.
8 hours ago

Michelle B: 2 cans of crescent recipe creations, 8oz cream cheese with chives, 1 roll of sausage. Brown sausage, drain & crumble. Add cream cheese and stir until combined. Roll out two cans of crescents and put half the sausage mixture down the middle of each. Seal up and bake until crescents browned and puffy. Slice & enjoy. These go fast but can be eaten warm or room temp.
8 hours ago ·

Linda S C: We always mix grape jelly and cocktail sauce in a crockpot and out in meatballs or lil' smokies. WE also make veggie pizza. Use big cookie sheet put 2 rolls of cresent rolls in and bake till brown. Then you mix 1/4 cupo mayo and pk of dry ranch dressing together and spread over the rolls. Then you cut up a red and green pepper, brocoli, mushrooms, and cheese on top. Cut them the size you want. They are very good.

I forgot you also add cream cheese to the mayo and dressing. 2 8oz pkgs.
7 hours ago

Lori B: another tortilla wrap - mix 2 cream cheese packages (lrg) with 1 pkg taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Beat together. Add 1/2 cup shredded chedder cheese. Spread on tortilla. Add anything else to your liking; such as diced olives, onions, tomatoes, etc. roll tortilla tightly and wrap in saran wrap over night. Cut into 1 inch pcs for serving - serve. Suggested dipping sauces - ranch and salsa. Yummy.
6 hours ago

Sheila C: sweet and sour smoky links are always good, kept warm in a crock pot....I do a killer sausage pie too!
6 hours ago

Karrie L: A cold veggie pizza is yummy and very easy to make. Really good to showcase any tomatoes that you have left over. Also, I like to do a past "salad." Boil penne pasta till al dente, and toss with olive oil, salt (koshier is best), fresh basil, chopped tomatoes and thin sliced onion. This dish can be eaten hot, warm or as I prefer slightly cool. Make it colorful by using using different flavor pasta (rotini usually is good for that).
6 hours ago

Amber L: cheese dip- Mix together 2C shredded cheddar, 2 8oz pkg cream cheese, 1 pkg dry ranch mix, and add beer to desired consistency. chill for a little while (don't want it too hard), and serve with pretzels. Super easy, and everyone loves it. Unfortunately, I never get any leftovers from this one!
4 hours ago

Marianne B: We love these...8 oz cream cheese, small can diced green chilis, small can chopped black olives...mix together and spread on tortills shell, wrap, cut, dip in salsa and eat...gone before you know it!