cutting corners

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress

Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on July 10, 2014 by Sandy Bergsten

Why is it when you want to take in every little minute the pace of life seems to ramp itself into a frenzy. In the past couple weeks my husband had what seemed like the last of an endless array of birthday celebrations, my baby graduated from college, and we held my sweet mom’s memorial service. All milestone moments.

To help my youngest daughter celebrate we wanted to throw her a little graduation party in Dayton. I can’t tell you how much I value connecting with others. I see entertaining as one of the best ways to do just that. So with everything going on the last thing I wanted to do was find myself stressed, alone in the kitchen, running around like a banshee.

I have many recipes that come together quickly but with everything piling up like a construction zone on I-71 I knew I needed to find some shortcuts. I’m always looking for ways to wow with no last minute effort. So how about taking something simple and making it even simpler by assembling and freezing. So I decided to experiment by taking the ingredients from my shitake cheese toasts and combining it with the last minute ease of my olive bites.

Let’s call this ramped up version- mushroom cheese crisps.

mushroom cheese crisps

The secret ingredient that holds this all together is purchased jarlsburg cheese dip from your deli.

mushroom cheese crisps

Remove the stems from cremini mushrooms, and dice uniformly.

mushroom cheese crisps

Sauté in butter until they have thrown off their water and begin to crisp on the edges.

mushroom cheese crisps

Let cool and combine with the jarlsberg dip.

mushroom cheese crisps

Split the English muffins in half.

mushroom cheese crisps 

Place a generous spoonful of mushroom cheese mixture on top of a muffin half.

mushroom cheese crisps

With the back of a spoon press the mixture into the nooks and crannies.

mushroom cheese crisps

Place on a cutting board. Cut each topped muffin half into six wedges.

mushroom cheese crisps

Place on a rimmed cookie sheet. Cover with foil. And freeze until solid, at least two hours.

mushroom cheese crisps

Remove and place in a Ziploc bag. Place in the freezer.

mushroom cheese crisps

Put the frozen wedges cheese side up on a foil lined cookie sheet. I use heavy-duty foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven until crisp, about eight to ten minutes.

mushroom cheese crisps

Serve piping hot. No one need know the chilly corners you just cut.

 

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