warmest of welcomes- two weeks and counting

There is no better way to give your guests a warm welcome than with a hot canapé. No one needs to know that your toasty little treats have been stowed in your freezer for weeks. What’s better than a cheese puff? Here’s an easy twist on this classic hors d’oeuvre. The secret- toss out the typical toast rounds for premade phyllo dough cups. 

Anthens makes amazing mini “cups” that are ready to fill (find them in the freezer section of your grocery store). An added bonus they come in handy plastic trays. You can fill your cups while they sit comfortably in their tray, then cover the entire works with plastic wrap, slide back in the box, seal with tape and freeze (just remember to remove the filled cheese puff cups from the trays before you pop your canapés in the oven).

A cheese puff couldn’t be simpler to make. The components are softened cream cheese, finely chopped onion, slightly beaten egg yolks and a healthy dash of cayenne pepper.

Combine in a bowl.

Whisk until smooth.

Spoon mixture into Fillo cups.

Top each with a ¼ tsp of fig preserves.

Cover with plastic wrap, slip back into its box, seal and freeze.

To serve place frozen individual cups on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes or until bubbly in a preheated 375 degree oven.

(For more tricks of the trade in creating a dinner for twenty click on the previous two posts and stay tuned for more to come)