Quick and Easy Hors D'oeuvres - Italian Tomato Bruschetta

The origin of hors doeuvres or appetizers is interesting, They are meant to whet or stimulate the appetite and get one ready for the main course of the meal.

Stimulating the appetite is a balancing act that must at the same time, tantalize but never fill the guest up.

How many times have you filled up during the cocktail hour of a feast and then were too full for the entree?

If you want to make an Italian flavored Hors d'oeuvre, the best and easiest is bruschetta. From the Italian "bruscare" or "to roast over coals" tomato bruschetta is a tantalizing appetizer that is also deceptively simple to prepare.

Crusty Italian bread cut into 1/2 inch slices can become a fabulous treat. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and salt on a cookie sheet and pop in the oven at 350 degrees until they get crisp. Top these bits of toast with almost anything you have.

• Diced tomatoes
• Basil
• Oregano
• Garlic
• black olives
• Parmesan cheese
• Prosciutto de Parma

Use any, or all of these ingredients to have a wonderful appetizer. Once, I just brushed my bread with olive oil and some spices and it was lovely.

When choosing an appetizer, think about pairing the choice with the meal itself. A simple steak dinner can be paired with all sorts of appetizers, but keeping it simple will help in the kitchen. A tray of cheeses with good crackers is an oldie, but very enjoyable. Today you can get all sorts of cheeses in local cheese shops that are rare and will bring a bit of mystery to the party.

Keep it simple and enjoy yourself.

Quick and Easy Hors D'oeuvres - Mexican Flavor Bowl

This Labor Day weekend, my family was invited to share the day with relatives at their beautiful home overlooking the Hudson River.

As we sat by their pool, my hostess served canapes.

Small snacks before a meal are a staple of entertaining. Everyone gathered around the table, even the kids came out of the pool to see and enjoy.

I sometimes think this is the best part of a meal. A simple tray of vegetables, cut into sticks and a few tasty dips can be very enjoyable while the hosts are getting the main meal ready. But in planning my own dinner parties, I always have a harder time deciding on the appetizers than the meals themselves.

Some of my best hors d'oeuvres have been the easiest. People love to dip, and almost any flavor can be made into a dip. My family loves Mexican flavors. For a great appetizer, find a decorative bowl that's at least 2 inches deep and make layers of:

• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Refried beans
• Black beans
• Taco Sauce

This makes a layered dip that guests just love; and it is very easy to make. Serve it with corn chips. You do not need all these layers; use the ones that you like. I sometimes leave out the black beans, or the taco sauce. Still, it's always a hit.

An interesting variation on this recipe is to add a few crispy and a few soft taco shells as layers. You can then slice the contents pizza-style and serve up wedges of this Mexican Fiesta to your guests...

Delicioso!

Fran Valle

Fran Valle is partners with her sister, Sharon Grey and their friend Mary Meade in DinnerSmith; the first meal prep studio in Maplewood, New Jersey. Every day the three women dedicate themselves to bringing together fresh ingredients, cutting-edge recipes and the work space necessary for their friends and neighbors to quickly prepare as many delicious dinners as they need for that week or for that month. Visit http://www.dinnersmith.com for incredible meal ideas or, if you're in the neighborhood, just drop in and say "hi."