A Few Simple Appetizer Spreads

Some tasty appetizer spreads with a variety of crackers can be the mainstay of your appetizer table or stand alone for a few friends enjoying drinks together. They're easy to make and you can garnish them in any number of ways for theme or holiday gatherings.

Shrimp Cocktail Spread

Ingredients:

1 8 oz Pkg Cream Cheese

1 can Shrimp (or 6-8 oz shrimp)

1 cup Cocktail Sauce (or a jar of prepared shrimp cocktail sauce)

Worcestershire Sauce

Salt, Pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Soften cream cheese and add shrimp. Add all spices, tasting to be sure it suits your taste.

2. Shape into the design you desire onto your serving plate. Chill for at least one hour.

3. Top with cocktail sauce. Add crackers to the platter or place nearby. (I prefer saltines or melba toasts for this spread.

HINT: At Christmas time, shape this into a bell or an ornament; for Valentine's Day, a heart

Spinach Spread

Ingredients:

2 8 oz Pkg. Cream cheese

1 10 oz Pkg Frozen spinach

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Worcestershire Sauce

Salt, Pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Soften cream cheese

2. Cook spinach (I prefer to do it in the microwave) and drain well.

3. Add spinach to the cream cheese and mix well.

4. Add all spices and taste, adding more spices until you are happy with the taste.

5. Shape into the design you desire onto your serving plate. Chill for at least one hour.

6. Serve with a variety of crackers - this spread is also good with cubes of crusty French bread.

HINT: At Christmas time, shape this into a tree or a wreath. Ornaments can be made with grape or cherry tomatoes, cocktail onions, sliced green olives, radish rosettes, etc.

Ham Spread

Ingredients:

1 Can Deviled Ham (small size)

2 T Sour Cream

1 3 oz Pkg Cream Cheese

1 t Mustard

Garlic powder

Pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Soften cream cheese and mix in sour cream

2. Add deviled ham and mix well.

3. Add mustard and spices, adding more spices until you get the taste you want.

4. Shape into the design you desire onto your serving plate. Chill for at least one hour.

5. Serve with a variety of crackers (Saltines, Ritz crackers are too salty for this spread)

NOTE: I use this more as a decorative spread, for a larger serving, use an 8-oz package of cream cheese and the large can of Deviled Ham mixture

HINT: At Christmas time, add a few drops of red food coloring and shape into a bow for your wreath (made with the spinach spread)