Last-Minute Thanksgiving Hors D'oeuvres

Yikes unexpected holiday guests and nothing to serve? Here are a few ideas that you dont have to run to the store to serve. Use everything in your fridge to serve canapes and hors d'oeuvres guarenteed to please.

1. Deviled eggs. I don't like em a bit and everyone in New England serves them all the time. I am glad that they exist though, because if I am caught unaware with sudden unexpected guests they are quick to prepare and very satisfying. Boil a carton of eggs. When hard boiled, carefully remove the yolks from the whites and set aside. Take the yolks and smash them with a fork, add a dollop of mayonnaise, a squirt of prepared mustard, and a splash of worcestershire with a pinch of salt and pepper each. Whip the yolk mixture with a whisk until thoroughly mixed and creamy. Pipe through a pastry bag into the egg whites, sprinkle lightly with paprika and serve.

2. Hard salami and gherkins. Roll each salami slice around a small sweet pickle and secure with a toothpick. Serve with a small bowl of prepared mustard.

3. Stuffed Celery. Rinse and clean a celery bunch being careful to separate stalks. Suff the end of each stalk with soft cheese (brie, camembert, laughing cow) or peanut butter. Pulverize nuts in the blender and sprinkle over each celery stuffed stalk.

4. Ham and cheese croissants. Unwrap frozen crescent rolls and before folding into rolls insert one half slice of boiled ham and a full slice of cheese (american, cheddar, swiss). Roll over and prepare according to package instructions. Serve hot with a small bowl of prepared mustard.

5. Bacon, tomato and cheese. Make toast and then using a cookie cutter. cut out festive shapes. Layer each toast round with a thin slice of tomato. and a slice of bacon before adding a teaspoon of mayo and layering with a slice of any kind of cheese. Place under broiler until bubbling and serve.

6. Apples, cheese and oatmeal. OH MY! Using oatmeal cookies, place thinly sliced apples on each cookie and layer with a slice of cheese. Place under the broiler until bubbling and serve.

7. Ham and cantaloupe. Use a melon baller to cut out tiny melon balls, Wrap a small piece of ham around each melon ball and secure with a toothpick and serve.

8. Shrimp en croute. Defrost jumbo shrimp in the microwave. Don't overdo so the shrimp are still firm. Brush each shrimp with garlic butter and wrap in a crescent roll. Prepare according to package instructions and serve with ketchup and horseradish sauce on the side.

9. Sausage en croute. Use sausage (breakfast, Italian or whatever you have). Remove the casing and crumble the meat. Unfold crescent rolls and spoon the sausage meat into the center of each roll. Add a dollop of tomato sauce and one tablespoon of any kind of cheese. Fold the crescent roll and prepare according to package instructions before serving.

10. Roast new potatoes with caviar, smoked salmon or trout. Scrub and roast off 12 baby new potatoes in the oven (abiut 20 mins). Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before scooping out the top with a melon baller, Drop a dollop of sour cream in the top of the potato and then sprinkle with caviar, smoked salmon or any smoked fish and serve.

Happy Holidays to all.