Some families eat at high noon, but for those that don’t, it can be a long wait for the 6 p.m. bird. These three quick-to-make appetizers can lull those hungry lions from a roar into an afternoon nap.
BCT dip: Mix together 1/2 cup bacon bits (the real thing, not the jar stuff), 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup cream cheese, 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro and a chopped tomato until smooth.
Serve with crackers, bagel bites or pita chips.
Stuffed dates: Stuff Medjool (or other) dates with crumbled blue cheese and wrap with serrano ham or prosciutto.
Baked brie: Slice a wheel of brie (any size) in half and fill with a fruit chutney. Secure with toothpicks, as with cake layers.
Wrap the stuffed brie with thawed puff pastry from the freezer case, tucking the edges underneath the brie. Freeze for 20 minutes.
Bake at 400 degrees until the puff pastry turns golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
