Homemade Appetizer Menus

Bruschetta is an impressive and delicious appetizer that can be made fairly quickly. All you need to do is mix some diced tomatoes with olive oil, vinegar, salt and basil. Place on slices of toasted baguette and impress your family. You can add extra flavor by adding Parmesan to the baguette before toasting or baking. Vary your bruschetta by adding onions, using feta and chopped olives instead of tomatoes and basil, or even using something sweet such as peaches or apples

Making a delicious dip is a cinch. Make hummus by combining chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and other spices for flavor. Serve with pita bread or vegetables for a yummy and healthy appetizer. Make easy guacamole by mixing avocado together with garlic, lemon juice, chopped tomatoes and onions. Serve with corn chips and impress your family. Add a packet of dip mix to sour cream or yogurt and serve with bread or raw vegetables.

Mini-sandwiches make a more filling appetizer and allow for all kinds of experimenting. Make a good-looking tray of roll-up sandwiches by putting cream cheese and sliced carrot, cucumber and pepper inside a tortilla. Roll it up and slice it into bite-sized sandwiches. You can also make miniature versions of larger sandwiches as appetizers. Make tuna or egg salad sandwiches on whole wheat bread and slice it into four. Do the same for ham, salami or turkey.

Make miniature meatballs by combining ground beef with egg and spices or your favorite seasoning mix. Bake in the oven and place a toothpick in each one. Serve with ketchup or another dipping sauce. Make miniature pork bites by placing green onion around bite-sized chunks of pork tenderloin and securing it with a toothpick. You can also make mini sausages, mini beef bites or mini chicken rolls.