Appetizer Party

Whether it's a football celebration or a birthday party, this menu is perfect for entertaining.

Your Menu: Serves 12

• Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Big Cheese Appetizer
• Chocolate-dipped strawberries
• Apple-cranberry punch

Test Kitchen Tips:

For an easy beverage, in a punch bowl or very large pitcher stir together 5 cups apple juice, 5 cups cranberry juice, and 3 cups carbonated water. Serve over ice.

The artichoke dip recipe can be halved to make less. Just use a 1-1/2-quart oval dish or a 2-quart square baking dish. The Gouda cheese appetizer can be made 2 times to have enough for 12.

For easy chocolate-dipped strawberries, melt chopped chocolate- or vanilla-flavored candy coating over low heat in a saucepan. (You will need about 12 ounces for 4 cups berries.) Hold the strawberries by the stem end and dip halfway into the melted candy coating. Allow excess to drip off. Place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Let stand until firm (about 1 hour). Can be chilled up to 6 hours ahead of serving.

If larger sheets of phyllo dough are not available, use 12 of the 14x9-inch sheets. Stack the smaller sheets as written, overlapping the sheets to form larger sheets.

Shopping List:

For Dip

• 1, 10-ounce package fresh baby spinach leaves
• 1, 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 1, 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
• 1, 4-ounce wedge fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1, 8-ounce package Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers
• 1 package shredded Swiss cheese
• 2, 14-ounce cans artichoke hearts
• 1 red sweet pepper
• 1 package pita bread rounds
• 1 loaf French bread, and/or 1 package desired crackers
• 1 quart strawberries
• 1, 24-ounce package chocolate-or vanilla-flavored candy coating
• 1 large bottle apple juice
• 1 large bottle cranberry juice
• 1 liter carbonated water

For Cheese

• 1 package frozen phyllo dough
• 1 pound butter
• 1 jar sweet-hot or coarse-grain brown mustard
• 1, 7- to 8-ounce round Gouda cheese
• 1 pear
• 1 bunch grapes

Pantry Items:

For Dip

• garlic powder
• ground black pepper
• nonstick cooking spray
• paprika

Equipment Needed:

For Dip

• measuring cups and spoons
• colander or sieve
• cutting board and knife
• cheese shredder
• food processor
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• 2-quart oval or 2-quart rectangular baking dish
• baking sheets
• large saucepan
• waxed paper
• punch bowl or very large pitcher

For Cheese

• measuring spoons
• pastry brush
• sharp knife
• thin metal spatula or table knife
• foil
• baking sheet

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