Happy Hour Recipes ?

[Chrissy]

As most cruisers know potluck happy hours are part and parcel of the cruising lifestyle. We have a very small galley and an even smaller fridge. Our fridge doesn't keep things much colder than 55 degrees and can be warmer if the outside temp is very hot. My staple happy hour food is cream cheese which I can keep in our fridge. Does anyone have any great cream cheese recipes that they would like to share? Any other happy hour ideas that are easy and don't need a great deal of ingredients would be appreciated too. Thanks

[SV Liberty]

Smoked Salmon Spread

first, chop an onion (we always do that, for every meal/recipe/dish on Liberty).

Actually, a few tablespoons of finely chopped onion, some dill weed, a few chopped capers (we store them unrefrigerated, along with many, many other provisions that say "refrigerate after opening", a warning we routinely ignore), a dash or two of lemon/lime juice, stirred into cream cheese, along with a foil pouch of smoked salmon (about $4, does not need refrigeration before opening).

OK, full disclosure. We used to buy the smoked salmon, but now buy the pink salmon (just 88 cents a pouch, at WalMart) and keep a bottle of liquid smoke seasoning on board. I use two pouches of salmon and a few dashes of liquid smoke to create "smoked salmon spread".

Its a winner every time.

[SV Liberty]

In addition to cream cheese, goat cheese stores well at the bottom of our fridge - we've enjoyed it nearly 6 months after purchase - seems to keep forever (both the cream and the goat cheese).

BTW, I reread my last post, and want to note that the onion/caper/dill weed goes in with the fake smoked salmon, too.

Serve with crackers.

[Auspicious]

Lots of ideas, but you asked specifically for cream cheese base apps.

Open up the cream cheese and put it on the counter next to the burner you're going to use to help it soften. In a sauce pan saute minced garlic (you can cheat and use the stuff in a jar) and diced onion. Dump in a jar or so of salsa and turn the heat down. Simmer for a minute or so and add the cream cheese. Mix with a stick blender (the best, and worth a few moments of inverter time) or a fork.

To stretch things, invest in a pastry bag and pipe the mix onto crackers. It looks lovely and BIG on a plate. Sprinkle something green (parsley, basil, whatever) over the whole bit.

[capt_douglas]

I've used chopped frozen spinach for a spinach dip. I'll toast some pita triangles in the oven for scooping. If you're feeling flush you can use canned artichoke hearts or crab.


Avocado Dip


The base of these dips is made from taking 250g cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 tbsp lemon juice and mixing it together. After this you just need to decide what flavor of dip you feel like making.


To the base you will need to add:-

1 small mashed avocado
½ tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 clove crushed garlic

Mix the ingredients together well and serve with corn chips


French Onion Dip

A classic – you will need to add:-

1 packet French onion soup mix
¼ cup milk

Mix the soup mix to the milk before adding to the base and mixing well. This goes really well with potato chips…..or raw vegetables

[Bash]

I couldn't have been more wrong when I read the thread topic: Happy Hour Recipes.

I was thinking this should be fairly simple: one part gin plus two parts tonic. Add ice and drink.

[Gadagirl]

A block of cream cheese on a serving plate with cocktail sauce or jalapeño jelly slathered on top. Spread it on crackers, it's very tasty.

[ggray]

I'm with Bash. I was expecting hot buttered rum.

[bljones]

If you like cream cheese, pick up a wheel of brie- it is a great all purpose cheese that tastes great and makes for impressive presentation.
Brie with pears on toast, served with mango chutney was a big hit this season - quick, easy, tasty, cheap.

goes great with rum, beer, wine...

But doesn't everything?

[GordMay]

Maggie often brought Devilled Eggs to “pot luck” beach parties.

When we still had (fresh enough to serve others) crackers, I also liked:

Smoked Tuna Dip (“Marlin” Dip):

(1) small can albacore tuna, drained well
(1) 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened slightly
- 1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash or two of pepper sauce (like Tabasco)
- paprika or smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon snipped parsley (optional)

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
Taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking. Be careful adding more liquid smoke, a little goes a long way!
Chill then serve with crackers.
Try adding a light sprinkling of paprika over the top for decoration.

[Chef Mike]

This gets all the dogs howling!

Baked Hush Puppie 2/3 c Yellow Cornmeal
1/3 c Skim Milk
1/3 c Flour
1 tb Vegetable Oil
1 ts Baking Powder
1/8 ts Pepper
1/2 ts Salt
1 Egg Beaten
1/2 c Minced Onion

Combine Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Powder & Salt in A Medium Bowl; Make A Well in The Center Of Mixture. Combine Onion, Milk, Oil, Pepper & Egg.Add To Dry Ingredients, Stirring Just Until Moistened. Spoon 1 T. Batter Into Miniature Muffin Pans Coated With Cooking Spray. Bake At 450 For 10 Minutes OR Until Lightly Browned. Remove From Pan Immediately.

Chef Mike

[Bricky]

super quick and the easiest.... Cream cheese with Sweet Chilli Sauce LIBERALLY dumped all over it and lits of spring onions or whatever you have chopped and sprinkled on top - a winner every time and NO Work!!!!
Bricky's wife

[aegean adrift]

A super-simple, sweet variation on the cream cheese theme: softened cream cheese spread on Ritz-style crackers, topped with apple chutney.

Sounds too easy to be sooooo good ...

[ahnutts!]

oz of dark rum
3/4 glass of cranberry juice
top up with soda water

and if I get hungry a handful of cheerios, their delicious and leave no dirty dishes

[MsActiveCaptain]

I learned my favorite happy hour snack from a boat anchored beside us in Greta Guana Cay years ago. Never fails me, always makes folks rave.

Onion Dip

1 cup mayo
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese

Mix together, put in a casserole dish, and heat until bubbly.