When you are at a party, what are you delighted to see on the food table?

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FINGER FOOD:

Ham and Cheese Appetizer Sandwiches

1 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 onion, grated

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard

2 (12 ounce) packages white party rolls

1/2 pound chopped cooked ham

5 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, mix together butter, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire sauce and prepared Dijon-style mustard.

Slice rolls in half horizontally and set aside tops. Spread bottoms with the butter mixture. Top with ham and Swiss cheese. Replace tops.

Arrange rolls in a single layer in a medium baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 10 to 12 minutes, until rolls are lightly browned and cheese is melted.

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DIP:

Hot Pizza

6 ounces light cream cheese

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup pizza sauce

1 cup low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 cup diced red pepper

1/4 cup sliced green onion

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

whole wheat bread sticks or crackers

Combine cream cheese, sour cream and oregano in bowl; stir until smooth. Spread evenly into 9-inch pie plate or quiche pan. Top with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, peppers and onions.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve with whole wheat breadsticks or crackers.

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MISC:

Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

1/2 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 (8 ounce) wheel Brie cheese

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.

Slice the wheel of Brie in half, horizontally, so that the halves are two, flatter wheels of Brie. Lay the puff pastry in the pie pan. Place half of the Brie (rind-side down) onto the pastry dough. Sprinkle almonds evenly over the top. Place the other half of the Brie (rind-side up) over the almonds. Bundle the pastry dough around the Brie.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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The Tea Party Movement was originally a movement by the people for the people who were unhappy with and concerned about the direction the country was headed and had a mixture of Republicans, Libertarian,s Independents and believe it or not Democrats a swell. Unfortunately more Republicans felt the need to take it over especially politicians such as Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck and those types which is why they are really a misunderstood platform. I'm not a supporter of there's but I support their right to feel and believe how they want to and also support their right to freedom of speech and protests.

Finger food: smoked hot wings. (I'm good at making these. Use whatever sauce you want, but water smoke them.)

Dip: I don't do dips, period. But generally around here, it's chips with salsa.

Misc: Pulled Pork sandwiches, preferably barbecue style. Texas Barbecue will work. But don't use mesquite wood; go for a fruit word -- it's less bitter and doesn't overwhelm the pork flavor.

And don't forget the keg of craft-brew at the end of the table...

Assortment of cheeses, crackers, mini breads.

Hot Spinach/Artichoke/Cheese Dip

Steamed/chilled Large or Jumbo Shrimp w/cocktail sauce.

Stay away from things people have to use two hands to eat or are too messy. If you do something like wings, make them boneless. Make everything minis. Cup cakes instead of cake. Tartlets instead of quiche, etc,