anyone have any good recipes for appetizers in a crock pot?

Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cornflake crumbs, parsley, eggs, ketchup, onion, soy sauce, garlic powder and pepper. Mix well and form into small balls, from 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Place in a casserole or baking pan. Heat oven to 300°. Meanwhile in a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar and lemon juice. Cook stirring over medium heat until smooth. Pour hot sauce over meatballs in casserole. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the meatballs. Transfer to slow cooker and keep on low for serving.

This sounds weird, but people really like them. My mother made them when I was a kid in the late 70's for parties all the time, and I recently tried them out at a party and they were a hit.

Grape Jelly Meatballs

1 12 ounce jar chili sauce

1 12 ounce jar grape jelly

2 lbs. frozen meatballs

Put all ingredients in the crock pot on low for several hours. Serve in crock pot set on warm, with toothpicks.

Pigs in a blanket are good. I buy refrigerated crescent rolls, cut them into triangles to fit Lil' Smokies cocktail sausages, roll them in the dough from the largest side to the smallest and bake them on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12-13 minutes.

And everyone loves deviled eggs. I put the eggs in a pot of water, let them come to a boil, turn the heat down to medium and boil for 10 minutes, then run cold water on them. Peel them, slice them in half. Remove the yolks, mix with mayo, salt and pepper, a little pickle relish, stuff the eggs with the mixture, sprinkle paprika on top.

I'm be honest right off the bat...I don't like crock pots the food I've tasted from them is weird...it's just my opinion. I'd prepare Italian meatballs for example in the regular oven then transfer them to the crock pot to keep warm. When you have 40 people to feed start early preparing food that is easy to heat up in the oven or place on the grill before the party get's rolling. Instead of you having to handle so many dishes. Put the main entrees out with the condiments next to them. The guests can help themselves it keeps them busy and you won't get frustrated.

Here are a couple cold examples for appetizers:

Creamed cheese with garlic and onion powder, chopped green bell peppers and red bell peppers and herbs like basil and parsley. Mix together and chill until ready to spread on flour tortillas that are soft and fresh. Spread the cheese on each one then roll up like a cigar. Place on platter in a circle.

make your own Chex mix..see the recipe on the cereal box or buy bags of it ready made.

Buy a bag of medium fat pretzel sticks. then roll ham and cheese around each one. stick with a toothpick and pickle slice or olive.

Skinless boneless chicken thighs are good for marinating and baking in the oven. Get a good marinate and follow directions Place chicken on skewers about 3 small pieces per skewers. Soak the wooden skewers first in water so when baked they won't catch fire. One good choice is Teriyaki it packs lots of flavor in each bite.

A fruit platter is nice this time of year apples are in season along with pears and grapes. This works as a decorative accent too not just to eat.

Buy a couple pots of fall flowers for your table then you can plant them outside after the party.

Plan on 4 pieces of each food per person, have plenty ice ready and places handy for guests to put their used plates etc.

Have a great time good luck!

Here is a great recipe that makes a sweet/sour sauce even though it sounds strange.

Cocktail wieners

7 oz raspberry preserves

1/4 c white vinegar

Melt the preserves and vinegar in the crockpot. Bring to a boil, add the cocktail wieners and heat. You can reuse the sauce with more batches of the wieners. Serve with toothpicks.

Hope that helps.

meatballs, buffalo chicken wings