Walnut and Blue Cheese Grapes

These are so easy to make and can be done well ahead of time.
They have a wonderful flavor that is more than the sum of its parts.

• 2/3 cups finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 oz crumbled blue cheese
• 20 loose seedless red grapes

Use a food processor or mixer to cream together the blue cheese and the cream cheese until smooth. Put one tablespoon of the mixture in the palm of one hand and wrap it around a grape, coating evenly (and somewhat thinly). Roll between palms to make a nice smooth ball. Roll the cheese-coated grape in the walnuts to cover completely. Chill for 30 minutes or until coating is firm.

Best served cool (but not cold). Can be sliced in half if desired.

Wonton Basket Supreme

Fun and cute little star-shaped bites
You could easily adapt the filling to suit your tastes

• wonton wrappers
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 lb mushrooms (any type), finely chopped
• 4 or 5 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• capers

Preheat oven to 375 F. Press wonton wrappers lightly into mini-muffin tin, flaring into a basket. Spray lightly with non-stick spray, then bake for 3 minutes, just until edges start to brown slightly. Remove and cool.

In large frying pan, melt butter into olive oil, then saute garlic, mushrooms, salt, and papper until all liquid is gone from pan. Remove from heat and cool.

Fill wontons with 1-1/2 tbsp of mushroom mixture and top with a large pinch of mozzarella. Just before serving, place in 350F oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and wonton edges are crisp. Remove from oven and put 2-3 capers on top of each basket and serve.

Sweet Bacon Chicken Wraps

This is a great quick bite that's super easy to make and yummy.
Be careful not to use too much chili powder, or else they'll be too spicy!

• 1 lb chicken breasts
• 1 lb thick-sliced bacon
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut chicken breasts into 1" cubes. Cut each bacon slice into half (or thirds, depending on size). Wrap each chicken cube with a piece of bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick at bacon seam.

Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Placed on non-stick cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.