You never know when people are going to pop in for a holiday drink or two, so it’s good to be prepared. These quick appetisers will impress them with items you probably already have in the fridge.
Tod started calling them “vesuvios” but everyone else thinks of them as meat cookies! I’ve seen them elsewhere called “puffs” but they are pretty much just a savory cookie or a really soft cracker; meat cookie is quite appropriate. How Tod chose “vesuvio” I’m not sure, but they are tasty regardless of what you call them.
And they take just about no time at all to make, so you can whip them up as soon as your friends call to say they’re on their way over. Or be really prepared and make a bunch and freeze them.
Meat Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1.5 cups cheese*, grated
2 slices deli ham, minced
1/2 tsp worchestershire sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup flour
Mix the butter, cheese, ham and seasonings together, then add the flour in two parts. Work the dough until it forms a ball; I like to work with my hands for this. Pinch off marble-sized pieces and bake at 160/350 for about 12 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve warm of room temperature.
* Cheddar is good, or a combination of different cheeses.
Posted by kuri at December 30, 2004 11:07 PMThese were very good. I made a batch for in-laws coming over on new year’s day. Everybody liked them. Looks like a plate of cookies. Tastes different!
mike underscore rosenlof at yahoo dot com
