party recipes

Over the weekend I co-hosted a going away party for my friend Meredith. I am so sad to see her go but she has moved to Denver, a city I would love to live in, so I am kinda jealous!

There was so much good food! Everyone brought something yummy to share. Here are the two things I prepared:

TOMATO CUPS
three cans of flaky biscuits
5 diced roma tomatoes or 2 cans petite diced tomatoes
4-5 green onions, chopped
6 oz. swiss cheese, grated
3/4 cup mayo
fresh basil (I used about 10-15 leaves), chopped
1/2 cup bacon bits (optional: our guest of honor is vegetarian so I left these out and the tomato cups were still delish!)
French Fried Onions

-Peel the biscuits apart (usually 3 layers per biscuit) and place in greased mini muffin tins.
-Blend all other ingredients except the French Fried Onions.
-Fill biscuits and top with the French Fried Onions.
-Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes.
-Serve warm or at room temp.

Yields: about 50 cups

This next recipe is one that everyone always loves! It was given to me by another good friend that has moved away. Why must all my favorite people leave North Carolina??

BUTTERMILK BITES
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk (I have used lowfat buttermilk and also buttermilk powder in this recipe, both produced great results)
2 eggs
2 tbsp flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
60 phyllo cups (four boxes)
whipped cream
fresh raspberries (or your favorite berry)

-Blend butter, buttermilk, eggs, flour, sugar and vanilla in blender until smooth.
-Please frozen shells on a cookie sheet and fill almost full with blended mixture.
-Bake about 12 minutes at 350 degrees until puffed and golden.
-Cool and chill.
-Top with whipped cream and berry just before serving.