Appetizer recipe needed and coffee question

Anyone have a quick to fix canape type appetizer recipe? I need something that takes very little effort to put together.
Also, what is the perfect water/coffee amount to make a great cup of after dinner coffee? Sounds like a dumb question but I would love to be able to make coffee that tastes as good as the finer restaurants. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Mrs.W on May 5, 2009 at 4:25pm: I love simple cubes of cream cheese stuffed into cherry tomatoes (cut them with an X and put the cheese in the middle). Of course you could herb the cheese and pipe it in... your call. Sometimes simple is best, though! You could also put them on toothpicks and drizzle with a yummy vinaigrette.

When I make an italian-themed dinner (which is often the case), I like to serve cubed mozzarella drizzled with a balsamic-olive oil vinaigrette and toothpicks with loaves of italian bread to tear off hunks for sopping. It's a great way to start a meal, and very interactive for guests.

I make coffee thus: 1/2 cup ground coffee with 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon or nutmeg and water to the 10 servings level. The cinnamon just takes some of that coffee bitterness away--you don't actually taste the spice. Everyone seems to enjoy it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy on May 6, 2009 at 8:43am: that sounds great! What kind of coffee do you use? I have tried starbucks, folgers, etc. They all taste bitter to me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mrs.W on May 6, 2009 at 2:50pm: I use regular ground folgers. The cinnamon will help with that bitter edge. That said, some people just don't enjoy coffee. It's hard to find the right balance of sweet & cream to add, if any. In my opinion, light cream is the best tasting in coffee.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy on May 10, 2009 at 5:38pm: thanks so much Mrs. W! My coffee was a huge hit with my guests. It was a great cup of joe. I used half starbucks and half folgers at the ratios you suggested, with the cinnamon. Delicious.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mrs.W on May 10, 2009 at 7:48pm: I'm so glad it worked out! My brother taught me the cinnamon trick years ago and it's (or nutmeg) has been something I use every time with great results.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Moro Baruk on May 29, 2009 at 6:07pm: Hi Peggy
I don't know if you're inerested but I make a glorious cold coffee smoothy, which I drink every morning for breakfast.
I live in the tropics and a cold drink is always welcome.
Here's the recipe:
Liquify in a blender the following ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon od unsweetened cocoa
sugar or sweetener to taste
Milk or non-dairy creamer
2 crumbled OREO cookies
12oz of crushed ice
12 oz of cold coffee (Mountain Blue, Haitian Blue or the equivalent is the best)
Blend and enjoy slowly

Moro; ▶ Reply to This