Appetizers on the Beach

Shurvilleobbs ~ Part 3 in Series

One of the lovely days on the beautiful North Carolina beach, our Sweet Janet spoiled us again with these scrumptous appetizers.  She literally brought them down to the beach!  It felt a little like being a guest of Ina Garten's, gotta love that!!  This was not an isolated incident since Janet spoiled us throughout the trip.  Remember, she was the one that wouldn't stay out of the kitchen when it wasn't her day to help us clean up.

Miss Organized Janet, made these at home before our trip and brought them in her ice chest.  At the beach house she just pulled them out of the box and popped them into the oven!  Voila!!

Sweet Janet's Beach Appetizer

Makes 90 Appetizers

 2 pounds Neece's Hot Sausage (similar to Jimmy Dean's Hot sausage)
90 Athen's Fillo Cups (keep the box they come in)
4-6 Green Onions, finely chopped
1/2 Red Repper (about 1/2 C) , finely chopped
1-2 tsp Red PepperFlakes
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 C Ranch Dressing
1-1/2 C Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
1-1/2 C Sharp Chedder Cheese, grated + more for garnish
Sour Cream for garnish
Parsley, finely chopped for garnish

Saute sausage over med-high heat.  Drain VERY well and pat dry.  Transfer cooked sausage to large bowl, add to that green onions, red pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, dressing and both cheeses.  Combine well.  Place about 1 Tbl. in each of the Athens Fillo Cups.

Make ahead note:  At this point the cups can be placed back in trays and boxes and kept frozen.  Janet just puts a check mark on her boxes so she knows those are the filled ones in her freezer.  Frozen cups can later be removed from tray and popped in the oven.

Place cups directly on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes, garnish with additional cheddar cheese and return to oven.  Continue to bake until cheese begins to melt, about 2 minutes.  Remove from oven and transfer to serving tray.  Garnish each cup with sour cream and parsley or chives and serve.

Janet says even her dad makes these and keeps them in the freezer, ready to pop in the oven for his golf buddies!  Impressive!  I'm swiping her recipe for my Christmas Party, this is just too easy.