(Family Features) With the holiday season right around the corner, no family get-together is complete without mouth-watering appetizers and snack favorites like cocktail links. Quick and easy to prepare, these crowd-pleasing appetizers and snacks can be found everywhere from cocktail parties to holiday tables across the country.
Popular with kids and adults alike, the classic cocktail links in a crock pot are always a hit at social gatherings and also make for the perfect solution for in-between meal cravings. While the traditional recipe includes a package of cocktail links, a can of chili sauce and a small jar of grape jelly, offer up a twist on the traditional holiday season staple by preparing cocktail links in a variety of ways.
Recipe favorites
Here are a few ideas for preparing cocktail links. For a protein snack or appetizer, use
Hillshire Farm(r) Turkey Lit'l Smokies(r), made with turkey and has 2/3 less fat*.
* Wrapped up in:
o Crescent rolls
o Corn bread
o Low-fat turkey bacon
* Dipped in:
o Barbeque sauce
o Honey mustard
o Cheese sauce
o Asian flair barbeque sauce (made with diet cola, ketchup, soy sauce, ginger & garlic)
* Simmered in:
o Barbeque sauce & apricot jelly
o Worcestershire, brown sugar & ketchup
o Baked beans
* Skewered with:
o Your favorite veggies or fruit
And try this delicious recipe from Hillshire Farm:
Fiesta Appetizer Bites
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 15 appetizer servings (3 wraps each)
Ingredients:
1 package Hillshire Farm Turkey Lit'l Smokies
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 ounces sliced Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, cut into 1/2" x 2" strips
4 large (10-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1" x 4" strips
Salsa (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Open package of Hillshire Farm Turkey Lit'l Smokies and drain off any liquid. Combine chili powder and cumin in a small bowl; add sausages and toss to coat evenly.
2. Cut a thin slit partially through each sausage. Place one cheese strip inside slit of each sausage.
3. Place filled sausage on one end of tortilla strip; roll up and secure with toothpick. Place wrapped sausage on a large, lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining sausages.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until sausages are hot and cheese is melted. Serve with salsa if desired.
*Cook's Tip: Save time by stacking tortillas before cutting into strips.
For more great snack and appetizer recipes, visit www.GoMeat.com.
*Than regular smoked sausage based on USDA data for pork and beef smoked sausage.
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Source: Hillshire Farm Lit'l Smokies