Today we’re talking about appetizers! It’s the first course in Share Our Holiday Table, a virtual progressive dinner designed to raise awareness of child hunger in the United States and raise funds for Share Our Strength during the critical holiday season.

More than 50 million Americans struggle to put food on the table, and more than 17 million of those affected are children.

You know, I get frustrated when my daughter refuses to eat the very same food she loved two days earlier. Or when she demands – instead of politely asking – a specific snack. But even though those things happen more often than I’d like and drive me crazy every time, telling my child for the umpteenth time, “No, you may not have yogurt raisins for snack. You will eat grapes today.” or “No, you may not have chicken nuggets again. It’s spaghetti or nothing.” is MUCH different than having to say, “I’m sorry, honey, but we don’t have any food.”

No food. At all. I just can’t imagine.

For the millions who don’t have to imagine, Share Our Strength is working hard to ensure that no child in the United States goes hungry again. Just one dollar can help connect a child with up to 10 healthy meals. Just a dollar!

Click here if you’d like to donate to Share Our Strength.

As the first stop on your progressive dinner, I’m here to serve you some tasty appetizers! And, as I’ve mentioned before, almost all of my favorite hors d’oeuvres include cream cheese, sour cream or both. What can I say? I’m nothing if not consistent.

[And, sadly, I’m apparently raising my daughter to love the condiments just as much as I do. Yesterday at lunch, she looked at her plate of chicken strips and green beans and said, “I just like the sauce.” Yes, that would be the creamy honey mustard she was referring to. *sigh*]

But back to the food. That IS why you’re here, right? I’m going to share my recipe for tortilla rolls and seven layer dip, as well as a few recipes I hope to try this holiday season.

Tortilla rollups

Tortilla Rolls

10 large Mission tortillas
1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup finely shredded cheddar (that’s fancy shredded for those of you who, like me, hate grating)
1 small can green chilies (or 2/3 of a large can, if you live on the edge)

Mix up all ingredients except tortillas (because that would be weird). Spread on tortillas and roll up. Refrigerate the 10 rolls overnight (or at least for a few hours, if you happen to be doing things last minute, as usual). Then slice into pinwheels. Eat the ends, because nobody wants to see those on your platter. Serve with salsa.

This is a recipe that can be made a little healthier, although nothing will help you if you eat 47 in one sitting. I may possibly speak from experience. Low-fat tortillas (like Mission’s 96% fat-free tortillas – a staple in my house!), cream cheese, sour cream and even cheddar lessen the damage.

I’ve had many different versions of this appetizer – sometimes with ham or olives or even lettuce – but this is my favorite. These rolls have a little kick but they’re not too spicy, and they’re a cinch to make.

Seven-Layer Dip

1 can (fat-free) refried beans
1 tomato, diced
½ can chopped olives
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1-2 cups (lowfat) sour cream (with taco seasoning mixed in)
1-2 cups guacamole
1-2 cups shredded cheddar

Spread the refried beans in a 9×13 pan (or a trifle dish or a pie plate – I’ve seen it served many ways!). Layer tomatoes, olives and onions on top. Mix sour cream with 1 packet taco seasoning and spread on top. Spread guacamole on top of the sour cream (careful not to mix them together). Cover with shredded cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.

The beauty of this dish is that you can make any size or amount that you’d like. You can also put them in any order you like, although I’ve found the above order is the easiest to spread and eat.

I’m cooking for a few get-togethers and parties this month, and I’m sure these two foods will make an appearance. But I’m also looking forward to trying a few new appetizer recipes:

What are your favorite appetizers to make? Or to eat?

To see more great appetizer recipes in the Share Our Holiday Table progressive dinner, please visit the following blogs:

Gourmet: The Italian Dish, Recipe Girl and Neo-Homesteading
Family Friendly: Family Fresh Cooking
Vegetarian: Two Peas and Their Pod and Smith Bites
Gluten Free: La Fuji Mama and Wenderly

This post is sponsored by Mission Foods, a huge supporter of Share Our Strength through employee volunteerism and nationwide fundraising efforts.

This post will be linked to the Third Annual Bloggy Progressive Dinner, Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Friday Food, Foodie Friday and Food on Fridays. It will also be linked to Ingredient Spotlight at Eat at Home Cooks.

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