This week I am going to share with you my special go-to appetizer. This crowd pleaser was something I came up with for a surprise birthday party, and surprise to me, it was a hit! It is requested at every party or gathering that we are invited to.

I am sure there are many that will be getting together with friends and family on Feb. 7 to watch the Big Game. We not only gather around the TV to watch the game, but also around the food table to graze on the assortment of treats everyone has brought. Try this one, it will stand out and go fast!

Take your baguette and cut the loaf into quarter inch slices. Take an olive oil brush and lightly apply your choice of extra virgin, light cooking or regular olive oil onto each side of the slice. I prefer extra light cooking olive oil when I make these over the tangy taste of extra virgin olive oil. It is light and buttery, and what we want is for it to crispen the bread. Sprinkle the bread with a little cracked pepper and sea salt. Place in the oven at 350oF for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is lightly golden.

While the bread is in the oven, cut your avocados in half, remove the seed and spoon out the fruit into a small bowl. Add the goat's milk cheese and lime juice, and mix together.

When the bread is done, remove from the oven and allow the slices to cool for a minute before handling. Once they are just warm to the touch, spoon about a tablespoon amount of the avocado and cheese mixture onto the bread. Then place an inch-sized slice of the dried beef on top of the bread and avocado spread.

Trust me, you will wonder where they all went!



Ingredients:

One large French baguette loaf

Three ripe Haas avocados

4 oz. goat's milk cheese

3 packages of Pella Dried Beef *

1/2 of a lime

Sea salt & pepper

Olive oil



*You will find this in the lunch meat section at

most of the local grocery stores.