Ladybug Appetizers

Little red bug, oh so cute,

Here’s a black spot for your suit…

—   Susan Paprocki

Unlike flies or ants, these insects will be welcome “guests” at your Labor Day picnic. The charming little appetizers — imitating the well-loved and respected ladybug — are sure to start off your gathering on a light-hearted note. I’d call them “glee-licious”! CJK

Ladybug Appetizers

(Janice Karels)

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

Black food coloring

2 tbsp. sour cream

1/2 tsp. snipped chives

1/8 tsp. minced fresh parsley

1/8 tsp. garlic salt or powder

36 butter-flavored crackers

72 fresh chive pieces (1 1/2 in. long)

18 pitted black olives, halved lengthwise

18 small cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Remove 1 tbsp. cream cheese and place in small plastic bag. Tint cream cheese in plastic bag with black food coloring and set aside.

To remaining cream cheese, add sour cream, chives, parsley and garlic salt, mixing well. Spread cream cheese mixture on crackers. On each cracker, arrange two chive pieces for antennae, one olive piece for head and two tomato pieces for wings. Barely clip corner of plastic bag and pipe spots of tinted cream cheese on wings.

Yield: 36 appetizers   

A note from Janice: I first tasted these when my daughter made them for a bachelorette party. They are cute! She has also served them at potlucks and bridal and baby showers.

A note from Carol: Janice and her late husband Steve, parents of five adult children and 10 grandchildren, have been longtime members of St. Mary Parish in Mora.

She originally shared these adorable appetizers in “Loaves & Fishes and Other Great Dishes,” the 2008 cookbook published by her parish. Three other recipes from the book have been featured on FFF: Dilled Spring Potato Salad, Layered Cabbage Salad and Crunchy Pea Salad. Call St. Mary’s office at 320-679-1593 to order a copy for $10 plus shipping and handling.

(Photos by Nikki Rajala)