No gathering is complete without yummy food! A Miche Bag purse party is no exception. Impress your guests with a spread of easy to eat and delicious finger foods to nibble on while they browse the latest products that Miche Bag has to offer.

Aside from the expected vegetable tray and chips and guacamole, surprise your guests with one of these delicious appetizers. These recipes call for inexpensive ingredients and, with a little preparation, you'll find yourself out of the kitchen and in the party while the tasty treats fly off the trays.

Have more ideas for great purse party food? We'd love to hear from you! Post your favorite and most successful purse party recipes to our Blog.

*Caprese Picks*

Ingredients:

• 1 Container of cherry tomatoes (about 24)
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place a bite size piece of mozzarella on a toothpick, followed by a fresh basil leaf folded in half.
2. Cut the tomatoes in half and skewer half a cherry tomato onto the toothpick, sandwiching the basil leaf between the cheese and tomato. Be sure the cut half of the tomato is facing downward so that the caprese picks stand upright on your serving platter.
3. Before serving, drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper and you have a fresh and healthy appetizer fit for any Miche Bag purse party.

*Cream Cheese Wantons*

Ingredients:

• 8 ozs imitation crab (or real if you prefer), minced
• 8ozs cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 pkg thick wonton wrappers
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Mix crab and cream cheese. Add salt and garlic powder and mix well.
2. Put about a teaspoon of the mixture in the middle of a square wonton piece and then fold in half to form a triangle. Moisten edges with a little water or egg wash, then press together and seal. Repeat until all mixture is gone. (Keep wrappers covered with damp towel to keep them from drying out)
3. Heat 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil in wok to 350 degrees F. Fry 4 or 5 wontons at a time until golden brown, turning 2 or 3 times, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towel.
4. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

*Bruschetta*

Ingredients:

• 6 roma tomatoes
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped with stems removed)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 French baguette
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Combine the diced roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Mix well and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Slice the French baguette into ¾" thick slices. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, broil for 1-2 minutes or until slices are lightly browned on both sides.
3. Spread the tomato mixture onto the baguette slices evenly. Top with mozzarella cheese then broil until the cheese is melted (A few minutes).

QUICK & EASY TACO SALAD

Ingredients:

• 1 lg. head of chopped lettuce
• 1 chopped carrot, or ... a pre-packaged bag of chopped lettuce, which already includes the chopped carrots
• 1 lbs. of ground turkey or beef
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 bottle of Thousand Island Dressing
• 1.25 oz. of pre-package Taco Seasoning Mix
• 1 to 1.5 lbs. of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 lb of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (optional)
• 1 lg. can ranch-style beans (rinsed kidney, chili or Mexican beans)
• 1 lg. bag of Frito Corn Chips, I prefer the Chili Flavor

Instructions:

Cook meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat. Stir in Taco Seasoning Mix with water. Add cheese over cooked meat; while the cheese is melting, add the Thousand Island Dressing. Mix and toss remaining ingredients and serve immediately.

PARTY PUNCH

Ingredients:

• 3 (64 fluid oz.) bottles orange juice
• 3 (46 fluid oz.) cans pineapple juice
• 1 (.25 oz.) pkg. unsweetened lemonade drink mix
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 (46 fluid oz.) can fruit punch

Submitted By:Amy Z.

So many people are watching what they eat these days. I suggest crackers with cheese, fruit with a lite dip, and a sweet like cookies. To drink, I suggest water, coffee, and 2 types of soda. One regular and one diet.

Submitted By:Kristi G.

We all LOVE treats! My favorite refreshment to serve at parties is chocolate dipped strawberries. It is also very fun to have a chocolate fountain and allow people to dip their own treats. You can have marshmellows, strawberries, rice crispies, brownies, bananas, etc. Very yummy and very fun!

Submitted By:Melanie H.

A taco bar worked great for my last party. It was easy to make ahead of time and have guests just create their own taco. BUT, I did lay out a nice little package of wipes by the shells and asked guests to be sure to wipe their hands down prior to touching the shells.

Submitted By:Lori P.

Dessert:

Blackberry cheesecake bars

Ingredients:

• 1 can blackberry fruit filling or topping in light syrup
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups butter
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with foil.
2. Strain blackberries over a bowl and reserve juice. Press berries through a fine mesh sieve into the juice to remove the seeds. Add cornstarch and mix until smooth. In a saucepan, bring berry mixture slowly to simmer, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half of mixture into baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool cool slightly.
4. Blend cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth.
5. Spread blackberry mixture evenly over bottom crust. Place dollops of cream cheese mixture evenly over blackberry mix and swirl gently. Top with other half of crumb mixture.
6. Bake 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Lift out bars by the foil insert and cut into bars. Refrigerate until chilled before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: 24 to 36 cookie bars