# Best and Worst Appetizer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 28, 2023, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257 "2023-12-28T05:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/121 "2023-12-30T16:59:52Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Don’t know nothin’ about no stirring. _Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse._ > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve never made or eaten that meatballs in chili sauce and grape jelly thing but wonder about the idea of not stirring. It seems that the ingredients wouldn’t be mixed. Or is that the idea? The no-stirring thing Dr\_Paprika may or may not be referring to is an anecdote I told [upthread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/63) about the meatballs with grape jelly and chili sauce app featured in a sitcom. If that is the source of the ‘stir or not to stir’ conundrum, I have no idea whether a no-stir policy is actually a thing, or it was invented for a sitcom joke payoff. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/122 "2023-12-30T17:03:18Z")
Might be a martini joke? Especially if the sauces were shaken. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/123 "2023-12-30T17:04:52Z")
I’m hoping someone familiar with the real-world version can comment. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/124 "2023-12-30T17:06:00Z")
That PIckapeppa sauce is expensive! - [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pickapeppa+sauce+original&crid=XBOI3P7LO8UN&sprefix=pickapeppa%2Caps%2C95&ref=nb\_sb\_ss\_ts-doa-p\_2\_10](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pickapeppa+sauce+original&crid=XBOI3P7LO8UN&sprefix=pickapeppa%2Caps%2C95&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_10) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/125 "2023-12-30T17:17:06Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m hoping someone familiar with the real-world version can comment. I only have real-world experience eating, not making this app, but I exhaustively researched the matter (translation: I googled the recipe and clicked on the top 3 links that came up) [This recipe advises a ‘gentle stir’.](https://www.culinaryhill.com/crockpot-meatballs-with-grape-jelly-sauce/) [This recipe initially describes it as ‘dump and set’ but the directions do call for a stir](https://www.iheartnaptime.net/grape-jelly-chili-sauce-meatballs/) [This recipe is a little vague; it just says to ‘combine ingredients. But presumably stirring is involved.](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/239824/grape-jelly-meatballs/) So I think a tentative but safe conclusion is that mixing is fine, if not preferable. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/126 "2023-12-30T17:28:57Z")
My “secret” for making perfect Rumaki and bacon wrapped scallops is to sous vide the bacon 8-12 hours in its original packaging. Then snip a corner and pour out the fat into a container for later use. The cooked but limp bacon is then wrapped around scallops or parboiled chicken livers. The bacon crisps up in the oven without the scallops or livers being overcooked. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/127 "2023-12-30T17:33:41Z")
Thanks, I’ve eaten but never made bacon-wrapped scallops, and have wondered how the bacon could be properly cooked without overcooking the scallop. I figured there was a trick to it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/128 "2023-12-30T17:35:21Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > Scallops wrapped in bacon, yum. And oysters wrapped in bacon, yum yum. Two thumbs up! Although, I’ve suffered from two bouts of gout in my life and and told that scallops are one of the worst things you can eat Number one is beer and I haven’t slowed down in that department so maybe I’ll indulge in some shellfish this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/129 "2023-12-30T18:42:36Z")
Worst is definitely the abomination that is the blooming onion. I’m not a huge fan of deep fried food generally, I mean if it’s done well fried chicken or fish is pretty good, but on the whole I’d usually prefer grilled or roasted. But blooming onion seems like the worst possible to way to deep fry anything. It’s not like fried onion is a particularly nice flavor on its own, but onion, batter and above all oil are the only flavors in a blooming onion. Two of those (onion and batter) are only remotely pleasant as when accompanying other stronger flavors., and oil is just flat out nasty. Like the whole point of nice deep fried food is to try and avoid the resulting food tasting of oil, but whoever designed the blooming onion thought “what can I do make sure this absorbs all the oil it possibly can?” ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/130 "2023-12-30T18:52:48Z")
When the pandemic hit, we had this giant variety box of Costco appetizers. We probably thought that we’d break them out for a party someday, but then everyone was locked in and we started eating our way through them while binge watching crappy TV. I still get a little queasy when I see them in the frozen food aisle at Costco. So those would be the worst. Best is hard to say, but I just had Greek nachos with lamb and feta this weekend and it was very tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/131 "2023-12-30T19:30:00Z")
Buy it at a local grocery that sells Jamaican or West Indian food. Amazon food often tends to be pricy before delivery fees. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/132 "2023-12-30T20:09:28Z")
It’s pretty easy to find in grocery stores, at least around me in Chicago (or at least was—it’s been a couple years since I e bought it.) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/133 "2023-12-30T20:10:58Z")
Thanks…I usually shop at Jewel in Chicago but I have several options near me. I’ll be sure to have a look. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/134 "2023-12-30T20:12:11Z")
I’ve definitely seen it at Jewel. I last bought it years ago at Pete’s Market. I’d have a look-see but I’m out of town for a week. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/135 "2023-12-30T20:19:55Z")
It will be next to the hot sauces and BBQ sauces with all the one-off condiments. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/136 "2023-12-30T20:26:05Z")
Yeah, I see it with the hot sauces here. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/137 "2023-12-30T20:40:00Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The recipe I’ve had, and it’s actually very good, was meatballs in half grape jelly and half chili sauce. I don’t know who came up with it, either I seem to remember it in the dim mist of my memory being in the Alice’s Restaurant cookbook. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/138 "2023-12-30T21:07:42Z")
And Welch’s grape jelly, in the jar, not the squeeze bottle. I don’t think the brand of meatballs matters after that. I learned about that when we had potlucks at my old job. My co-worker would bring the ingredients and her Crock Pot to work, mix them up in the morning, and they would be ready by lunch. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/139 "2023-12-31T15:06:09Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Thanks, I’ve eaten but never made bacon-wrapped scallops, and have wondered how the bacon could be properly cooked without overcooking the scallop. I figured there was a trick to it. Good point. I’ve made rumaki, and i just live with some of the bits of liver being overcooked. But liver has a pretty wide range of “acceptable doneness” for me. So i love the overall result, even if it’s not perfectly uniform. But scallops are much easier to ruin by over-cooking. I guess i like bacon-wrapped chicken liver so much more than bacon-wrapped scallops that I’m unlikely to ever make the latter, though. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257/140 "2023-12-31T15:57:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I guess i like bacon-wrapped chicken liver so much more than bacon-wrapped scallops that I’m unlikely to ever make the latter, though. Interesting. I’ve never tried rumaki. Will have to remedy my lack of rumaki sometime. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-appetizer/995257.md?page=8)