Seeing that this weekend is New Years and some of you will be hosting a party I thought I would throw some ideas out your way for venison appetizers.

• Venison Meatballs  - make up your favorite venison meatballs and spread on a nice platter.
• Venison Steak Medallions - marinate in your favorite marinade and chop up in bite size pieces.  Add to a platter with cheeses.
• Venison Sausage - slice sausage and add to a tray with cheeses and crackers.
• Venison Beef Rolls - fry up venison beef with some seasonings and lay a spoon full in crescent rolls and bake.
• Venison Bacon Wrap - cut up meat in bite size pieces, wrap in a slice of bacon and place toothpick in center. Broil till bacon is a bit crispy.  If you like it hot, add a slice of jalapeno pepper inside the wrap.

And to drink … Champagne Punch - from Emeril  (If only I could cook like him.)

• 1 1/3 cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur (Grand Marnier)
• 1/2 cup Triple Sec
• 1/2 cup cognac
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 bottles of chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine
• Orange or lemon slices
• Fresh strawberries, optional

Combine the lemon juice, sugar, orange liqueur, Triple Sec, cognac, and orange juice in a non-reactive (non-metal) bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.  Add the Champagne and stir to combine.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Pour into a decorative bowl or pitcher.  Garnish with orange or lemon slices and fresh strawberries.

Please Please Please…Don’t drink and drive…call a relative…friend…hunter…taxi!!!  Be safe everyone!!!