Monday, April 29, 2013

5 Easy and Delicious Appetizers!


Hey Pinners! I'm so glad you stopped by for some new quick and easy recipes. You can check out my entire list of recipes here and learn more about our little family here and here. I post on this space 3-5 times/week, so if you want to follow along, we'd love to have you! Click here or here to follow. Thanks for stopping by!


Last week, we had our neighbors over for a little get-together. We've had two new sets of neighbors move in since the beginning of the year, so we thought it would be nice to have everyone over to meet them! We missed the couples who couldn't make it but had a great time with those who could!

Since this was a mid-week, last-minute get together, I wanted some quick and yummy appetizers that wouldn't take all day to prepare. Here's what I came up with:

Caprese Bites:
Ingredients:
Whole Milk Fresh Mozzarella (approximately 24 in one 8 oz. package)
Grape Tomatoes
Gia Rossa Balsamic Glaze
12 Fresh Basil Leaves, rinsed
Toothpicks

Directions:
Halve basil leaves and tomatoes. Slide one mozzarella ball, one basil leaf, and one tomato onto a toothpick. Once all skewers are assembled, drizzle with glaze.


Beer Dip: (my friend, Caitlyn, made this for a Master's party, and I about ate the whole thing- SO good!)

Ingredients:
2- 8oz. packages of cream cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 package ranch seasoning mix
1/3 cup beer (any beer is fine)
Toothpicks

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a mixer. Serve with pretzels.


Pastry Bites:
Ingredients:
1 package- Trader Joe's Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions Pastry Bites
1 package- Trader Joe's Uncured Ham and Cheese Pastry Bites

Directions:
Place trays on cookie sheet and bake according to directions on packaging. These are SO yummy!



Bruschetta:
Ingredients:
Hannah Bruschetta (from Costco- super tasty!)
Pillsbury French Loaf Bread
Locatelli Parmesan
Basil

Directions:
Bake bread according to package. While bread is baking, rinse basil and cut chiffonade. Cut baked bread into thin slices. Spoon bruschetta onto bread. Broil for 3-5 minutes, or until bread is lightly browned and crispy (make sure it doesn't burn!). Top with basil and fresh-grated parmesan.



Fresh Veggies and Hummus:
Ingredients:
Trader Joe's Bell Peppers (yellow, red, and orange)
Trader Joe's Carrots
Trader Joe's Organic Hummus

Directions:
Rinse peppers and carrots. Slice peppers. Place hummus in serving dish and top with a garnish (I used basil). I also served Stacey's Parmesan Garlic Pita Chips with the hummus.





The ladies

The gents (minus two out-of-town hubbies)

23 comments:

  1. So I want to live in your neighborhood if you provide food like that to eat!
    Also, I'm jealous all of your neighbors are so young! We are the youngest couple on our street by about 15 years so we don't have a lot in common to become friends.

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  2. Yum!!! Everything looks awesome, Heather! I will have to try that beer dip sometime. Steve would love it! How awesome that you have so many sweet neighbors that look like they're all in your age range! So much fun!
    Xoxox

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  3. Caprese Bites and BEER dip! I'm sold!!! You did good for a mid-week get together. Very nice. It is great you have that many neighbors close to your age. We live in a very, very, very old neighborhood. But I do love it.
    Thanks for sharing this yumminess!

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  4. All of those look oh so yummy and easy! I am all about yummy and easy... It was so great to finally get to meet you a while ago when you came in town to see Meagan. I have heard so much about all the room mates so it was great to finally get to meet you!

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  5. I love every single one of these recipes! I'm always looking for good appetizer recipes and these are perfect!

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  6. love these easy apps! especially the caprese bites! been dying to make those for our next party..perfectly bite sized treats

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  7. oh my goodness! These look amazing! Can I come over one night? I'll bring the wine you supply the apps? = )

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  8. Those Caprese bites look awesome and I'm going to have to try the pastry bites from TJ's. I think I also spy a bowl of edamame... I could probably snack on that entire bowl without even realizing it!

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  9. Two things: Your beer of choice for the beer dip made me laugh out loud (love your random Mexican assortment!) And the fact that you not only like hummus now but serve it to others is huge! :)

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  10. So you're pretty AND you're a master chef? Matt did well marrying you, didn't he? Those recipes are all simple, but they look magazine-worthy. For realz.

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  11. This post makes me want to have people over to visit!

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  12. OMG Heather...they all look so delicious! I don't live in Atlanta, but I'll temporarily move next door to you so I can get an invite, lol! :D I agree Meredith...he did marry well! ;) Thanks for dropping by and linking up Heather...have a good one!

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  13. You always share such yummy recipes. :)

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  14. Heather!! We had such a great time at your casa last week! I LOVED THAT BEER DIP -- you will be seein' that at my casa in the near future! Thank you!

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  15. What a lovely and easy appetizers you got there. So gorgeous too.

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  16. Wow awesome find. Kudos mate it's they're great recipes! Can I share some in my blog? foodsuncovered.wordpress.com

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  17. I actually love the caprese bites it's one of those easy appetizers, it makes me wonder why isn't this delicious appetizer is featured on blogs.

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  18. Thanks for sharing these easy appetizers. It is good for parties and holidays.

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  19. I love entertaining so all of these are perfect! Hopping over from the blog hop and happy to be your newest follower!

    tatteredtotaylored.com

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  20. Hi Heather: its nice to see there are other Nelsen's out there. your recipes look great. thanks Linda Nelsen

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    Replies
    1. It doesn't feel like there are too many of us, huh?! Glad you stopped by and said hello! :)

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  21. love these recipes! Going to try the Caprese bites this weekend! Very nice website too!

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