Fresh fruit is a welcomed treat throughout the summer. Who doesn’t love the traditional mixed fruit in the watermelon basket – surely a summer staple. However, by using the same ingredients you would for a fruit salad, along with bamboo skewers from your pantry, you can add more fun to your fruit and put it in the spotlight. It’s so simple (and fun) to transform ordinary fruit into a focal point of your party. A
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photo credit: Christian DeBlis We are going to start a new series here at the Partybluprints Blog. Recently, I was speaking with my dear friend Pam about her nephew Christian. Christian, a 16 year old dynamo in the kitchen has taken over the role of cook in his home. He has a natural affinity and talent for preparing delicious dishes and inventing some of his own! Christian agreed to share one of his original recipes
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This Easter think about trying a different take on the Candy Bars that are hugely popular at kids parties. Sweets are a must for Easter in our house. If they are in your home too, you don’t need to cut them out entirely – just mix in some healthier options too. When they are served in a fun presentation, you’ll be surprised how kids will eat both! I created the table above as
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SCORE BIG with this recipe! Surprise guests at your next party by whipping up this delicious dip featuring the flavor of Buffalo wings combined with 2 dreamy creams. Serve with a variety of scoopers (tortilla chips, crackers, celery). It will be a family favorite for sure. BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP Ingredients 1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened ½ cup sour cream 2 cups cooked and cubed chicken ½ cup hot sauce ½ cup shredded Monterey jack
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Here is a very elegant appetizer for parties that’s super easy to prepare. Make one for each guest and serve them from a large tray. They are a perfect way to welcome guests, who arrive hungry to your home! SHRIMP SHOTS Ingredients 1 large cocktail shrimp – cooked 1 jar/bottle cocktail sauce garnish – lime wedge & sprig of cilantro Instructions Place 1 tsp. cocktail sauce in bottom of martini or shot glass. Place shrimp,
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Greek Salad Skewers: Turn a salad favorite into a bite-sized appetizer perfect for cocktail and viewing parties. Ingredients (yields 24) 4” knotted bamboo skewers (pkg. of 24) 2 7oz. squares feta cheese, cut into bite-size pieces 1 container grape tomatoes 3 mini cucumbers, peeled and cut into hearty slices 1 container/jar pitted Kalamata olives olive oil cracked black pepper sea salt Instructions Assemble skewers according to picture. Place a tomato on skewer, followed by a
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If you always thought guacamole was too hard to make, this recipe will show you just how quick and easy it is to whip up. Using five fresh ingredients you can easily dish up a delicious “dip” that is sure to become a favorite. Dawn’s Note: This stuff is so good I want to take a bath in it! Fresh Guacamole Ingredients (serves 4-6) 2 ripe Haas Avocados 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 clove
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Take the fuss and mess out of wings and dress them up with this easy to make recipe. Simply marinate in tequila, lime and rosemary, bake and serve! We love these wings with Duck Sauce for dipping. Ingredients 1 pkg. (12-16 wings and legs) ¼ cup finely chopped rosemary ¼ cup fresh lime juice ¼ cup reposado tequila (Partida is a great pick) fresh cracked pepper to taste sea salt to taste *optional add 2
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For a delicious and healthy party dip, try pairing hummus with chips, crackers, or veggies. It’s the perfect combination of creamy crunch and it tastes so fresh! We love this recipe because it’s good for you, it’s inexpensive and it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up. Hummus Ingredients (serves 4-6) 15.5 oz. can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley chopped 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp.
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I found these four fabulous appetizer ideas at Pilsbury.com. The site is full of great recipes for entertaining anytime of year. Here are my faves but check out the site to see what you like here> Dill Havarti-Shrimp Appetizers Prep Time: 20 Min Total Time: 20 Min Makes: 24 appetizers Ingredients 24 pumpernickel cocktail bread slices 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey 6 slices (about 8 ounces) dill Havarti cheese from deli 24 medium
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When entertaining for the holiday it’s important to consider the pint-sized guests at your party. One way to make them feel special is to serve kid-friendly food in an area that they can easily access and help themselves. Bonus here is that when the kids are happy, the grown-ups at your celebration can enjoy some uninterrupted holiday cheer! These 3 perfect party appetizers for the kids come from Pilsbury.com. The site literally has hundreds of
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As we head into the holiday season, many of us will be hosting family and friends. It’s important to remember that among the guests that will enter our home this season are children. As hosts, we have an opportunity to make them feel special and create an experience for them that will last a lifetime One simple way I try to cater to the kids at my holiday gatherings is to create special appetizers just
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Polenta is known as the pasta of the Northern Italy. It’s amazingly versatile, inexpensive and perfect parties! You can make it in 5 minutes with water, or add broth or milk for more flavor or creaminess. You can bake it, fry it, grill it or serve it from the pot like a thick soup. At just pennies a serving you can use polenta as a side dish, an appetizer, dessert or even a base
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Last spring while at my friends Jackie and Pete’s house for a BBQ, I was introduced to Bessie’s Bean Dip. When Bessie walked into the party, all eyes went to the dish she was carrying, with hopes she had brought her famous dip. Indeed she had and I got my first taste of her recipe which is really more like chili . Let’s just say it was one of those Ah-Ha food moments you get
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WINNER Anette Angelini ! STICK TO YOUR CHIP DIP! This fall when you’re entertaining try this Partybluprints Pick for simple and special entertaining. With only a few dollars, 2 ingredients and 5 minutes, you can take football snacks from tired to totally awesome with Queso Dip. What I love best is that this creamy and spicy salsa sticks to your chip! For more simple and special ways to feed the fans, check out the
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Make it fun and fabulous this fall when you entertain. Fill a small pumpkin or winter squash with dip at your next party. It’s a pretty presentation for holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving or events like tailgates and picnics. It only takes a few minutes and dollars to create this natural dip holder. Just cut a circle in the top of a small winter squash/pumpkin around the stem and remove the pieces. Then scoop
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Snack mix is not only perfect for parties, it’s perfect for summer fun and is a travel ready treat when you hit the road this summer! Mix up a large batch and take it to the beach or park, or bring it along in the car when you travel to your vacation destination. It’s much more economical than the pre-made snack mixes you buy in the store, my 3 boys can eat of box of
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Tomatoes and mozzarella with olive oil and basil is a simple and special summer treat, that sends me to the moon! Caprese Salad or Insalata Caprese originates from the isle of Capri in Italy. Since there are only three ingredients in this salad, the focus is on fresh. Tomato and basil season, so this shouldn’t be a problem (just remember to keep the tomatoes out of the fridge). Serve the salad on a large platter
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Check out these BLT bites from Betty Crocker! Two ways to turn this classic sandwich into a special appetizer for summer guests. They are easy to make and family friendly, so you will satisfy even the pickiest eaters! Use fresh lettuce and tomatoes from the farm stand or garden to make them and give your guests a real fresh, homemade treat. Make sure to visit Betty’s website for many more great recipes, it’s a
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Here is a really refreshing way to welcome road weary guests to your home. When guests arrive after a long drive serve them a summer treat to help them beat the heat. The combination of lemon and strawberry is delicious and refreshing. Here’s one of my favorite ways to use strawberries and lemon: COCKTAIL: Limoncello Spritzers Recipe: Fill 6 tumblers halfway with ice. Stir 1/2 cup of limoncello and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (fresh)
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Photo credit: Ralph Anderson; Mindi Shapiro Levine – Southern Living website Here is an amazing and tasty idea for the Holidays and all year long. This year, I am serving Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear, as my amuse-bouche on Christmas Day. Sounds very French and very fancy, but really it is a simple idea that I love. Amuse-bouche is a French term that literally translates to “mouth amuser”. Amuse-Bouche are different from
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Here are some amazing appetizer ideas for the Holidays. They are simple and special and all come from the President Cheese website. President Cheese not only has great cheese, but their website has great recipes and complete “how to” videos. Try my party appetizer picks below and visit the PresidentCheese.com for more! Pub Cheese Mini-Frittatas Vegetable oil cooking spray 8 large eggs ½ cup milk 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly
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Pictured above is a board Elizabeth and I created with some of our favorite cheeses. We used a variety of sheep, cow and goats milk cheeses with quince, honey, figs and grapes to create a real harvest feel for our plate. We served the cheese with a crisp Chardonnay and enjoyed a great day! A cheese plate is a great way to give your guests a nibble before Thanksgiving Dinner without killing their appetite.
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Recipe and Image from Pillsbury – visit for more ideas! With Halloween on a Saturday, the trick or treating may go on all day. Sugar overload is inevitable, so start the day off on the right foot! Here is a cute and clever idea for lunch that should give the kids some energy and get them excited for Halloween! Halloweenies Ingredients: 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet 44
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Turn simple chips and salsa special. Mango Salsa with Corn Tortilla Chips Mango Salsa – if you have access to fresh produce, this salsa is a refreshing way to enjoy produce from your local farmers! Recipe Serves 10-12 Ingredients: 8 plum tomatoes, diced 2 ripe mangoes, diced 1 medium red onion, finely chopped 2 jalapenos, finely minced 4 tsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped ¼ cup fresh lime juice (3-4 limes) salt & pepper to taste
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