Friends are Coming Over in Less than 30 Minutes!
‘Tis the season for many evenings of spontaneous entertaining. What fun!
We have all been there-friends or family are dropping by, and we are thrilled they are doing so, but also the panic sets in when you realize you need to set some appetizers on the table NOW!
Here are some quick things to pull together-they have saved me many times and I am happy to say that my friends/family think I am pretty pulled together!
It’s time to set the table.
First, grab some wooden trays out of the cupboard. Arrange on your table or counter. Count out some small plates and the same amount of napkins. Arrange these around your platter.
Take cheese out-most of us always have some cheese in the fridge. Cut off the edges and arrange on a tray-mound crackers around them. Grab some small bowls and look in your fridge for some kind of dip--tzatziki, plain yogurt (recipe to follow), hummus, (recipe to follow)
Cut some fruit and wedge it amongst the crackers and then add some nuts if you have any. Put some olives into a bowl and set on the counter by the board.
Done and done.
Pop bubbly or a bottle of white or red. Set in decanter- serve when guests arrive!
Potato Chips with a Twist
You may well scoff, but nothing gets eaten faster than these. I'm looking at every one of my friends' husbands...
Take a good quality kettle fried potato chip like Miss Vickies. I like the plain ones. Set your oven to 350 degrees. Put the chips on a parchment lined tray and heat for 15 minutes. Put into a napkin lined bowl (you will see oil) and grind some black pepper plus grate some ground parmesan cheese.
Serve.
These will be consumed in 5 minutes, maybe 10. Everyone will think you made potato chips.
Simply Superb Hummus
I love making hummus, and I use every type of bean because they all make a superb hummus. Rinse and drain a can of beans-I love white kidney beans, black beans or lentils.
Finely chop a garlic clove, add to blender along with the beans, the juice of half of a lemon, a good glug of olive oil, salt, 1/2 tsp of Aleppo pepper.
Chop about 1 tbsp of cilantro, parsley, or dill. I often use dry herbs but use less than fresh. Blend slowly, scraping down often. Put into a bowl, add more fresh herbs or some more Aleppo pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
If you have some pita bread, lay on a parchment lined tray, drizzle with olive oil and salt and broil until brown.
Slice and serve warm with the hummus.
Jazzing Up Yogurt
I always keep plain greek yogourt in my fridge because it is such a good substitute for sour cream and full of protein.
Putting some fresh lemon, minced garlic, salt and pepper into a cup of yogourt can add a simple and fresh savory treat to a tray of nibblies.
If you are doing a sweet tray, simply add a generous drizzle of honey and some ground pepper. Yum!
So, if you are short on time, these show you can pull a party platter together in a pinch.
Now what to wear.....