Easy Appetizer Roundup

Mary Straton from Olive You, Darling is taking over today! Thanks, MS, for filling in! 🙂

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*Thanks to the Queen Bee for letting me contribute to her blog while she’s with her precious babe!*

Tis the season, everyone!

Parties this time of year are as abundant as the lights on my Christmas tree (my hubs says you can land a helicopter in our living room), and you’re lucky if the season goes by and you’re not hosting a gathering at some point between now and Super Bowl Sunday.

And let’s face it. People don’t go to parties to hang out with friends and catch up on the latest gossip. They go to parties to eat. And Instagram group pics. But mainly eat.

Therein lies the issue: how do you feed your friends tasty, talked-about treats while still enjoying the merriment? Answer: simplicity.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking all things delicious are also back-breaking. Some of the items I’ve gotten the most compliments on at parties or showers have been the simplest! The key is to find recipes with a few flavorful ingredients that also look bangin’ when on display.

Lots of party food tables are lacking something with height. These Parmesan Herb Cheese Straws serve a dual purpose – they are tall and delicious, like I like my men (BOOYAH). I like to serve them in a pitcher and pretend I’m Ina Garten.

( photo cred )

Speaking of the Barefoot Contessa, Ina swears by simple appetizers. If your peeps are there for a dinner party, you don’t want them getting full anyway. “Just some nuts or olives,” she would say. So I guess I shouldn’t shovel these Rosemary Roasted Cashews into my mouth in front of guests? It’s probably cool when they’re not looking…

( photo cred )

I’m picky about my cheeses. Not that I require nice, fancy, expensive or stinky ones, but I like what I like and don’t try to make me like something else. So there. Fortunately, me lika da feta. If I didn’t, I think I’d get my Greek card pulled. This Crazy Feta is incredible. I want it as a toothpaste flavor. (Not really, but it’s gangsta.)