Granny in town? Unexpected guest? Does not matter! With a little planning and the right materials, vacation entertainment is a breeze.
Stock up on these fridges, freezers, and pantries a few weeks before the vacations, and you will be ready – no matter who’s at your door.
• Whole nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews or pistachios.
• Olives: whole and sliced, ripe black, green, Kalamata and stuffed varieties in cans and jars.
• Cheese: feta, mozzarella, aged cheddar, and provolone (a tightly wrapped or vacuum-packed cheese will last in the fridge for several weeks).
• Tortilla chips.
• Salsa in a jar: light or medium to please most tastes.
• Pita chips or whole pita: pita bread can be frozen.
• Hummus: choose a sealed refrigerated pack.
• Carrots, celery, and peppers: whole vegetables last longer than chopped ones, and they are easy to find on the produce shelf.
• Frozen cheese pizza: choose your favourite brand.
• Olive oil: a kitchen necessity.
These 10 basic ingredients are the foundation for five delicious, party-worthy spreads that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less! Here’s how:
Quick Cheese and Olive Tray
Cheddar cubes, aged provolone and mozzarella. On a plate, alternate rows of color with diced white cheese next to a row of green Pearl Special Garlic-Filled Queen olives, then a row of darker cheese and a row of deep purple Kalamata olives. Comes with a toothpick and napkin for straightforward self-serve.
pizza maker
An easy cheese pizza is a canvas for appetizer art! Add thinly sliced fresh bell peppers, grated mozzarella cheese, and a generous sprinkling of sliced black olives. Bake, then cut into mini slices or small squares and serve on a wooden cutting board. Drizzle with olive oil.
Mediterranean medley
Place store-bought hummus into colourful bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and top with Pearls Kalamata olive slices. On a large platter, surround the bowl with a triangular ribbon, equal parts carrots and celery, plus chopped bell peppers. Serve with a bowl of Kalamata olives and diced feta cheese.
Cheese and Olive Kebabs
Alternate mozzarella or provolone cheese cubes and diverse olives on small bamboo skewers and serve on a tray, alongside triangular pita and hummus. Expert tip: Cut the pita bread into triangles, brush with olive oil, preheat in a 350F oven for 5-6 minutes.
Olive Nachos
Fill a cast iron skillet with tortilla chips, grate the cheddar cheese generously on top, and slide it under the grill until the cheese is bubbling. Ladle the salsa over the top, top with sliced California Pearls black olives, and serve on a heatproof board.
Extra Credit: Easy Fun
Sometimes the simplest flavors are the best. Fill several colourful little bowls with Pearls Specialties olives, crunchy nuts and diced cheese. A sprig of parsley, thyme, or rosemary adds a decorative touch.
The key to vacation entertaining is preparing with a few easy ingredients so you can spend more time with guests and fewer time in the kitchen!
Article provided by Statepoint
