Make life easy and delicious this summer with Mediterranean-style snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and party trays ready to serve in a jiffy. Whatever the occasion, from a barbecue to a graduation, you can have fun outdoors with these ideas.
Decorating and Serving Tips
Choose bright tulips, sunflowers and gerbera daisies for a cheerful table setting. Collection of appetizer plates with flowers for a fun presentation. When guests arrive, take a glass in their hand to make them feel welcome and prepared to enjoy your delicious meal. The key to enjoyable entertainment is preparing for and being a part of the party. Create a self-service environment that gives you, the host, more freedom to enjoy time with your guests.
Smart Staples
With smart staples on hand, it is simple to get the party started. Olives, for example, are the essence of the Mediterranean diet. Packed with flavor, they’re extremely versatile. Combined with the fresh flavors of seasonal produce, such as asparagus, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, they can brighten up any plate with their rich, satisfying flavors. They also go naturally with any cheese, added to pasta, or served with hummus, country-style bread and refreshing summer wine.
One, Two, Three Skewers
Try this delicious idea: Start with a toothpick to make one-serving skewers that guests can easily take with them while they mingle.
Choose three or four types of olives, small cheese squares, and ready-to-eat cutlets. For example, start with a special Kalamata pearl or Garlic Stuffed olive. Next add a piece of your favourite cheese cut into small squares. Then combine it with a slice of salami, smoked ham or a flavorful sausage stir fry. Skewer everything for straightforward one-bite hors d’oeuvres. This combination of flavors will keep guests coming back for more.
Simple Snacks
For a formidable plate of appetizers, top whole grain crackers with a dollop of hummus and cross-sections of Kalamata olives. For added color, flavor and texture, try beetroot or basil pesto hummus. Combine colours and flavors by adding thin slices of cucumber, marinated feta cheese, or a tangy ready-made mango salsa. Serve instantly to keep the crackers crunchy. It wears off quickly and is very visually appealing.
Homemade Olive Bar
Choose an arrangement of four or five several types of olives to feature on a large platter. For a wide range of options, take a look at the Pearl Specialty Olives at local grocery stores, Target and Walmart, which offer Kalamata, Greek Queen filled with garlic or jalapeno, a mixed Greek medley, and classic California Black Ripe olives.
Grab some fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, a packet of frozen tortellini with pesto sauce, and a few bite-sized “bocconcini,” which are little mozzarella balls in olives marinated with herbs and olive oil, or plain. Assemble these things on one large plate in separate sections and supply guests with small snack plates and party options.
For more ideas, recipes and tips, visit olives.com/pearls.
With the right materials and a cheerful table setting, summertime entertainment can be easy, fun and bright.
Article provided by Statepoint
