Pasta, Beans & Greens! Also easily made with gluten-free pasta, and can be vegan if you use a dairy-free pesto. This is a good one for entertaining because it’s easy to make ahead and great warm or at room temperature.
This post was done in collaboration with on Better Homes and Gardens.
A couple weeks ago we threw our 2nd annual Grilled Cheese Party. It was so good last year that we just had to do it again! We were celebrating my friend Nicole’s and my birthday. In the house, we had a table made up with all the fixin’s: several different types of breads and cheeses (all labeled with washi tape), plus lots of spreads and toppings. We had garlic aioli, mayo, fig jam, several mustards, caramelized onions, and arugula, to name a few. Each person made up their sandwich then brought it outside to Jonathan, who was manning the grill, with our biggest skillet and a tub of butter. This way, we could all be outside together and no one was stuck in the kitchen! Coming hot off the grill they are absolutely delicious…I think food cooked outside always tastes better :) Plus, when entertaining outdoors in the winter (even in California) it helps to have a hot grill to stand around to keep warm.
For dessert we had a brownie cake and a pear pie, topped with the cutest bees wax birthday candles from Mohawk Valley Trading Company. I also decorated the deck outside with some of their other candles that they gifted me- I just love them. I have been trying to keep things more “all-natural” around the house, so I like that these candles don’t give off any toxic fumes when burned. Plus, they have a lovely subtle scent of honey.
As the sun went down, we put a big screen outside on the deck, bundled up with blankets and watched a movie around the fire pit.
Make a wish!
xx, Erin
Easy Party Appetizers:
Cucumber Caprese Bites
Mozzarella Stuffed Pesto Puffs
Lemon Ricotta Crostini
Holiday Drinks:
Hot Chai-Nog
Spiced Pomegranate-Apple Cider
Cranberry Old Fashioned
XO,
Erin
These tasty little phyllo cups are simply filled with a piece of Brie and some caramelized onions with thyme. Some grocery stores carry pre-made phyllo cups which make it even easier. Sauté the onions in butter first , slowly, to get them golden brown. One large onion and a 6-oz wedge of Brie makes about 8-12 onion bites in a regular muffin tin, or more if using a mini muffin tin.
Great for entertaining! Enjoy!
By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
Edamame Hummus! Fun holiday party appetizer! You can see more photos and instructions on my BHG post.
Recipe by Better Homes and Gardens. Photos by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast.