Entertaining Made Easy

One of my most favorite things to do is entertain our friends at our home. It makes me incredibly happy when our home is filled with people we love and yummy food to share. I love preparing easy to eat finger food that can be set out and eaten through out the evening. It is rare if we have a formal sit down meal so generally it is all about casual, simple and delicious food at our house. Here are a few of my favorite go to recipes.



Turkey Sliders
These are great because you can put them out on a tray and let people add there own condiments. They are also a small plate with some substance.

Ingredients

• 2 slices white sandwich bread (about 1 ounce each)
• 1 pound (93 percent lean) ground turkey
• 2 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 small onion, coarsely grated
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 12 party-size rolls
• Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado, ketchup, and mustard, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse bread until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl; add turkey, cheese, and onion. Season with salt and pepper, and mix gently just until combined. Form twelve 2-inch patties (about 3 tablespoons each).
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook patties until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Serve on rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard, if desired.



Flatbreads
I love these because you can accommodate to different people's likings. I usually do a plain pepperoni, a mushroom, leek and truffle oil, as well as a barbecue chicken flatbread. Here is the recipe!



Ingredients

• Olive oil, for baking sheet
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1 pound store-bought frozen pizza dough, thawed
• 1/2 cooked chicken, (about 1 1/4 pounds), shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup store-bought barbecue sauce
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly oil a large baking sheet; set aside.
2. On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin and your hands to roll and stretch dough to a 15-by-10-inch oval (if dough becomes too elastic to work with, let rest a few minutes). Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken and barbecue sauce. Leaving a 1-inch border, scatter chicken mixture evenly over dough; sprinkle with cheese, then zucchini and onion. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

Stuffed Mushrooms
They are delicious and always a crowd pleaser (vegetarian friendly as well)

Ingredients

• Olive oil, for baking sheet
• 3 slices white sandwich bread
• 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
• 1 log (5 ounces) soft goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• Coarse salt
• 2 packages (10 ounces each) white button mushrooms, stems removed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a food processor, pulse bread and garlic until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside. To food processor, add goat cheese, parsley, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt, and pulse filling until combined.
3. Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

Lovely, delicious, and simple entertaining at its finest! Grab a couple bottles of wine and enjoy!

XO