It's summertime and the entertaining is easy when you make these simple
but elegant summer appetizers.
The summer season is the most popular time of the year for entertaining, especially outdoors!
When you are not in the mood for a BBQ, you need some festive easy recipes to dazzle your guests.
Caprese salad ( or the vegan version below) makes a beautiful presentation and a satisfying appetizer.
Ingredients:
With fresh mozzarella cheese, summer tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, cucumber, Calamata olives, and marinated artichokes, this platter is sure to please your guests.
Having a wine and cheese party for a few neighbors on the deck? This Caprese salad or the vegan Caprese salad below will be perfect.
Directions:
Simply cut and layer the tomato and mozzarella cheese on the perimeter of the platter and then fill in the center of the platter with chopped cucumber, red onion, marinated artichokes and freshly chopped basil. Drizzle lightly with Italian Dressing or a little olive oil and balsamic and salt and pepper if desired.
On a hot day serve some ice water or cold seltzer with sprigs of
fresh mint, orange slices and lime slices
Another outdoor favorite is this refreshing frozen watermelon frosty which can
be made with or without alcohol.
Frozen Watermelon Frosties
The next time you buy a large watermelon, freeze what you don't use .
Simply cut the leftover watermelon ( cut off the rind) into bite size chunks, place in a zip lock baggy and freeze overnight. Use the frozen watermelon chunks to make delicious and cooling fruit frosties
Recipe for Watermelon Frosty
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| Watermelon Frosty Recipe |
Avocado Caprese Salad ( vegan)
Everyone seems to love Caprese salads, but what if you are vegan ?
Here is a vegan caprese salad using avocado, tomato, cucumber, fresh basil , and some little capers that will be a hit at any party.
Also makes a beautiful presentation that your guests will love looking at and enjoy eating.
Choose to make one of the salads or make both of them..
What is your favorite summer appetizer for parties?
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I love the colours in all of these recipes plus they are healthy which is great. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at #overthemoon. I've pinned and shared on social media. Have a great day and see you next week!
ReplyDeleteSue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Sue,
DeleteI think the colors add something to the appeal of the recipe too as well as the display. Thanks for Pinning my recipes- I so appreciate you sharing them.
I love Caprese Salad! Yours looks mouth-watering. I also like the looks of the citrus water with mint. Fortunately, I managed to buy a potted mint plant this year (I container garden), so I plan to put it to good use!
ReplyDeletePattie,
DeleteThank you . I love mint and used to have a big mint patch behind my house until some poison ivy decided to share the space- they both are vines and well that was the end of my mint
I love summer salads, but the two drinks really caught my eye -- I could have used both on my recent trip to Philadelphia. It was so hot and humid and cold, refreshing, fruity drink would have been perfect.
ReplyDeleteI so get it.. Last week was ridiculously hot and humid. The watermelon frosty would definitely have done the trick!!
DeleteA fresh Caprese is perfect on its own, or with BBQ, and those drinks just top everything off - so refreshing!
ReplyDeleteClaudia,
DeleteI agree- the drinks are extra special and perfect for a hot summer's day BBQ or maybe July 4th weekend
Hi Judee,
ReplyDeleteAll of these look delicious and refreshing for a hot summers day! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen,
DeleteI appreciate that you stop by each week to leave me a comment. Glad you like my appetizers
They all look so appetizing, refreshing and easy too...love that!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy,
DeleteThank you for stopping by to comment and for the opportunity to share my recipes on Amaze Me Monday.
Your Caprese salad looks fantastic. I absolutely love every one of those ingredients.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Waste Not Wednesday.
I'm a Caprese salad lover too. It seems to be a perfect appetizer for any kind of party.
DeleteCongratulations Judee!
ReplyDeleteYour recipe in on The Top Ten for Full Plate Thursday this week! Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate. Have a fantastic week and come back to see us soon.
Miz Helen
Miz Helen,
DeleteI am so excited to be included with the top ten on Full Plate Thursday. It is one of my favorite blog carnivals and I look forward to it every week. Thanks so much for the opportunity to link my recipes
Avocado is a great substitution for cheese in a caprese salad. I'm inspired even though I'm not a vegan. I like to have suggestions for my vegan friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Tracey @ MyBajaKitchen.com
Perfect for summer! So appetizing, yum!
ReplyDeleteThese recipes all look great. I need to eat more salad! Yum. Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI love to make platters of salad like yours. Today I made chopped tomatoes with herbs and garlic and olive oil which will be put on bread -- but similar in spirit to caprese.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
OMG, they all look good. I will have to try the seltzer, I need more beverages in our own hot weather here...
ReplyDeleteEverything looks refreshing and delicious! Composed salads are one of my favorite summer meals!
ReplyDeleteTomatoes always look so summery!
ReplyDeleteI will have to pass on the melon though. Not really a fan!