Party Food

For parties I usually try and provide 6-7 dishes. I make sure that there are at least 2-3 vegetarian options. Vegan? Just let me know and I'll make some couscous. I like buffets at parties since I am picky eater and therefore I try to provide enough variety at my own parties.

Here are a couple of my party staples:

Baked Spinach Dip

Some olive oil
Bag of frozen leaf spinach
Half a cup of white wine
Garlic- 2 or 3 cloves (more if you love garlic- I do so I use more!)
Dash of nutmeg
Chicken or veggie stock (one dried cube)
1 cup sour cream
2 cups grated cheese (any kind of white cheese you like)
3 tbsp of grated parmesan (optional)
Salt and pepper

Heat up a frying pan to medium heat and add some olive oil- just enough to lightly coat the pan. Add crushed garlic and stir for a minute. Add frozen spinach and wine and stock and nutmeg and salt and pepper. Once the spinach is wilted and no longer frozen, turn down the heat to low and add 1 cup of cheese.. Stir for a minute and then add sourcream. Pour into a baking dish and top with remaining cheese and parmesan if you'd like. Bake at 200 until bubbly and browned on top.. Maybe 20 minutes.. You can make this the day before and skip the baking until the party. Serve hot with pita or baguettes. It's a cheap and simple dish that always disappears.

Fast mini pizzas

I make these if we're expecting a crowd. Usually I make my own dough and pizza sauce but this is a time saving option and easy to make.

2 frozen pastry sheets (the non-sweet kind and thicker)
A jar of pizza sauce
Already grated pizza cheese
Small slices of gorgonzola
Round cookie cutter

Using the cookie cutter, make as many mini crusts as possible from the pastry sheets. Spoon some pizza sauce on each one. Top with grated cheese and pieces of gorgonzola and throw them in the oven at 200 for about 10-15 minutes- or until brown. You can also add whatever toppings you like. They are great served hot and at room temperature. I always make these the night before a party to save time.

I'll add more party recipes soon!

Bon Apetit!