Stylish entertaining fromyour home to your blog.
Snappy Appetizers
Friends, Strangers, Mothers-in-law.
Playgroups, church visits.
Meeting at your house to go to the thing you have tickets for.
Dinner taking longer than you thought.
When will I need Snappy Appetizers?
Waste not.
Who are we, anyway?
AB Chao recently quit her job as a communications writer to focus on full-time interior design, styling, and lifestyle blogging. She is a born and raised Louisiana girl.
Helen Jane is a designer and home entertaining expert who started Cheesewhizzes, a nationwide cheese club 5 years ago. She's from Napa Valley.
We have been blogging for a combined 23 years.
We developed some impressive last-minute appetizers that will make you look good to your friends.
We also developed some impressive last-minute styling tips to make these snacks look good on your blog.
Who are we, anyway?
Rosemary cashewsCajun nutsPimento cheese dipWhite bean dipCheese plateChocolate plate
Last Minute Menu
Your Nuts.
1 1/4 pounds cashew nuts2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves1/2 teaspoon cayenne2 teaspoons dark brown sugar2 teaspoons kosher salt1 tablespoon melted butter
As soon as you hear they're coming, heat the oven to 375F and shake out 1 1/2 pound of cashews on a cookie sheet. Roast the nuts for about 10 minutes.
While the nuts are roasting, add the melted butter, minced rosemary, cayenne, brown sugar and salt to a large bowl. Pull the nuts from the oven to dump them into the bowl.
Toss and toss and they'll be ready for guests immediately.
Rosemary Cashews (from the Barefoot Contessa)
2 cups pecan halves3 tbsp butter1 tbsp Worcestershire1 tsp Tabasco1 tsp cumin1 tbsp brown sugar1/2 tbsp kosher salt1/2 tsp cayenne1/2 tsp paprika
Melt all ingredients except pecans in a saucepan. Place pecans on a baking sheet. Pour contents of pan over pecans, stir, and bake at 325 for 15 minutes.
Cajun Spiced Pecans
AvoidPut the nuts in one big bowl where guests will have to touch the nuts of other guests.
Pro tipServe individual portions or put the nuts in easily accessible smaller bowls. Sprinkle through a cheese platter.
Style your nuts for guests
Style your nuts for your blog
AvoidTake a photo too close up.Use your flash close up.
Pro tipNatural light wins.Go overhead.
Your Dip.
Ingredients2 cups sharp cheddar, grated4 oz. pimientos2 tbsp mayo1 jalapeno, chopped
DirectionsMix all ingredients in large bowl. Serve with crackers or on bread.
Pimento Dip
1 15 ounce can white beans (cannellini) that have been drained1/2 lemon’s worth of lemon juice1 large garlic clove2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon cayenne½ teaspoon chopped rosemary
DirectionsAdd the white beans, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, cayenne and cumin to your food processor until a good dip-like consistency. Mix the chopped mint and finely grated lemon peel and decorate your dip with the mix.Beanie!
White Bean Dip
Style your dip for guests
Avoid Put in a bowl too deep.(Less than knuckle deep is best)
Pro tipServe individual bowls.Add some green.
Style your dip for your blog
AvoidTake a photo for a part that looks like poo.
Pro tipAdd herbs to the top for visual interest.
Your Cheese.
Cheese tray tips for the snappy host
AvoidBuy cheese the day of.
Pro tipMaximize keepability.Find aged cheeses or goudas, that will be ready for you.
Your Chocolate.
Style your tray for guests
AvoidPut too much cheese on a tray.Forget bread and crackers.
Pro tipGreens and flowers.Bread in a separate container.
Style your tray for your blog
AvoidTake photo after you’ve eaten the cheeseLeave your knife on the plate
Pro TipAccessorize your cheese with fresh fruit and/or herbs.
General styling tips for appetizers
Don't overcrowd the platters, it's proven that guests take less food if it's piled on top of each other. Guests don't want to touch food from the other guests.
Think individual portions. Spoons. Cups.
Fruit. Edible flowers.
Put a stick through it.
Thanks for your time!
This presentation will be available on both our sites:
HJEntertains.comABChao.com
