1. Snappy Appetizers Stylish entertaining from your home to your blog.

2. When will I need 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. 3. Waste not. 4. Who are we, anyway?AB Chao recently quit her job as a communications writer to focuson full-time interior design, styling, and lifestyle blogging. She is aborn and raised Louisiana girl.Helen Jane is a designer and home entertaining expert who startedCheesewhizzes, a nationwide cheese club 5 years ago. Shes fromNapa Valley. 5. Who are we, anyway? 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. 6. Last Minute Menu Rosemary cashews Cajun nuts Pimento cheese dip White bean dip Cheese plate Chocolate plate 7. Your Nuts. 8. Rosemary Cashews (from the Barefoot Contessa) 1 1/4 pounds cashew nuts 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon melted butter As soon as you hear theyre 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 theyll be ready for guests immediately. 9. Cajun Spiced Pecans2 cups pecan halves3 tbsp butter1 tbsp Worcestershire1 tsp Tabasco1 tsp cumin1 tbsp brown sugar1/2 tbsp kosher salt1/2 tsp cayenne1/2 tsp paprikaMelt all ingredients except pecans in a saucepan. Place pecans on a bakingsheet. Pour contents of pan over pecans, stir, and bake at 325 for 15 minutes. 10. Style your nuts for guestsAvoidPut the nuts in one big bowl where guests will have to touch the nuts ofother guests.Pro tipServe individual portions or put the nuts in easily accessible smallerbowls. Sprinkle through a cheese platter. 11. Style your nuts for your blogAvoidTake a photo too close up.Use your flash close up.Pro tipNatural light wins.Go overhead. 12. Your Dip. 13. Pimento DipIngredients2 cups sharp cheddar, grated4 oz. pimientos2 tbsp mayo1 jalapeno, choppedDirectionsMix all ingredients in large bowl. Serve with crackers or on bread. 14. White Bean Dip1 15 ounce can white beans (cannellini) that have been drained1/2 lemons worth of lemon juice1 large garlic clove2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon cayenne teaspoon chopped rosemaryDirectionsAdd the white beans, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, cayenne and cumin to yourfood processor until a good dip-like consistency. Mix the chopped mint and finelygrated lemon peel and decorate your dip with the mix.Beanie! 15. Style your dip for guestsAvoidPut in a bowl too deep.(Less than knuckle deep is best)Pro tipServe individual bowls.Add some green. 16. Style your dip for your blogAvoidTake a photo for a part that looks like poo.Pro tipAdd herbs to the top for visual interest. 17. Your Cheese. 18. Cheese tray tips for the snappy hostAvoidBuy cheese the day of.Pro tipMaximize keepability.Find aged cheeses or goudas, that will be ready for you. 19. Your Chocolate. 20. Style your tray for guests Avoid Put too much cheese on a tray. Forget bread and crackers. Pro tip Greens and flowers. Bread in a separate container. 21. Style your tray for your blog Avoid Take photo after youve eaten the cheese Leave your knife on the plate Pro Tip Accessorize your cheese with fresh fruit and/or herbs. 22. General styling tips for appetizersDont overcrowd the platters, its proven that guests take lessfood if its piled on top of each other. Guests dont want totouch food from the other guests.Think individual portions. Spoons. Cups.Fruit. Edible flowers.Put a stick through it. 23. Thanks for your time! This presentation will be available on both our sites:HJEntertains.comABChao.com