Showing posts with label Easy Entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easy Entertaining. Show all posts

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Easy Entertaining // Deviled Eggs with Bacon


Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Need a last minute appetizer? Here you go!

We love deviled eggs over here. Every time I make them, they are gone in a blink. So, I always double the amount I make for next time. Guess what? It doesn't matter. They still disappear. Anyway, it's another easy appetizer to keep in your back pocket because the ingredients are simple, and typically on hand. But your presentation can make them look fancy and impressive. 

For whatever reason, I think most people either forget about this option, or think they are difficult to make. That being said, if you show up with a platter of these babies at your next party, you are basically going to win the appetizers.

Here's the basic recipe and a few tips and tricks to make them even easier.

Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Hard Boiled Eggs
Mayo
Mustard
Paprika
Bacon

For the hard boiled eggs, I follow Martha's recipe and it's foolproof. The trick is to really wait for a full boil, not just a simmer before pulling them off the heat.



Once the eggs are cool, cut the eggs in half as evenly as you can. Dump the yolks into a bowl and lay the egg whites, dent up, into a tupperware for refrigerating. I've had better luck assembling on site than trying to take them with you pre-assembled. If I had a deviled egg container, I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue!

Once you have the whites separated, you can store them in the fridge until you are ready to assemble. 




Let's make the filling! In a bowl, mash the yolks with a fork or masher so they start crumbling. 

Now here's where I might lose novice cooks since I don't actually measure but trust me, you've got this! Trust your instincts and go slow. You can always add but you can't take away. 

Add a spoonful of mayo and mix in with the yolks. We're going for creamy texture, no bumps. 

Add a teaspoon of mustard. This is purely a matter of taste. I don't love them super mustardy but others do. Either way, you want the filling to be very creamy but not liquidy. How's that for directions?!

Once you have it mixed and tasting the way you want it, put it in a ziploc bag and toss it in the fridge.

You can use the ziploc bag to pipe the filling into the eggs. Just snip off a corner and you have a homemade pastry bag. This is where having a good consistency on the filling comes in handy so you don't get clogs while piping.


Now, you can be done right here. Or you can take it one step further. We like to add bacon to our deviled eggs, because what doesn't taste better with bacon?

Cook a couple strips of bacon on the griddle, in a skillet, in the oven - however you do. Once they are cooled a bit, dice up the strips and set aside until assembly time. 

When you are ready to assemble your deviled eggs, lay out they egg whites and pipe in the yolk mixture until full. Then, sprinkle the paprika on and add the bacon on top. I usually try to make sure there are a few chunks of bacon bits on each egg.



Then, stand back, because there will be a stampede of people coming at you trying to devour these Deviled Eggs with Bacon!

xoxo,
Alex

P.S. Try this delicious dip or these stuffed mushrooms for more gameday appetizer options!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Easy Entertaining // Fig & Pancetta Crostini


Holy moly. Maureen made the most incredible appetizer and I just have to share. Plus it's super simple and I'm all about that for easy entertaining!


Fig and Pancetta Crostini

Baguette (sliced)
Goat Cheese
Fig Jam
Pancetta
Arugula
Balsamic Glaze

Chop the pancetta into small pieces and saute in a pan on the stove. You want it a little crispy but not too much. Turn on your oven broiler. Place the slices of baguette on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toast for a few minutes in the oven until golden. Spread goat cheese on each slice. Add a dollop of fig jam. Top with pancetta and arugula leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Devour.


Definitely making this during the holiday season!

xoxo,
Alex

Monday, November 14, 2016

Easy Entertaining // Artichoke & Jalapeno Stuffed Mushrooms

This past weekend we hosted our 5th Friendsgiving gathering. It's truly one of my favorite holidays. And now that I'm on my fifth turkey, it keeps getting easier. We cook the bird, everyone brings sides, desserts, and wine, and bing bang you've got yourself a friendsgiving!

While we wait for the feast to be ready, I like to put out a few appetizers to hold people over. I have two requirements for my appetizers. Easy and delicious. These stuffed mushrooms check both boxes!

Two ingredients and you can find both at Costco aka my favorite place to prepare for hosting. They have everything and it's really sooooo easy. Pick up a package of white mushrooms in the chilled produce area. Swing by the dip/salsa/guac aisle and grab a tub of the Artichoke Jalapeno Dip. And you are ready to go!


Artichoke and Jalapeno Stuffed Mushrooms
1 package of white button mushrooms
1 tub of Artichoke Jalapeno Dip

Heat the oven to 350F. Wash the mushrooms and let them dry. Remove the stems. Fill each mushroom with a spoonful of dip. Make sure to push the dip in there. Line a baking sheet with foil, spread the stuffed mushrooms on the pan, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes or until the dip is golden and the mushrooms are fork tender. They will be hot so be careful to not burn yourself if you can't resist them right out of the oven!

The dip has the perfect amount of kick to it. These stuffed mushrooms are so easy to make, and did I mention they were gluten free?!

And to up the easy entertaining factor, you can make them ahead of time! Just stuff the mushrooms and store in a tupperware in the fridge until ready to bake.


Don't forget to enter my current giveaway by Wednesday night!

xoxo,
Alex



Monday, June 15, 2015

Easy Entertaining // Bacon & Date Dip

I love to entertain. Whether it's one friend for a glass of wine, my parents for Sunday night dinner, or Friendsgiving, I want it to be special. And easy. 


Last summer, I threw a wedding shower for my dear friend Lindsay. Since the party was after work, I wanted an easy menu that threw together quickly. My friend Angie put me on to this dip and now it is a staple at my parties. It receives rave reviews every time and it's just special enough that it brings a new factor to the appetizer table. 


Bacon & Date Dip - aka The Best Dip Ever

1 package of bacon
1 bag of dates (from the baking aisle)
10.5 ounces of Chevre (goat cheese)

Cook bacon in a skillet until cooked through but not crispy. Once the bacon is cool, chop into small pieces and add to a microwave/oven safe dish. Mix the bacon and equal parts dates and heat up in the oven or microwave until the warm. The bacon and dates should start to caramelize together. Add the goat cheese to the mixture and heat until warm. Do not overheat.

To make this recipe even easier, cook and chop the bacon ahead of time. On the day of your event, all you'll need to do is mix and warm.

Serve with your choice of crackers. 


Enjoy!

xoxo,
Alex
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