Anyone want to help me brainstorm real quick?

[BonitaApplebum]

I'm going to hang out with foodie people this weekend. Friday night is out to dinner, but Saturday we are staying in and making lots of hot appetizers and cheese plates and snacky stuff. It's like a dozen people or so, everyone brings something.

I will be prepping mine as much as possible during lunch on Friday, then finishing Saturday night. I prefer to do as much prep as possible Friday so that I can just throw stuff together Saturday, I don't want to do heavy lifting Saturday night.

Ideas?

I have to shop tomorrow so I need to nail a game plan down quick.

[BonitaApplebum]

I found a yummy looking dip I can do in a slow cooker, with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese. So that's on the list now.

[diablita]

Sounds delicious.  If you'd like a few more ideas:

This was fantastic:
https://www.mccormick.com/recipes/appetizer/old-bay-hot-crab-dip

Israeli salad with tahini dressing is simple and delicious.  I can provide recipes if you'd like.

This is in season and very good:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70157706671645772/

[BonitaApplebum]

What's Israeli salad? Similar to tabbouleh?

[Run Amok]

I take it cheese tray duty has been taken?

What about something like really lunch spiced nuts like these almonds
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/brined-and-roasted-rosemary-chile-almonds

Or this salty sweet popcorn, which never comes home with me
https://www.marthastewart.com/344830/rosemary-caramel-popcorn

The dip in this recipe is totally addictive. And this stands as an appetizer if you're not limited to finger foods.
https://thefoodarchive.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/ottolenghis-sweet-potato-wedges-with-lemongrass-creme-fraiche/

This dip is also really yummy. https://blog.markethallfoods.com/recipes/item/alison-romans-creamy-sesame-turmeric-dip

[BonitaApplebum]

You turned me on to that popcorn recipe years ago, people LOVE IT!!!!

Will check out the other recipes, thanks.

[witchypoo]

stuff i served for my cousin's bridal shower - the menu was a massive hit :

hot apps : 1. green olive and goat cheese toasts; 2. french onion and gruyere toasts; 3. butternut squash tart with chile honey; 4. devils on horseback
cold apps : 1. cheese tray; 2. veggie tray with roasted beet dip, spinach dip, hummus, and whipped feta dip
salads : 1. chickpea salad with lemon and parmesan; 2. chicken salad
desserts : 1. fruit salad; 2. cake

i can supply recipes for any one of them.  just let me know and i'll dig them out.

[BonitaApplebum]

Witchy what's the whipped feta dip? And how about the chickpea salad, I had one with lemon in it the other day that was sooooooo good. Thanks!!!

[diablita]

What's Israeli salad? Similar to tabbouleh?

Sorry just seeing this.  Nope, it's easier.  Everyone has their own version but small dice of cucumber, tomato and red onion with splashes of olive oil and lemon juice and salt is what I do.  Parsley when I have it.

[witchypoo]

Sorry just seeing this.  Nope, it's easier.  Everyone has their own version but small dice of cucumber, tomato and red onion with splashes of olive oil and lemon juice and salt is what I do.  Parsley when I have it.

1. i include a bit of chopped green bell pepper.

[witchypoo]

Witchy what's the whipped feta dip? And how about the chickpea salad, I had one with lemon in it the other day that was sooooooo good. Thanks!!!

whipped feta dip (was DELICIOUS) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galpmZHzwIs (i didn't bother serving with the charred veggies, etc. atop, but man, i suspect it would be even better)

chickpea salad (i ate all the leftovers and made another batch) : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chickpea-salad-with-lemon-parmesan-and-fresh-herbs

[diablita]

The chickpea salad sounds delish!

[rocketgirl]

I brought a blue cheese and bacon cheesecake to a wine & cheese party once.  I also brought caramelized onions and pears as optional toppings.  Suitably different and tasty.  And you could do it all Friday and just put it in the fridge.

[Run Amok]

What did you go with?

[BonitaApplebum]

I did the caramelized onion slow cooker dip, which tasted great but actually wound up being more fussy and time intensive than expected, so it wasn't a hit from a delivery standpoint.

And then I did the whipped feta, which was super easy and people went nuts for it. I'll be making that again for sure.

There was so much good food. My pants are gonna be snug for a bit!!

[Natasha]

I want to do the whipped feta, but I don't have a NYT subscription. How much feta/cream cheese/olive oil/lemon juice?

I made Run Amok's sweet potatoes wedges with yogurt dip. It's good but I didn't follow exact amounts and my dip was so sour my salivary glands hurt...possibly too much lime juice. I am going to try it next time with creme fraiche. I've made creme fraiche with 2 T buttermilk (or creme fraiche) and 2 cups heavy cream, and it comes out great and lasts for months. Great as a spread on toast with jam.

[witchypoo]

1 ½ lemons, plus more to taste
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and halved crosswise
⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
10 ounces feta cheese, broken into large pieces (about 2 1/2 to 3 cups)
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more for garnish
¼ teaspoon cayenne, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon hot water

[Natasha]

1 ½ lemons, plus more to taste
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and halved crosswise
⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
10 ounces feta cheese, broken into large pieces (about 2 1/2 to 3 cups)
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more for garnish
¼ teaspoon cayenne, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon hot water

Perfect! I can't wait to try it.

[radial]

I want to do the whipped feta, but I don't have a NYT subscription. How much feta/cream cheese/olive oil/lemon juice?

[Natasha]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately the whipped feta was a miss for me. My rinky-dink blender wasn't up to the task.