Hang up the bunting banner, stock up the bar cart, and send out your invitations. It's party time.
My fiancé and my childhood best friend were both celebrating birthdays just days apart, so I took charge to host our friends for bourbon drinks and sophisticated (and very simple) snacks.
I began with a quick farmers market grab of sunflowers and a trip to Miss Cordelia's for cheese, charcuterie and other appetizer ingredients. Though the presentation might have made this look like an all-day labor, the assembly was absolutely easy. Keep scrolling for step-by-step creations to throw together a cocktail party in a matter of minutes!
The hors d'oeuvres...
Mozz pops
- Take a package of mini fresh mozzarella balls, rinse in water and pat dry.
- Place each mozzarella ball on a mini party skewer.
- Place store-bought or homemade basil pesto in a dipping bowl.
- Serve on a slate tray with even ends of mozzarella bites
Cheese + charcuterie
- Place mini plates of brie, goat, and gouda on a large cutting board.
- Add a side of honey or grain mustard.
- Accompany cheese wheels with cheese knives.
- Fan charcuterie (I like soppressata) and fig grain crackers around the cheese.
Pork belly and peach flatbread pizza
- Prepare pork belly the morning of the party.
- Thirty minutes before guests arrive, top store-bought flatbread crusts with all recipe toppings.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing in squares to serve.
Homemade guac with fresh cilantro and heirloom tomatoes
