As much as I enjoy going out with my best girls, there’s something great about staying in. We’ve been so busy lately and agreed it was time for a girls night in. I thought about serving a full dinner, but decided it would be more fun to sit around and nosh on some heavy apps and wine (of course).
It’s always a struggle to host friends while you’re prepping and cooking in the kitchen. This time I made a few easy and delicious options that I was able to prep in advance and make quickly so I was able to enjoy my company. Here are some of the snacks I served and hope they provide some inspiration for your next girls night.
Classic Bruschetta
Ingredients:
- Fresh rosemary baguette
- Package of grape tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Garlic
- Red onion
- Meyer lemon olive oil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Shaved Parmesan
- Salt and pepper
- Cream of balsamic (balsamic glaze)
Directions:
- Wash and chop the package of grape tomatoes
- Chop 3 fresh garlic cloves
- Finely chop 1/4 cup of red onions
- Combine first three ingredients in a bowl and toss with 3 tbsp of Meyer lemon olive oil. Regular olive oil works great too, but this adds such a fresh burst of flavor. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours for flavors to combine.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
- Cut your baguette into 1/2 inch slices with a bread knife and place on a cookie sheet. Lightly brush the top off each piece of bread with a light coating of extra virgin olive oil.
- Place bread on the top rack of the oven and set the timer to 5-6 minutes until golden brown on the edges.
- Remove the tomato mixture from the refrigerator and mix with salt and pepper to taste.
- Wash and dry fresh basil- about a bunch. Stack each leaf on each other and roll like a cigar. Take your knife and chop into confetti like strings to top your bruschetta when your ready to serve.
- Place a spoonful of mixture on top of each piece of bread. Sprinkle with a pinch of shaved Parmesan and a few pieces of fresh basil. Finally, top with a drizzle of cream of balsamic.
- Place on your serving dish and you’re ready to enjoy.
Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of Naan bread
- Fig spread (I use Dalmatia Dried Fig Spread)
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Shaved Parmesan (optional)
- 2 slices fresh prosciutto
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Spread a generous amount of fig spread on the Naan bread
- Slice one medium size ball of mozzarella and place pieces on top of the fig spread
- Place on parchment paper and bake for 10 min (keep checking depending on your oven)
- Note: The cheese is going to go everywhere- don’t worry, it will crisp up
- Once it’s baked to your liking, remove from oven
- In a bowl toss the washed arugula, olive oil, salt and pepper (to taste)
- Place the arugula mixture on top of the warm pizza
- Break up the pieces of prosciutto and lay on top of the arugula with a few sprinkles of shaved Parmesan (optional)
- Cut into pieces and serve warm
Chicken Italian Sausage Pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of Naan bread
- Pizza sauce (I used Rao’s)
- Shredded Mozzarella
- 2 mild Italian sausages (in casing) from meat counter
- 1/2 medium red onion
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
Directions:
- Chop 1/2 of a medium red onion into thin slices
- Heat olive oil in a medium size pan
- Saute onions over medium heat
- White the onions saute, remove the casing on the two sausages and discard
- Break apart the sausage meat into the pan and cook thoroughly with onions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Take 1 piece of Naan bread and add a layer of pizza sauce on top (to your liking)
- Add the sausage and onion mixture on top
- Then add shredded mozzarella cheese on top (to your liking)
- Bake in the oven for about 10 min (keep in longer if you like it crispy)
- Remove from the oven and add the fresh basil on top just before serving
Lattes With Lipgloss 