Summer Sips & Dips: Recipes And More!

{ Via Sunny Gu }

Happy hour cocktails on the patio or terrace is something I look forward to each day. I mean what can be better? This recipe roundup features both sips and dips. I believe in keeping summer snacks simple, so dips are perfect. I just try not to think about "double dipping."  In addition, I have added a few fab finds that will enhance any happy hour.

Frozen Hula Hoop Cocktail

This cocktail is a sweet and tart blend of fresh raspberries, pineapple and lemon paired with white rum, dry red wine, and Aperol. It's mixed in the blender and served slushy. How refreshing!

Food & Wine

DuraClear Outdoor Drinkware

In the words of Williams Sonoma...."Quench your thirst in style this summer with DuraClear. It's food-grade plastic is BPA-free and won't crack, shatter, break, cloud or discolor, meaning you can sip back and relax wherever your summer takes you."

Williams Sonoma

Farmers Market Hummus

The Farmers Market is my happy place, and this hummus is my happy meal or snack. Once I found out what is in some store bought hummus like corn oil, I started making my own, and never looked back. This looks like heaven. 

Half Baked Harvest

Poolside Popsicle Spritzers

Raise your hand if a boozy popcicle sounds delish! The pop can be made ahead of time, it keeps your wine of choice (I vote for Prosecco) cool, and infused with tropical flavors. Not to mention, how party-licious it looks.

Delish

Cocktail Napkins
I love a cotton cocktail napkin outdoors. It is unexpected, but ever so nice. Furbish fabrics come in the happiest patterns.

Furbish Studio

Whipped Grilled Corn Dip
Just in time for corn season! It's made with ricotta cheese, lime, cilantro, garlic and more. How delightful!

 How Sweet Eats

Bamboo Serving Plate With Mesh Food Dome

A brilliant idea, and good looking, too! For $20, it makes a great host gift.

World Market

Drunken Tequila Mangoes

What a fun and fruity idea! If you aren't one to do shots, here is an elevated taste of tequila. It will be your forever party trick. Can't wait to make them for the kids when they visit.

Delish

Hot Lobster Roll Dip

Oh just give me a baguette (or a spoon) and a bottle of wine. This dip is a dream for lobster lovers.

How Sweet Eats

Sour Cherry Mojitos

This is a celebration in a glass. It's a mix of vodk,   fresh cherries, and even more fruit. Get the recipe at..

Martha Stewart

BLT Dip

I dare someone not to like this. With all the flavors of our fave BLT sandwich, it's perfect for tomato season. Mind if I eat mine by the spoon?

Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen

Scalloped Lacquer Tray

Good looking for every season, and available in more colors. Now that it is on sale, it's also a chic choice for a host gift.

Mark & Graham

Flowerfetti Ice Cubes

Cute cocktails just taste better. Aren't these the prettiest? So perfect for your next patio party.

Sur La Table

Rainbow Sangria

I am obsessed with the look of this stylish sangria. It is oh so colorful. The secret is NOT to muddle the fruit.

Gimme Some Oven

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Foodie Friday: Spotlight On Apples

Apple picking season in The Hudson Valley comes to an end at the end of this month. So it's time to get picking or at least visiting your Farmer's Market for some fresh apples. Here's inspiration for what to do with them. Enjoy!

Fall Fruit Baked Goat & Brie En Croute
An impressive and fabulous fall appetizer.Easy to make and delicious, too! This is a crowd pleasing dish.

Simply Beautiful Eating

Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita

Fall in a glass. The drink is rimmed in salty cinnamon sugar. How clever! It's made with smoky Mezcal, which makes a really special margarita. Oh and there is maple syrup involved. The smoke effect comes from lighting a cinnamon stick on fire!

Half Baked Harvest 

Tart Tatin

This is for Sara, who loves this dish. It is a beautiful way to eat apples. It begins with "made from scratch" puff pastry. I would be tempted to use the frozen sheets, however. Yum!

Food Network

Savory Apple Thyme Tart
Oh this just sounds so fabulous for fall! Slice it up for an amazing appetizer. Or serve it with a side salad as lunch or dinner. I can just imagine how it smells as it is baking.

Le Petite Eats

Apple Cake With Toffee Crust

This recipe had me at the word toffee. I make homemade caramel sauce often, but never have tried toffee sauce. Looks easy, and you can tell by looking at the cake that it is moist.

Food and Wine

Caramelized Onion Apple Mac and Cheese

Panko bread crumbs, and finishing this dish in the oven makes it extra crispy. One of the cheeses used in this recipe is Gouda, which is a must in my kitchen! This really sounds divine!

Olive and Mango

Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

I am not normally a fan of bundt cake - not enough frosting! But between the praline frosting and the cream cheese filling in this case, I think my sweet tooth will be happy.

Southern Living

Waldorf Salad
This version of the classic salad your Mom or Grandma made is bursting with fresh flavor and fruit. What make it different is using Greek Yogurt instead of mayonnaise. There is a bright freshness to the dressing with hints of lemon and corriander.  Worth a try!
Feasting at Home

Salted Apple Fritters

See that apple above? It's a Honeycrisp and they are simply the best at this time of year. One of the things I miss the most about leaving Chicago, is the apple fritters at Stan's Donuts. And I mean I really miss them. These fritters promise to be sweet and salty with a crispy exterior, but soft and gooey on the inside. I may faint.

How Sweet Eats

Apple, Sage, and Prosciutto Stuffed Pork Loin

Oh what a main dish! I do believe that my fave fall flavor is sage. I can almost smell this roast cooking. There is spinach involved in the recipe too, and of course a bit of garlic. Wow!

Delish

Caramel Apple Dip

The base of this dip is slightly sweetened cream cheese. Then it is layered with homemade caramel sauce and toffee bits. This will be a hit at your next tailgate or cocktail party. Serve it with apples, pears, graham crackers  and more!

Dinner At The Zoo

Apple, Caramelized Onion and Spinach Quesadilla

This is a great party appetizer with all the flavors of fall. It's made with fontina cheese, because it melts so well.vLooks fun to serve and eat!

The Modern Proper

Favorite Apple Pie Recipe

I chose to feature the slice of this pie instead of a whole pie picture. Why? Because it is just the right color on the inside. If your pie doesn't look like this, you don't have enough cinnamon and nutmeg in it. A touch of lemon is crucial, too. It keeps the flavors bright and the apples true to color. Perfection!

Sally's Baking Addiction

Caramelized Onion and Apple Tarts
If you want to serve something as French as can be, this is it. It's a sophisticated appetizer that is easy to make but impressive to the taste buds. The Gruyère cheese elevates each bite.

Williams Sonoma

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Come For Drinks!

 

In the summer, when the weather gets hot, happy hours might be the perfect party to plan. Invite your guests for a couple of hours, serve them something light and yummy, and don't forget a delicious drink or two. Here's inspiration for your next alfresco happy hour.

Summer Cobbler Cocktail

A haute "house cocktail" to have ready for guests. The interesting ingredients include white whiskey, Grand Marnier,  blackberries, blackberry preserves, and fresh lime juice.

Southern Living

Baked Chipotle Salmon Sushi Cups

These are just the cutest! And the salmon is actually baked, not raw at all. With bits of avocado and ginger, not to mention the chipotle mayo, this is something different that most will love.

Half Baked Harvest

Pea Pesto

Homemade Pesto is my favorite, and I grow my own basil and make the pesto, myself. But I have never made pea pesto! This is so bright and beautiful, it must be delish. They say that this recipe is so good, you could eat it with a spoon.  

Broma Bakery

Antipasto Tortellini Skewers With Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

What a pretty presentation this platter makes! Feel free to mix up your skewers - some with tomatoes, some without, just to accommodate your guests preferences. But do make sure you add that drizzle of vinaigrette at the end. The toasted bread will be great for dipping!

Half Baked Harvest

Golden Layered Piña Coladas

If I am going to indulge in an umbrella drink, it's always one of these. This may be the prettiest frozen drink ever!

Pineapple & Coconut

Heirloom Tomato Tart

If you are going to spotlight any one ingredient, it better be good. It's hard to beat heirloom tomatoes. The tart filling is of ricotta and basil. You won't need to serve another thing. 

Williams Sonoma

Salmon Nicoise With Charred Scallion Pesto

Here's a fun take on the classic Nicoise salad. It makes a pretty platter, and your guests can just take what they want. This dish is packed with protein, and probably all anyone needs. I think that this recipe will be unexpected.

Williams Sonoma

The Best Guacamole

Most people love guacamole. So why not serve it? But if you do, make sure it is the best guac ever. I looked at this recipe and noticed two ingredients that I don't add in mine - red onions and lime "zest." I can't wait to try these additions.

Love and Lemons

Rhubarb Mint Mojito

It's rhubarb season, So let's make a cocktail. It's a muddled drink, which is always fun to watch. The liquor is rum, and the presentation of so sophisticcated!

Broma Bakery

The Best Cerviche

On a hot summer day or night, cerviche seems just right. It's fresh fish cured with lime juice, tossed with cilantro, cucmber, tomato, and optional avocado. Since when is avocado ever really optional?  You can use almost any kind of fish you desire. Yum!

Feasting at Home

Everything Smoked Salmon Dip

Easy to make and so delicious to eat. In fact I suggest that you make a double batch. It's that good!

How Sweet Eats

Tomato Peach Crostini With Hot Bacon Dressing

The perfect recipe to highlight the stars of summer. Any kind of crostini  is always a hit with my guests. The tomatoes and peaches are served over grilled garlic bread that has been topped with goat cheese and basi. A chic choice.

Half Baked Harvest

Citrus Mezcal Cocktail

Who knew that Tequila's sister spirit could make such a chic cocktail? If you didn't know Mezcal is like tequila but smokey with a distinct personality of its' own.

Brit + Co

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