Party Ideas

Winter is the coldest, and coziest time of year. When preparing food for a winter baby shower, you’ll want to prepare warmer dishes.

You can serve appetizers such as spinach dip, meat balls, and baked brie to keep your guests warm and full!

Prosciutto and Brie on Artisan Crackers

Prosciutto and brie on artisan crackers is a crispy appetizer with a sweetened finish to it.

Artisan crackers are arranged on a plate, and topped with a slice of brie cheese on each of them.

Basil leaves are placed on top of the brie, along with strips of prosciutto that are placed in a folded shape.

A couple sprigs of arugula are placed on top of the prosciutto to complete the base of the appetizer.

Drizzle a bit of honey and balsamic reduction all over the artisan crackers and enjoy!

Meat Balls

Meat balls are a bite sized appetizer that are packed full of savory flavor and sweet sauce.

Sweet and Tangy Asian meat balls are covered in teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.

Garnish the meat balls with fresh parsley and sesame seeds.

You can place a toothpick into each meat ball so it isn’t sticky on your fingers.

Baked Brie

Baked brie is made by baking a wheel of brie in the oven with a variety of toppings.

You can add the toppings prior to baking, or after, depending on the flavoring you’re wanting for your appetizer. Baked brie is served with sliced baguette pieces for dipping, crackers, or celery and carrot sticks.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs look eye catching and are quite filling as an appetizer.

They are made by cooking eggs, and the cutting them in half.

The center portion of the egg is mixed with mayo, diced dill pickles, mustard, pepper and paprika.

The filling is piped back into the white portion of the egg, and garnished with a bit more paprika.

Focaccia Bread with Oil and Balsamic

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on a plate. It should be a decent size, depending on how many people you’ll be serving for.

Pour balsamic reduction over the olive oil in a zig zag design.

Focaccia bread can be cut into strips, and then in half for a decent serving size.

Dip the bread in the mixture of olive oil and balsamic for a savory bread appetizer.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and artichoke dip is a creamy, hot dip you can serve with baguette slices, or crackers.

Garlic is cooked in olive oil in a frying pan until it releases its aromas.

Spinach is added to the pan and wilts as it cooks. Once it’s done cooking, remove it from it from the heat source.

Cream cheese is mixed together with sour cream, mayo, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a little hot sauce.

Cooked spinach is added to the cream cheese mixture along with chopped up artichoke hearts.

Spinach and artichoke dip is placed in a baking dish and baked in the oven for about 20 minutes.

The dip is finished baking when the cheese begins to brown and bubble.

Tea Sandwiches

Tea sandwiches are small sandwiches that are usually served with high tea. They are cut into rectangles or circles to give them a unique shape.

You can make different types of sandwiches for a winter baby shower such as:

• ham and cheese
• cucumber and cream cheese
• egg salad
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• strawberry, basil and cream cheese

Pinwheels

Pinwheels are made by using a tortilla, and spreading the filling over the tortilla in a thin layer.

The pinwheel is made by rolling up the tortilla, and then slicing it into 1/2-3/4″ rounds.

• Bacon Jalapeno Pinwheels
• Ranch Cream Cheese Rollups
• Vegetable Tortilla Roll Ups

Cheese Ball

Make your own easy cheese ball with cream cheese for a delicious savory appetizer.

The cheese ball is made by simply using a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add a couple of herbs, spices and cheddar cheese to create the base of the cheese ball.

The next part is very messy!!

Shape the cream cheese into a ball shape, and roll into a plate of chopped up walnuts.

Chill for half an hour to make it firm up again.

Serve your cheese ball by slicing off a bit of it and put it onto a cracker to enjoy!

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Wraps

Cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps are juicy and savory.

Slice cantaloupe into thin pieces, and then wrap a piece of prosciutto around the cantaloupe.

Drizzle balsamic reduction over the cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps to garnish.

Ripe watermelon is one of the juiciest fruits in the summer, making for a refreshing appetizer base.

You can use watermelon to make bruschetta, skewers, salsa, or watermelon cups to create alluring appetizers for your next summer party!

Watermelon Bruschetta

Watermelon bruschetta has creamy undertones, mixed with refreshing watermelon and sweet balsamic reducion.

Watermelon bruschetta is made by whipping together feta cheese and ricotta cheese.

Baguette slices are toasted and then a layer of the whipped ricotta and feta cheese is spread on top.

Watermelon is cubed into small pieces, and placed on top of the creamy layer.

Add a little freshly chopped chives, basil leaves, and ground pepper to the bruschetta.

Drizzle with balsamic reduction and your watermelon bruschetta is ready to be served.

Watermelon Skewers

Watermelon skewers are simple to make, but have a ton of flavor!

The mint and watermelon mixed together with the tart feta cheese makes these watermelon skewers irresistible!

To make this simple watermelon appetizer, cut watermelon and feta into similar sized cubes or rectangles.

Stack them on top of one another, and then add a large mint leaf on top.

Place a toothpick through the stack, and garnish with a bit of pepper.

You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on top if desired.

Watermelon Cups

Watermelon cups are circular appetizers filled with cucumbers and feta.

The cup portion of the watermelon is made by using a circular cookie cutter (I used a scone cutter since it has a handle on top – made it much easier!).

Cut the watermelon with the circular cookie cutter until you’ve made enough for your appetizer.

Next up, a melon baller is used to scoop the inside of the circle. A melon baller makes the inside a perfect circle, but if you don’t have one you can always use a spoon!

The watermelon cut from the center is diced into small pieces and placed in a bowl.

Cucumber cut into a similar sizing as the watermelon pieces and added to the bowl with the watermelon. Feta cheese is crumbed into the bowl to make the base of the filling.

A little red wine vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper seasons the cucumber and watermelon. Mix them together and then spoon the filling back into the watermelon cups.

Top with a little more crumbled feta and it’s all finished.

Watermelon cups are the perfect addition to a summer BBQ.

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon salsa is a refreshing fruit based salsa you can serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

Watermelon salsa is made by adding together chopped up watermelon, mango, pineapple, jalapeno, red onions, and red pepper in a large bowl.

To spice the salsa, fresh cilantro leaves are added, along with lime juice, olive oil, paprika, cumin, and salt.

Watermelon salsa is best if served the day it’s made.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the salsa and place it into a fresh bowl for serving.

Watermelon Brie Bites

Watermelon brie bites are a creamy, and refreshing appetizer you can serve on a hot summer’s day as a delicious appetizer.

Balsamic vinegar is cooked together with sugar to make a sugary syrup consistency that you’ll use to drizzle on top of the appetizer. Another option would be to use balsamic reduction.

Assemble the appetizer by placing a rectangular piece of watermelon on the bottom, and then adding a piece of arugula, and a slice of brie cheese on top.

Place a toothpick through the stack, and drizzle with balsamic to garnish.

Margarita Watermelon Jalapeno Bites

Margarita watermelon jalapeno bites have the flavoring of eating a margarita! (Therefore they are adult only!!)

A simple sugar is made, and then a portion of it is cooked with slices of jalapeno peppers.

The rest of the simple sugar is mixed with fresh lime juice, tequila, and orange liquor to create the margarita taste.

The margarita syrup is poured over cubed pieces of watermelon and set to marinade for a couple of hours.

To assemble the appetizer, place a piece of watermelon, and then top with 1 piece of sliced jalapeno. Place a toothpick through the stack.

Crumble cotija cheese over the appetizer and serve immediately.

Fresh Mozzarella and Watermelon Skewers

Fresh mozzarella and watermelon skewers have a citrusy honey lime drizzle on them.

Watermelon is made into balls using a melon baller. Onto each skewer, a piece of watermelon, and a piece of fresh mozzarella is alternated until the entire skewer is full.

Fresh lime juice is mixed with lime zest, salt, and honey for the coating on the skewers.

Drizzle the sauce on top of the skewers, and serve immediately.

Watermelon and Coconut Lime Dip

Watermelon and coconut lime dip is a fruity appetizer with a hint of lime with coconut yogurt dipping sauce.

Watermelon is cut into long pieces, and Tajin seasoning is sprinkled on top. The narrow pieces of watermelon make it easy dipping into the sauce.

The creamy dipping sauce is made by combining coconut yogurt, fresh lime juice, and coconut sugar.

Dip your watermelon pieces into the coconut sauce and enjoy!

Blackberry and Watermelon Skewers

Blackberry and watermelon skewers are simple to make, and have juicy flavoring when you bite into them!

A piece of cubed watermelon is placed on the bottom, and a piece of feta in the middle, and a blackberry on top.

A toothpick is placed through the stack, and it’s ready to be enjoyed!

The salty feta cheese balances out the rich, juicy flavoring of the blackberries, making this appetizer a big hit at parties!

Watermelon Cups with Cranberry Mascarpone

Watermelon cups with cranberry mascarpone is a rich and decadent appetizer.

Watermelon is cut into squares, and then a melon baller is used to scoop out a bit of the middle to create a watermelon cup.

Cranberries are pulsed in a food processor and then are combined with sugar to remove some of their tartness.

Mascarpone cheese is mixed in with the sugary cranberries for the center filling of the watermelon cup.

You can roll the filling into balls, and then place them nicely in the watermelon cup for a fancy looking appetizer.

Garnish with a bit of orange zest and strips of fresh basil leaves.

Pepperoni is a savory, spicy meat you can use to make delicious appetizers.

You can use pepperoni to make an alluring charcuterie board, cheese ball, caprese bites, pepperoni chips, pinwheels, zucchini bites, or dips.

Some of the appetizers are served warm, right out of the oven, and others you can prepare ahead of time and have them chill for a couple of hours.

Try making one of these enticing pepperoni appetizers for your next summer BBQ, or family get together.

Pepperoni Charcuterie Board

Pepperoni has a spicy flavoring to it, therefore it pairs well with creamy cheese for charcuterie.

You can layer cheese and pepperoni on your favorite crackers to make your own charcuterie board at home.

Pepperoni also goes well with slices of dill pickles, whole grain mustard, or olives for the perfect addition your pepperoni appetizer charcuterie board.

• cheddar cheese
• cheddar jack cheese
• fontina cheese
• goat cheese
• parmesan cheese
• Swiss cheese
• white cheddar cheese

Pepperoni Caprese Bites

Pepperoni caprese bites are an eye catching appetizer assembled on a toothpick, with a basil vinaigrette dressing.

To assemble the pepperoni appetizer, place a fresh piece of mozzarella, then a folded piece of pepperoni, a fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick.

Drizzle basil vinaigrette dressing on top and serve immediately.

Pepperoni Cheese Ball

Pepperoni cheese ball is an appetizer you can make ahead of time. Cheese balls need time to chill and solidify prior to serving.

Make the base of the cheeseball by combining softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, chopped up pepperoni pieces, garlic salt, and freshly grated mozzarella cheese.

For the coating of the cheeseball, you can use a cracker coating with some Parmesan cheese, or chopped up nuts. You could use walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy texture on the outside.

Place the coating for the cheeseball on a plate, and form the cheese mixture into a ball.

Roll the ball in the coating, and then cover in plastic wrap. Chill the cheese ball in the fridge.

When you’re ready to serve it, place the cheese ball on a plate with a variety of crackers.

Pepperoni Puff Pastry Bites

Pepperoni puff pastry bites are a tasty appetizer made with puff pastry squares.

Each of the squares are topped with slices of pepperoni, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and strips of fresh basil leaves.

The 2 opposite points of the puff pastry square are folded inward, and then the pastry can be egg washed to create a beautiful sheen on it when it comes out of the oven.

The pepperoni appetizer is baked in the oven until the puff pastry is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.

Serve warm, right out of the oven.

Pepperoni Pinwheels

Pepperoni pinwheels are a creamy, chilled, bite sized pepperoni appetizer.

Softened creamed cheese is mixed together with garlic powder, basil, oregano, chopped up pepperoni pieces, and freshly grated mozzarella cheese.

The cream cheese layer is spread onto a tortilla, leaving about a half inch from the edges of the tortilla.

The tortilla is rolled up, and then chilled for a couple of hours.

When you’re ready to serve the pinwheels, slice them into pieces that are about a half inch in thickness.

You can serve pepperoni pinwheel appetizer bites with pizza sauce for dipping if desired.

Pepperoni Dip

Creamy pepperoni dip is made by combining cream cheese and sour cream for the base of the dip.

The dip is flavored with basil, oregano, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Chopped up roasted red peppers, and pieces of pepperoni are added to the dip, along with some grated mozzarella cheese.

Pepperoni dip can be chilled until you’re ready to serve it, so you can make it ahead of time if you want.

Serve pepperoni dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, carrot sticks, or celery sticks.

Pepperoni Chips

Pepperoni chips are made by baking slices of pepperoni in the oven until they crisp up.

Serve pepperoni chips with garlic and herb dip or pizza sauce for dipping.

Zucchini Pepperoni Bites

Zucchini pepperoni bites are delicious warm pizza bite sized pepperoni appetizers.

Zucchini is sliced into rounds, and then drizzled with a bit of olive oil and broiled until tender.

The cooked zucchini slices are topped with a little oregano, pizza sauce, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and a slice of pepperoni.

The zucchini pieces are broiled again to melt the cheese, and the pepperoni will have a bit of crispy edge to them.

Serve immediately.

Chickpeas are easy to use as the base for savory appetizers. You can make hummus, warm buffalo dip, fritters, cucumber bites, and bruschetta using delicious chickpeas.

Many of the appetizers you can make ahead of time, and then bake or assemble right before your guests arrive.

Try making one of these tasty chickpea appetizers for your next party or family get together!

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Roasted garlic hummus is a homemade chickpea appetizer with hints of garlic, and spicy flavors.

Roasted garlic hummus is made by roasting garlic in the oven.

You can make the roasted garlic by cutting off the top part of garlic to expose the cloves, and then drizzle olive oil on the cloves. Cover the garlic with tin foil, and place in a heat proof dish. This way, the oil drippings will end up in the dish, instead of in your oven.

When the roasted garlic is finished cooking, and has cooled down, squish out the roasted garlic cloves.

To make the roasted garlic hummus, chickpeas, tahini, roasted garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and water are added to a food processor. The mixture is blended until smooth, and then placed in a serving dish.

You can garnish the hummus with parsley leaves, olive oil, and chili powder. Serve roasted garlic hummus with pita chips, pita bread, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.

Chickpea Bruschetta

Chickpea bruschetta is a savory and appetizer, with a hint of sundried tomato and garlic flavor.

Chickpeas are mashed together with fresh parsley, olive oil, sundried tomatoes, and lemon juice.

The herbed flavored chickpeas are spread onto a freshly toasted baguette slice that has been rubbed with garlic.

To garnish the chickpea appetizer, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and fresh parsley, serve immediately.

You can make the chickpea mixture ahead of time, and then toast the baguette pieces when you’re ready to serve the appetizer.

Chickpea Fritters

Chickpea fritters are warm crispy appetizers you can serve with a side of tahini, or aioli for dipping.

Chickpea fritters are made by mashing together chickpeas, flour, freshly grated parmesan cheese, parsley, cumin, garlic powder and a bit of water.

The fritters are formed into balls, and then flattened to be cooked in a frying pan with a bit of oil.

The fritters are done cooking when they have a golden brown crispy edge on either side of them.

You can make the fritters ahead of time, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them for your guests.

Chickpea Cucumber Bites

Chickpea cucumber bites are an enticing, refreshing, and spicy appetizer.

Chickpeas are roasted or fried with a spicy coating to add a ton of flavor to the appetizer.

Cucumber is sliced into rounds for the bottom portion of the appetizer. The rounds will hold the toppings on top of them.

Avocado is mashed with a bit of lime juice, salt and pepper. The avocado is spread onto the cucumber rounds, and then a couple of the chickpeas are added on top of the avocado. The avocado with hold the chickpeas in place for the appetizer.

Finish off the chickpea appetizer by drizzling chipotle crema on top, and a couple parsley leaves.

Chickpea Shawarma Dip

Chickpea shawarma dip is a layered dip you can serve with pita bread, pita chips, or carrots and celery sticks.

The first layer of the dip is hummus, topped with roasted spicy chickpeas.

The next layer is a parsley, cherry tomato, and red onion salad, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

The salad is spread on top of the chickpea/hummus layer.

Finally, the dip is covered in a garlic-dill sauce.

Buffalo Chickpea Dip

Buffalo chickpea dip is a warm chickpea appetizer dip you can serve with tortilla chips.

Cashews are softened by boiling them, and then cooled down.

Cashews, yogurt, hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder are blended together to create the flavoring for the dip.

The chickpeas are added to the blender, and then only pulsed a couple of times to thicken the dip.

The dip is placed in a heat proof dish, topped with a bit of grated cheese, and baked in the oven until it’s bubbling hot.

Serve buffalo chickpea dip with tortilla chips, or pita chips.

Cauliflower appetizers can be served at parties, summer BBQ’s, or before a big family dinner.

You can use cauliflower to create delicious appetizers like cauliflower bites, fritters, breadsticks, crostini’s, nachos, or dips.

Try making one of these savory cauliflower appetizers for your next get together with family or friend’s!

Cauliflower Bites

Cauliflower bites are a savory cauliflower appetizer.

Cauliflower bites are made by chopping up cauliflower, and then adding a spicy, or savory sauce to it and roasting it in the oven (see below for some delicious cauliflower bites recipes).

The cauliflower pieces are cooked until the edges are crispy.

You can serve cauliflower bites with several different types of dipping sauces, including garlic aioli, or avocado cilantro lime sauce.

• Roasted garlic parmesan bites
• Buffalo cauliflower bites
• Korean BBW cauliflower bites
• Honey garlic cauliflower bites

Roasted Cauliflower and Feta Dip

Roasted cauliflower and feta dip is a dip you can serve warm, or chilled.

Cauliflower florets are roasted in the oven with onion powder, garlic powder and olive oil until they are fork tender.

The cauliflower should be cooled for a bit, then you can puree it in a food processor.

Add crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice to the food processor and blend together to create a smooth dip.

Top the dip with a drizzle of olive oil, chopped up chives, and a few chili pepper flakes.

Roasted cauliflower and feta dip goes well with pita chips, crostini’s, carrots, or celery for dipping.

Cauliflower and Steak Crostini

Cauliflower and steak crostini is an eye catching crostini with a ton of flavor and texture.

Cauliflower is chopped up roasted in the oven with some olive oil and whole garlic cloves until it’s soft, and can be pureed in a food processor.

The pan you cooked the cauliflower in will have bits stuck to it. Add some coconut milk and red curry paste to deglaze it. Deglazing means to take all of the bits mixed with the liquid you poured into the pan. You can then add your deglazing mixture back to the food processor and blend until smooth.

Steak can be marinated for a couple of hours with red curry paste, fish sauce, and lime juice.

Once you’re ready to cook it, grill it until it’s medium rare, and slice thinly, against the grain.

Assemble the cauliflower appetizer by placing a slice of baguette, a spoonful of cauliflower sauce, and then topping it with a bit of steak.

Garnish with a few green onions.

Cauliflower Nachos

Cauliflower nachos are made by using cauliflower instead of tortilla chips.

Cauliflower is cut into pieces, and then coated with olive oil, and Cajun seasoning, and roasted in the oven.

Once the cauliflower is cooked through, place the cauliflower pieces tightly together. Add a few black beans, chopped up tomatoes, finely chopped red onions, thinly chopped jalapenos, and mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven until the cheese has melted, and serve warm.

Buffalo Cauliflower Dip

Buffalo cauliflower dip is a dip served warm with tortilla chips.

Cauliflower is cut into pieces, and then roasted in the oven coated in olive oil.

The cauliflower should have a crispy edge when it comes out of the oven.

To make the buffalo cauliflower dip, mix together the cauliflower pieces, 1″ cubed cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, a bit of hot sauce, Greek yogurt or sour cream, chopped up green onions and a little blue cheese.

Bake the mixture in the oven until the cheeses have completely melted, and the edges of the dip are starting to crisp up.

Serve buffalo cauliflower dip warm with pita chips, tortilla chips, or baguette slices.

Cauliflower Hummus

Cauliflower hummus is made using cauliflower instead of chickpeas.

Cauliflower is cut into pieces, coated with olive oil, and roasted in the oven until it’s cooked through.

The cauliflower should cool to room temperature, and then it can be pureed in a food processor.

Add tahini, olive oil, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, and coriander to spice the cauliflower hummus and blend together until smooth.

Garnish with parsley and sunflower seeds. Serve with pita bread, carrots, or celery sticks for dipping.

Cauliflower Breadsticks

Cauliflower breadsticks are a unique cauliflower appetizer you can make. You can serve cauliflower breadsticks with ranch dip, pizza sauce, or garlic aioli.

Cauliflower breadsticks are made by pureeing small pieces of cauliflower in a food processor, and then cooking it in the microwave for 10 minutes. The water is moved from the cauliflower with a cheesecloth.

To make the breadsticks, mix together eggs, shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese, oregano, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.

Fold in the cauliflower, and then place the mixture onto 2 baking pans lined with parchment paper.

Bake in the oven until the breadsticks are golden brown. You can sprinkle on a bit more cheese at the end if desired.

Cauliflower Fritters

Cauliflower fritters can be served with garlic aioli, sour cream, or Greek yogurt for dipping.

Cauliflower florets are boiled for a couple of minutes to soften them.

The cauliflower is chopped into fine pieces, and then placed in a bowl with flour, eggs, minced garlic, scallions, a bit of salt and pepper.

The fritters can be shaped, and then cooked in a pan on medium heat with a little olive oil. The edges of the cauliflower fritters will turn golden brown and crisp up when they’re ready to flip.

Cook the fritters on both sides, and then serve them warm as a tasty cauliflower appetizer.