Outdoor Party Appetizers

Nowadays, we are hosting more and more parties outside, so I wanted to share some party appetizer ideas when hosting outside especially in the hot summer.

Everyone loves to nibble, and platters with veggies and dried/fresh fruits are a great idea. For my crudites platter, I kept things simple with an assortment of veggies. Alongside that I housed my dips in chilled peppers and had lids on top or close by. When it comes to dips, avoid cheesy dips because they will spoil in the heat. Instead choose hummus dips – there are so many good store-bought ones. Trader Joe’s has a nice selection.

My family loves cheese, but unfortunately most cheese will be compromised in the heat. Goat cheese is one cheese though that will be wonderful both chilled or warmed, so serving this outside in the summer or on a hot day is a great idea. Make it the star of the show by coating it in herbs and serving alongside honey for drizzling. See my recipe for Herbed Goat Cheese Log. Click on this link. https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/herbed-goat-cheese-log/ My family loved this combination so much at our last outside party – celebrating Sydney’s high school graduation.

I hope you will incorporate some or all of these ideas into your next outdoor party.

My next cookbook Food From My Heart and Home will be launching in early Fall. It is chock-full of eye-catching photography and delicious, creative and healthy recipes. I cannot wait for you to see it! Recipes like Lavender Infused Cheesecake awaits you and Smoked Gouda Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese, homemade pastas, soups and much, much more. The book will be available in hardcover, paperback and ebook form.

Be sure to tell your friends about my blog and have them subscribe. I constantly update my recipes, so go through them periodically.

Here a list of some new ones you can find:

Some new Dinner recipes: Easy Black Bean Chili, Mushroom Ragu with Creamy Parmesan Polenta, Spicy Black Bean Chili with Sweet Potatoes, Peppers and Mushrooms, Healthy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna, Mexican Inspired Vegan Tacos, and more.

A new Snack or lighter dinner: Homemade Taquitos with Spicy Creamy Lime Sauce.

New Appetizers: Greek Mezze Platter, and Herbed Goat Cheese Log.

A new Side/Salad: Healthy Chickpea Salad (Summer Salad).

New Desserts: Vanilla Fudge with Party Sprinkles, and my newly update Orange Rosemary Cake.

What I’ve been up to!

It’s been a while since I have updated you guys on what’s been “cooking” at Mariooch’s Kitchen. Well, recipe development is always happening like this new fave go-to meal – Creamy Riced Cauliflower with Roasted Butternut Squash and Crispy Mushrooms. This will be your new fave too. You can find it under dinners! There are many new recipes, so search around my blog!

Recently, I was a featured chef at the Great Food Expo where I had the pleasure of opening and warming up the crowd for top chef Graham Elliot and the beautiful, and lovely Pretty Little Liars star and cookbook author Sasha Pieterse. It was an amazing turn out and we had so much fun. I taught the crowd how to make handmade pasta”Maltagliati”. It’s a great pasta if you are new to making pasta as it lends itself to imperfections. It’s actually historically known as a scrap pasta. For centuries, Italian grandmas have been making it by using the scraps from raviolis! Afterall, we don’t want to waste food right? I also like this pasta as its akin to life – nothing is perfect!

I had the pleasure of meeting Graham who happened to LOVE my Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Squares which are on my blog by the way. It was a newly developed recipe for an event I attended as a private chef. Everyone raved so much, I knew I’d better record the recipe. We served these at the expo!

As some of you know, I am an ambassador for The Maria Shriver Sunday Paper. It is a digital publication that inspires hearts and minds and serves to move humanity forward one conversation at at time. They have been featuring my recipes alongside some of the greats like Pioneer Woman and Giada. I feel very grateful that they like my recipes so much! Here is a photo from our meeting with Maria at NBC studios. My daughter Sydney came with me. It was a lot of fun and laughs and this clip Maria rolled on live TV.

This month, my son and I went in New York for another meet up, this time we were actually live on TV. He was so happy and exited. We sat in the “waiting room” or orange room with Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond and the famous country band Chris Janson who sings “good vibes” and “buy me a boat!”. It was an amazing experience. Here is a photo from inside the studio. Be sure to subscribe to The Sunday Paper and join the Sunday Paper Community!

Some more fun news! I will be publishing a second cookbook. I am working hard at developing recipes and creating a cookbook that you will love. I hope that all my recipes and posts inspire you to cook for your family and friends.

Thank you for following me. Be sure to like my Business page on facebook Mariooch’s Kitchen and to follow me on instagram @marioochcooks. All the best! Mary

Friendsgiving Platter

This is a fabulous way to celebrate friendsgiving! There is something for everybody on this beautiful eye-catching platter. The colors are very autumnal and have an earthy vibe. Go to Appetizers and you’ll see the step-by-step instructions for assembling this gorgeous platter. I’ve also developed a delicious new cranberry blackberry sauce just in time for Thanksgiving! xo