Easy Bruschetta...

Here's a quick and easy "pick me up" snack for an afternoon break:

I whipped up a little batch of salsa with what i had available.  This one has tomatoes, green pepper, radish and a dash of salt, pepper and balsamic!

I gathered some large crostini, Boursin cheese, Sweet Fire Mango Jack cheese (any cheddar or mozzarella will do) and the salsa.

Be creative with how you make this - every time i make it is different, it always is whatever is in the fridge or garden!

Because the crostini is large, you need some "glue", so when you bite into it it doesn't fall apart.  The Boursin holds everything together!

Spread a layer of Boursin on the crostini and top with salsa and then some shredded cheese (this holds everything in place)

Put in under the broiler until shredded cheese melts and garnish with fresh basil ribbons:

This is so easy to make for a crowd, too.  Mix up the salsa the day before so that flavors meld together, buy crostini at the grocery market, grate cheese ahead of time and assemble before guests arrive - - Broil at the last minute!

Be creative, add red onion, minced garlic, chopped zucchini or cucumber, celery and so on!  Here are other ways I have made bruschetta: here and here and here.

Enjoy it with a glass of wine!

These were made a few days later with homemade peach salsa:

Find the appetizer plates here:

These MacKenzie-Childs Emerald Check Appetizer Plates  are on sale!

MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Appetizer Plates

Thanks for stopping by, Patti

Word graphics by Susan Branch

Affiliate link to Mackenzie-Childs

Cranberry Vodka

Cranberry Vodka is perfect for Cosmos, martinis, or mixed with soda, lemon-lime or tonic water.  It takes only a few minutes to make and a week in storage for full flavor.

Here's a quick way to make an 8 oz bottle for the holidays:

Quick last minute snacks, treats and crafts....

Are you looking for something new this holiday season, perhaps a new snack to serve or maybe you are feeling crafty?  Well, scroll through this post to see if anything inspires you!

These are simple to make, dip two pretzels into melted chocolate and add an M&M and two candy eyes!

A Unique Wine Glass Marker...

I dressed up our glasses a few times recently, just for fun!

These were simple to make out of scraps of fabric and markers.

Here's how I did it:

Minty Lemonade

Cheesy Onion Appetizer

Here's a quick and easy appetizer, using only 2 ingredients:

Cheesy Onions

Ham and Cheese Puffs

Here's a tasty little appetizer to use up a little leftover ham:

Charcuterie Bread Bites

This idea was a lot easier and quicker than setting up a charcuterie board:

Charcuterie Bread Bites

Afternoon Happy and Snacky Hours for 2

We don't have Happy Hour/Snacky Hour every day, but when we do, I like to make it special.  Here are a few holiday Happy Hours the two of us have had lately:

A Paint Party with friends!

Seven girlfriends and I took a painting class and made Lazy Susans at Miller's Crossing Design Center

Butter Board - or Butter Schmear....

Last week, when a group of friends gathered over charcuterie, they chatted about butter schmears, some refer to it as a butter board - it's just what it sounds like!

HOOO"S ready for Happy Hour?

What a HOOT -  would you like a pumpkin muffin?

Charcuterie Ideas

Charcuterie

Charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-REE) is a specific term with origins reaching as far back as 15^th century France; literally translated, it means the products of a fancy pork butcher. 

Modern charcuterie does often include pork, but the definition has widened to reflect a dish served throughout many cultures.

source

Watermelon Cooler

You can mix watermelon vodka with cranberry juice, lemonade, orange juice, or pineapple juice, and can be served over ice with a lime garnish.

Here's a refreshing cocktail:

Tuna-Carrot Roll-Ups

Here's my "go-to" appetizer when I have no other inspiration:

Tuna-Carrot Roll-Ups  

Tuna Cukes

Here's a quick and easy appetizer to make.....

Melon Stacks

Melon Stacks are easy and fun to make.....

Something's Fishy about this Happy Hour

BLT Cheesy Meatballs

BLT Cheesy Meatballs

Here's a fun, tasty and easy to make appetizer:

Watermelon Mules

Watermelon Mule

Here are two delicious recipes for Watermelon Mules.

A perfect cocktail for a hot summer day!