Feeding a crowd can be challenging – so make it easier with simple appetizers that will keep your guests happy and you relaxed. When the weather gets warm we like to grill and cook food outdoors, or even if that isn’t part of our approach, eating on the deck or patio is one of the joys of the season. Rainy day? No problem. Bring the summer indoors with these great warm-weather appetizers. And the best thing? All of these are gluten-free, low FODMAP recipes that everyone can enjoy!
Wood-Fired Hot Honey Chicken Wings
By now we are sure you’ve seen the term “hot honey” here, there, and everywhere. It refers to the combination of sweet honey and hot chiles, and the combination works wonders on chicken wings, especially when they are cooked in a wood-fired oven. Get the recipe for Wood-Fired Hot Honey Chicken Wings.
7-Layer Dip
A dip with 7 layers. OK, let’s count ‘em: Guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheeses, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, black olives. Get out the dippers! Get the recipe.
Roasted Beet Yogurt Dip With Walnuts
This vivid dip is easy to make and always creates buzz at the buffet table. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in the beetroot, which also has an earthiness that is unparalleled. Puréed and combined with lemon juice, garlicky olive oil, salt and pepper, it is served on a bed of creamy yogurt and topped with crunchy walnuts and herbaceous fresh parsley. Scoop it up with thinly sliced rounds of baguette. Get the recipe for Roasted Beet Yogurt Dip With Walnuts.
The BEST Charcuterie & Cheese Board
Want to make an Instagram-worthy Charcuterie & Cheese Board? It is an art – but a mighty tasty one and we show you how. There will be something for everyone. Get the recipe.
Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
Start with a big round crusty sourdough bread, add some garlic-infused oil, butter, lots of cheese (Gruyere for flavor, Mozzarella for the ooey gooey texture) and a sprinkling of parsley. Get in there with your hands and pull off hunks. Get the recipe.
Singapore Chicken Satay
You can choose boneless chicken thighs or breasts for this skewered chicken dish. Ginger, turmeric, peanut butter, garlic-oil, soy sauce and chiles form a marinade and a dipping sauce. If you have the grill going, you can cook these on a propane grill or hardwood charcoal. Get the recipe.
New England Shrimp Boil
Are you a seafood lover? New England Shrimp Boil is easy to make. The entire process takes mere minutes and only 3 steps. A simple bowl of melted butter with a little hot sauce is served alongside for dipping the peeled shrimp, after they are drained. And the fun? Lay out newspaper on your table and invite lucky eaters to discard the shells right onto the paper. Get the recipe for New England Shrimp Boil.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs (with instructions on how to make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs) – but with bacon. Enough said. Get the recipe.
Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs: there are many ways to make them, but we have the best approach, that guarantees perfectly hard-boiled eggs every time. Get the recipe for Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs.
Muffuletta Deviled Eggs
If you are not familiar with the classic muffuletta sandwich, I am sure the title of this recipe had you scratching your head. Sicilian immigrants in New Orleans created it by combining various salami and cheese, always with a garlicky olive salad, and packing them into bread. The juices from the olive salad soak into the bread and the whole thing is one of those recipes that is more than a sum of its parts. These Muffuletta Deviled Eggs take all those flavors and bring them to the world of the supremely adaptable deviled egg. Get the recipe for Muffuletta Deviled Eggs.
Shredded Pork Nachos with 3-Cheese Beer Queso
Warm corn chips and shredded pork, creamy queso cheese sauce made with beer and all kinds of fresh and crunchy add-ons: tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions, jalapeno, olives, fresh lime, and cilantro. The “3 cheese” designation comes from the cheddar and Monterey Jack in the queso sauce and additional feta cheese scattered about on top. Get the recipe for Shredded Pork Nachos with 3-Cheese Beer Queso.
Serve warm with toasted baguettes. Click here for Low FODMAP Baked Feta with Honey, Walnuts & Thyme
Baked in an ovenproof dish, bring this to the table warm. There is a low FODMAP amount of sun dried tomatoes! Click for Baked Feta with Olives & Sun-dried Tomatoes
Guacamole
Everyone needs an easy “guac” recipe! So much better than the kind you buy already made – and prepped in minutes. Get the recipe for Guacamole.
Blue Cheese Dip & Dressing
We all need a great blue cheese dip, and this one is rich, creamy, filled with blue cheese and is versatile, hence its name. Get the recipe for Blue Cheese Dip & Dressing.
Eggplant Dip
This Eggplant Dip is made from roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice and garlic-infused olive oil. We love it as a dip or as a sandwich spread. The pomegranate seeds are optional, but add a bright, fresh, juicy texture and flavor! Get the recipe for Eggplant Dip.
Pickled Shrimp
Have you ever pickled anything before? If not, this Pickled Shrimp recipe is a great place to start! The dish takes maybe 30-minutes to make and 3 hours later you can present this gorgeous appetizer to lucky friends and family. While it doesn’t take long to make, you can also make it ahead and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. Get the recipe for Pickled Shrimp.
Hummus
Start with canned chickpeas for quicker prep – but do take the time to clip the chickpeas out of their skins. It makes a silky smooth hummus! Use your best olive oil and fresh tahini, and don’t skimp on the lemon juice. The acidity is needed to bring all the flavors together. We like vegetables and pita for dipping, but try pretzels, too! Get the recipe for Hummus.
Grilled Corn Salsa
My favorite corn is actually early September corn here in the Pioneer Valley, an area that encompasses parts of northern Connecticut and our area of western Massachusetts. This Grilled Corn Salsa, which can also easily be turned into a salad/side dish, is easy, fabulous and tastes like late summer. Get the recipe for Grilled Corn Salsa.
Fresh Tomato Salsa
Have you ever made a tomato-based fresh salsa? A few ingredients combine to create a salsa with bright flavors that are nothing like jarred version. Get the recipe for Fresh Tomato Salsa.
Strawberry Salsa
Salsa is not just made from tomatoes! We know this sounds odd, but try this salsa – yes, with corn chips – and we think you will be pleasantly surprised. Use the reddest, sweetest berries you can find. Serve with your favorite corn chips. Get the recipe for Strawberry Salsa.
18 Iced Tea & Refreshing Drink Recipes That Will Make You Scream Summer Is Here!
Ah, nothing hits the spot on a hot day like a tall, cool drink. Or how about simply to hydrate, or after exercise, or to enjoy as a “mocktail” without the alcohol. We have iced teas, punches, flavored lemonades, limeade, smoothies, spritzers, and even a homemade electrolyte beverage. Any of these will enhance your apps! Get the article.
