Drinks and food go hand in hand in my opinion, and both are enjoyed more when the other is present. To that end I'm going to start to share more low fuss food recipes. Just like drinks, I believe great food is all about the ingredients you choose and some of the most impressive dishes can be super simple.
For this post I want to share a few recipes that take less than 20 minutes to pull together and can be shared with friends or simply nibbled on at home while you wrap up the day and ease into dinner.
Aperitivo Hour, Happy Hour, Drinks and Snacks... whatever you call it, it's also a great low stress way to entertain. Set out one or two things to eat, make a few spritzes and a good time is had by all.
Roasted Olives
These olives come together in minutes but, once you start snacking it's hard to stop. You may want to double the recipe. If you're a fan of spice try adding a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes.
Roasted Olives
• 1 pint green olives with pits still in (you can use your favorite or a mix, but my pick is always Castlevetranos for their creamy flavor and texture)
• 1-2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Lemon zest, 2 pieces peeled from the lemon with a potato peeler
• 2 tbsp olive oil
Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl to coat everything in oil. Add mixture to a skillet. You can roast the olives in the oven at 375 or on the stovetop over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes. You want to stir occasionally to keep garlic from burning. The olives are done when both the garlic and olives just start to brown. Serve warm.
Manchego Plate
Really any cheese that you enjoy will do for a super snackable plate. I chose Manchego because I was pairing it with a Sherry Spritz and the nuttiness of Manchego goes so well.
When making any sort of cheese plate, I start with three things - 1) cheese, 2) fruit, 3) nuts or crackers. This can be all you need or you can build from there. In this case I chose Manchego, paired that with some creamy yet briney Castelvetrano olives (the fruit in this case), and Marcona almonds. I then added a bit of honey because it goes so well with both the cheese and the almonds. A little bread is nice but not necessary.
Seasonal fruit is always a good addition - nectarine or peach in the summer, apples in the fall and winter.
If you want to add another cheese choose something that contrasts the first cheese. In this case I would have gone for something soft and spreadable most likely, but you could have gone for another hard cheese with a sharp flavor.
There is often a tendency to over complicate a cheese plate, but I find that just a few intentional choices make for the best experience and make your life easier.
Crostini with Olive Tapenade
Tapenade is an easy year round topping for crostini that comes together fast and can be easily adapted to what you have on hand. Switch out the type of olive, add a different herb, leave out the red pepper, add capers or anchovies, whatever you like or find in the fridge.
Olive Tapenade
Keep It All Low Stress
It's my experience that a better time is had by all when a gathering is casual and low stress. When the focus is on the company and a welcoming vibe the mood elevates everything you serve.