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Win our Party Picks Basket
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Jennifer Cheng
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER MEL FROM BEVERLY HILLS, CA. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS!
I think Garth and Wayne (of Wayne’s World) said it best with their signature catchphrase: “Party time, excellent!!!” Despite the seasonal heat (or maybe because of it!) there are always plenty to of reasons to throw a summer party. Are you hosting a pool party? A luau? Perhaps a jazzy twinkle-lit summer soirée or a raucous block party? Whether the occasion you’re celebrating is big or small, you’re sure to throw a fabulous fête with some of our favorite party picks!
Enter a comment on this post by August 9th telling us about the snacks you like to have at parties and you’ll be entered in our Party Picks Basket giveaway. One winner will be selected at random to receive our Party Picks Basket, a $100 value, plus a $50 gift card for you to grab wine, ice cream or cheese and fruit for an easy party-pleasing tray.
Here’s what you’ll find in the basket:
- 365 Everyday Value® Organic Balsamic Vinegar
- Marcona Almonds
- Raincoast Crisps (Rosemary Raisin Pecan Crackers)
- Water Wheel Fine Wafer Crackers
- Silver Star Tex-Mex Salsa (Flame Roasted Medium)
- Divina Pitted Kalamata Olives
- 365 Everyday Value® Organic Jumbo Green Olives
- Vineyard Pantry Cabernet Roasted Garlic Mustard
- 365 Everyday Value® Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cold Pressed
- 4 Piece Cheese Knife Set
- Pretzel Crisps Classic
- Back to Nature Tuscan Herb Roasted Nut Mix
- Texas Mesquite Cutting Board
1,256 Comments
Comments
My favorite party snack to make is bacon wrapped dried apricots - everyone loves them!
07/25/2011 10:51:46 PM CDT
Pigs in a blanket!!! Oldie but a goodie!!
07/25/2011 10:53:15 PM CDT
I love to throw parties and use your nice selections of aperitif. The selection that I would make would make it a combo of vegetarian and organic fish dishes. All kinds of nuts, hummus (red chili of course) pita, some lesley stowe crips. The entree: Salmon in Champagne. Sounds labor intense but when you entertain, it is worth it.
07/25/2011 10:53:49 PM CDT
The best party snacks are homemade tortilla chips and homemade salsa! So quick and easy with so many versatile options- sure to be a party pleaser!
07/25/2011 11:00:03 PM CDT
Raincoast crisps, a best seller!
07/25/2011 11:06:12 PM CDT
Our go-to snack is spinach and artichoke dip, which quickly becomes a meal. Delicious!
07/25/2011 11:11:03 PM CDT
Fresh chips and fruit salsa and, of course, margaritas!
07/25/2011 11:21:56 PM CDT
Crackers, Cheese, tortillas, dips (humus , salsa, guacomole ..) all bought with love and a smile from a trip to Whole Foods!!!
07/25/2011 11:42:50 PM CDT
I really love spinach pinwheels - made with Neufchatel cream cheese. They always seem to disappear quickly!
07/25/2011 11:48:13 PM CDT
Blue corn tortilla chips, guacamole, and hummus(sun dried tomato variety) - I also love making fresh Bruschetta!
07/25/2011 11:52:10 PM CDT
Mmmm yum yum ;-)
07/26/2011 12:44:41 AM CDT
Bean hummuses and olive topanades with fresh pitas.
07/26/2011 1:07:08 AM CDT
These would be perfect snacks for our housewarming party! My husband and I just bought our first house...tonight :)
07/26/2011 1:11:35 AM CDT
I love to make sure that everyone is happy, so I always Ask my guests what they like. But my favorite go-to party food is savory chicken bites. My family always asks for it as well as my spinach dip. Serve both with veggies and crackers or Melba toast and party away!!!
07/26/2011 1:42:04 AM CDT
Fruit, cheeses, beer
07/26/2011 1:48:14 AM CDT
The best treats I've ever brought to a party were these homemade sweet potatoe samosas accompanied with curried apple sauce! It was a WF recipe from the app and the first time I made homemade apple sauce or samosas and they were a hit!! I definitely received props from my dish and shared the recipe and app with everyone there!!
07/26/2011 1:59:49 AM CDT
Cream cheese stuffed jalapeños have been a hit for me a few times running now. People ask for them , and now I have a few twists that improve the basic. I always chop some garlic into the cheese, and sometimes herbs . If it's a crowd trying to watch their weight I'll cut the cream cheese with ricotta. The bacon is the best part though. Thick cut, organic, low nitrate .... Cooked till crispy- just right to tell you when the jalapeños are done!
07/26/2011 2:04:16 AM CDT
I always make a huge bowl of roasted olives marinated in olive oil, citrus, and herbs with plenty of crusty bread for dipping.
07/26/2011 2:42:47 AM CDT
Simple: seasoned popcorn- cheap and easy!
Slightly more involved: five layer dip and chips- so good!
07/26/2011 5:36:11 AM CDT
I love to use a recipe my cousin gave me for fresh corn salsa served with tortilla chips. It has fresh cilantro and lime and is the perfect summer dip!
07/26/2011 6:26:25 AM CDT
My go-to party food would have to be my infamous vegan chocolate chip cookies. Seems like everywhere I'm invited to or anytime I hold a party at my house, there's always a few people who request them ;)
07/26/2011 6:31:33 AM CDT
It's not a party without sweets! Cookies, yum.
07/26/2011 6:55:25 AM CDT
Anything stuffed!
07/26/2011 6:56:15 AM CDT
S'mores made in the microwave:
marshmallow on 1 graham cracker square, about 5 seconds, top with semi-sweet chocolate square and the other graham cracker.
I've also made them en masse by laying out a bunch of them and increasing the time, but watch out!
At a barbecue or in the oven: Place crackers and marshmallows in roasting pan, cover with foil if the barbecue doesn't close. When slightly melted, take out and place chocolate & cracker and serve. These Go Fast!
07/26/2011 7:09:44 AM CDT
I love to have fresh seasonal sides made with local organic fruit and vegetables that I receive from my CSA co op each week. Last week I made some stuffed crimini mushrooms filled with barley, fresh goat cheese, and eggplant. The second side I made was a light and refreshing pickled cucumber and tomato salad tossed with quinoa. The third dish is a seaweed salad made with wakame, cucumber, carrots, sesame seeds, agave, and sesame oil. Yummmy!!
07/26/2011 7:52:25 AM CDT