Okay, so I decided to throw a little get-together last weekend, and I wanted to make some snacks that were a bit more interesting than just chips and dip. I’ve been on a real “savory” kick lately, so I figured I’d try my hand at some savory party food. Here’s how it all went down.
Brainstorming and Prep
First, I hit up the internet for some ideas. I knew I wanted a variety, something that people could easily grab and eat while chatting. Nothing too messy or complicated. I ended up settling on three things:
- Mini Sausage Rolls
- Spicy Cheese Straws
- Little Veggie Skewers with a Creamy Dip
I made a grocery list and headed to the store. Got my sausage meat, puff pastry (because who has time to make that from scratch?), some cheddar cheese, a bunch of colorful veggies, and the ingredients for a basic dip.
The Sausage Rolls
These were surprisingly easy. I mixed the sausage meat with some breadcrumbs, chopped onions, and a bit of sage. Then I rolled it out on the puff pastry, cut it into little logs, and brushed them with egg wash. Into the oven they went, and in about 20 minutes, I had golden-brown, delicious-smelling sausage rolls. I was so excited, I burn my younger with it.
Cheese Straws Time
For the cheese straws, I grated a whole heap of sharp cheddar. I mixed it with some flour, butter, a pinch of cayenne pepper (for that “spicy” kick!), and a little bit of water. I rolled the dough out thin, cut it into strips, and twisted them before baking. These were a bit trickier, had to watch them closely so they didn’t burn. But they came out crispy and perfectly cheesy.
The Veggie Skewers
The skewers were the simplest. I chopped up some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers (red, yellow, and orange for color!), and some little mozzarella balls. Then I just threaded them onto skewers. For the dip, I whipped together some cream cheese, sour cream, dill, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Super easy, super fresh.
The Party
Everyone loved the food! The sausage rolls were the first to go, naturally. The cheese straws were a big hit too, especially with the spicy kick. And even the veggie skewers got demolished, which surprised me (people actually ate their vegetables!). It was all pretty easy to make, and it definitely beat the usual party snacks. Success! I’m thinking of trying mini quiches next time…