Discover Smith Mountain Lake
WINTER 2016
53
52
Whole Nuts
:
walnuts, pecans, almonds,
cashews or pistachios.
Olives
: whole and sliced, black ripe, green,
Kalamata and stuffed varieties in cans and
jars.
Cheese
: feta, mozzarella, cheddar, and aged
provolone (tightly wrapped or vacuum-pack
cheeses can last in the fridge for several
weeks).
Tortilla Chips
Salsa in a Jar
: mild or medium to please
most palates.
Whole Pita or Pita Crisps
: pita bread can be
frozen.
Hummus
: choose a sealed refrigerated
package.
Carrots, Celery and Bell Peppers
: whole
veggies keep longer than pre-cut, and these
three are easy to find in the produce aisle.
Frozen Cheese Pizza
: choose your favorite
brand.
Olive Oil
: a kitchen essential.
These 10 basic
ingredients are the
building blocks for five
delicious, party-worthy
spreads that can be
prepped in 15 minutes
or less! Here’s how:
Fast Cheese and Olive Tray
Cube cheddar cheese, aged provolone, and
mozzarella. On a platter, make rows of alternating
colors with cubed white cheese next to a row of
green Pearls Specialties Garlic Stuffed Queen olives,
then a row of darker cheese and a row of deep
purple Kalamata olives. Present with toothpicks and
napkins for easy self-service.
Pizza-tizers
A simple cheese pizza is a canvas for appetizer
art! Add fresh, thinly sliced bell pepper, shredded
mozzarella cheese, and a generous topping of sliced
black ripe olives. Bake, then cut into mini-slices or
small squares and serve on wooden cutting boards.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Mediterranean Medley
Place store-bought hummus into a colorful dipping
bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and top with sliced Pearls
Kalamata olives. On a large platter, surround the
bowl with equal amounts of pita triangles, carrot
and celery sticks, plus bell pepper strips. Serve with
a bowl of Kalamata olives and cubed feta cheese.
Cheese-and-Olive Kebabs
Alternate cubes of mozzarella or provolone cheese
and any variety of olives on small bamboo skewers
and serve on a tray, alongside pita triangles and
hummus. Expert tip: Cut pita bread in triangles,
brush with olive oil, warm in oven 350F for 5-6
minutes.
Olive Nachos
Fill a cast iron pan with tortilla chips, generously
grate cheddar cheese over the top, and slide under
the broiler until the cheese bubbles. Spoon salsa on
top, sprinkle with sliced Pearls California black ripe
olives, and serve on a heat-resistant board.
Extra Credit: Easy Pleasers
Sometimes the simplest flavors are best. Fill
several small, colorful bowls with Pearls Specialties
olives, crunchy nuts, and cubed cheeses. A sprig of
parsley, thyme or rosemary adds a decorative touch.
The key to holiday entertaining is being prepared
with a few simple ingredients so you can spend
more time with guests and less time in the kitchen!
TOP TEN INGREDIENTS FOR
Casual Holiday Entertaining
Grandma in town? Unexpected guests? No problem! With a little planning and the right
ingredients, holiday entertaining is a snap. Stock up on these fridge, freezer and pantry staples a
couple of weeks before the holiday rush, and you’ll be ready -- no matter who’s on your doorstep.
Story and photo courtesy of StatePoint.
