It’s party time!  I had a small gathering with friends for a Jamberry nail extravaganza.  A friend from childhood is a representative and I knew that we had to do this up with flair if we were going to have fancy nails too 🙂

So, what to make?  First, I knew it needed to be bite sized.  Second, keep it light as the party was at 2pm. Lots of options… here was the menu:

Manchego Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

This is inspired by this Bon Appetit recipe.

• 12 Medjol Dates
• Manchego Cheese
• Bacon (4 slices)
• Smoked Paprika
• 3 Long wooden skewers

Preheat oven to 375°F. Using small knife, make small cut in side of each date; remove pit. Insert 1 piece of cheese into each date (as much that will fit). Brush bacon slices generously on 1 side with smoked paprika. Wrap each date with 1 piece of bacon, with paprika side against date. To make it easier to flip, I put 4-6 bacon wrapped dates on a long skewer.  Place on a cookie sheet.

Roast until bacon is beginning to crisp, about 10-12 minutes. Turn skewer over; roast until bacon is cooked, about 10-12 minutes longer. Transfer to plate; cool slightly. Remove toothpicks.

I made this the night before and reheated at 325 degrees for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Avocado Deviled Eggs

This recipe is inspired from Cookin Canuck.

• 12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 2 California avocados
• 2 limes (juice)
• ¼ – ½ tsp sriracha, to taste
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 4 tbsps minced cilantro
• 1/4 cup green onions (scallions), chopped in thin slices
• 1/4 orange bell pepper, cut into small squares

Cut the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise, remove the yolks and place the yolks in a medium bowl.  Smash the egg yolks and avocado with the back of a fork or potato masher until fairly smooth.  Add the the juice of 2 limes, sriracha (to taste) and salt, and smash again until combined.  Stir in the cilantro and green onions.  Fill the egg white halves with the avocado mixture.  Top with a few small squares of orange bell pepper.

And lucky me, my mom also brought Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Skewers.

And finally, we treated ourselves with One Sweet Bite’s Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies.  Soooo good.

Did I mention we had mimosas too?  Yep.

Needless to say, I am full and happy.  It’s a fat cat cuddle kind of evening.