Posts tagged Party Food
30 minute Flaky Tapenade Bites
Ali Hedin's 30 minute Flaky Tapenade Bites | perfect for your next cocktail party

These are actually the perfect appetizer. I had forgotten about them for years and then I was scrambling for the perfect appetizer for a party and remembered I used to make these all the time. Like ALL THE TIME. The first time I made them for a group people - twenty years ago - everyone was RAVING about them. And that was one of the critical moments in my life when I realized food was my special skill.

These are not hard. My go-to ingredients are tomato paste + tapenade. It’s salty, mostly premade, simple, and kind of tastes like pizza. But I also use pesto when that’s what I have. I have tried fresh vegetables - spinach, tomato, even fresh basil leaves and that doesn’t work. It’s too liquid-y and it makes the pastry all weird. You’re always welcome to try it, but I tried it for you.

Ali Hedin's Fast Cocktail Party Appetizer that looks like a million bucks

Flaky Tapenade Bites

makes 2 dozen



1 package puff pastry

1/2 cup tomato paste

1/2 cup tapanade



STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Unroll the puff pastry sheet onto a floured cutting board and roll out slightly until you can’t see the lines anymore.


STEP 2

Use half of the tomato paste on each roll. Spread it out evenly over the sheet. Top with the tapenade in an even coat. Roll up the pastry and slice into 1/2 inch pieces.


STEP 3

Pop each slice on a lined baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes until puffed and crispy. Remove from the baking sheet and cool on a cooling rack.

Serve warm or room temperature.


Americano Cocktail

Delightfully simple and totally refreshing. Simple enough to make a batch of them, and a perfect compliment with the flaky tapenade bites!

Halloweenies
Ali Hedin | Halloween Weenies in a Spooky Hand

What’s better than pigs in a blanket? The correct answer is nothing.

This time of year we are eating quite a few pigs in a blanket thanks to the football season - it’s the perfect food for grab and go eating. Which makes it the perfect food for grab and go Halloween eating. I don’t know about your house, but this holiday doesn’t exactly lend itself to sitting around and eating a large meal.

Ali Hedin | Halloween Weenies in a Spooky Hand

To make these, I used crescent rolls and lil’ smokies. It’s so simple. I don’t really think this needs a recipe, but I’ll type one out anyway. Usually I serve a lil’ smoky with mustard because ketchup is gross. But in this case, it needs to look like blood. So ketchup it is! (I put mustard in a bowl on the side when serving)

Ali Hedin | Halloween Weenies in a Spooky Hand
Ali Hedin | Halloween Weenies in a Spooky Hand

Halloweenines

1 package lil’ smokies

2 packages crescent rolls

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll one package of crescent rolls. Use one of the triangles to make the base of your hand.

STEP 2

Slice the remaining rolls into strips. Start wrapping the lil’ smokies and laying them out to form a ‘hand'.’ Use the remaining strips to drape across the top of the lil’ smokies to hold them all together. Repeat with the second roll of crescent rolls and the rest of the lil’ smokies to form a second hand.

STEP 3

Bake about 15-20 minutes until golden brown on a lined baking sheet. Serve with ketchup!

Ali Hedin | Halloween Weenies in a Spooky Hand

Buffalo Chicken Tots

I cannot believe I haven’t shared these tots before! I am obsessed with tater tots AND obsessed with buffalo wings. It’s the perfect football snack - and this weekend the Seahawks have a very big game so you’ll need something to eat. Here it is. This is the best mash up of football snacks ever.

Pearl and I devoured this batch of them as soon as I made them. The real trick is to get the tots extra crispy. If you have an air fryer, use that! If you don’t, make sure our tots are on one even layer when you put them in the oven- and make sure your oven is extra hot (like 450 degrees). The crispier the tots, the longer you have with these being delicious. If your tots are soggy to start, then they will only get mushier as you serve them.

These are so great on a football game day because they take almost no time to pull together. I started at Town & Country stores for the groceries - it’s one of my favorite new stores.

I am obsessed with grocery stores. It’s actually my favorite activity when we’re on vacation, in a new city, or if I have time to kill. I love to see what other cities have on their shelves. I love to see local products. I love the adventure of finding new things.

Town & Country does not disappoint. It’s such a great store!

It’s also really fun in this big city we live in to travel across town and see the store that is totally different from the store down the block. I found a few things at Town & Country that I now exclusively drive across town to find! Let me know what your favorite grocery store find is and where you find it!

Buffalo Chicken Tots

1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (I use Frank’s)

1/2 cup butter

2 cups shredded chicken (I buy rotisserie and shred it)

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 green onions, chopped

Blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese crumbles

STEP 1

Cook the tots in the air fryer until very crispy but not burned.

STEP 2

Melt together butter and wing sauce in a large pan. Toss in shredded chicken and cook until warmed.

STEP 3

Spread the tots out on a serving platter. Top with the chicken and pour any extra sauce on top. Sprinkle over celery, onion, and blue cheese crumbles. Drizzle blue cheese dressing on top and serve hot!


Shredded Pork BBQ Tots

I am obsessed with tots. I adore good tater tots. Add them to any meal and you have a real party. Start topping them with things and then we’re really talking. Adding BBQ pork, coleslaw and some green onions made these tots a ridiculously filling Monday Night Football dinner.

I made the pork myself in the oven with a super simple recipe. It’s so easy to make tender pork but it’s also easy to buy some already done at a good grocery store or Costco. Just toss the shredded pork with barbecue sauce and you’re set. You’re welcome to shred the cabbage yourself too - or just purchase it from the grocery store. The only thing you really “make” from home is the white sauce. It’s so simple to get dinner on the table and this one is a particularly fun one. Enjoy!

Shredded Pork BBQ Tots

4 cups shredded pork

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

2 pounds frozen tater tots

2 cups shredded cabbage

1 cup mayonnaise

1/8 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon worchestershire

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon horseradish

1/2 teaspoon honey

2 green onions, chopped

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lay the tots in one layer on a baking sheet. Pop them into the oven and let them bake for 20 minutes, flip over, then bake another 20 minutes or until golden brown.

STEP 2

Blend together mayonnaise, vinegar, worchestershire, pepper, salt, horseradish, and honey. Pour half of the mixture over the shredded cabbage. Toss and let it sit.

STEP 3

Make sure the shredded pork is warm. Toss the pork with the BBQ Sauce.

STEP 4

Spread the tots out on a platter and top with pork. Add slaw to the top and garnish with sliced green onion. Serve with remaining white sauce and any extra BBQ sauce.


Simple Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs, deviled eggs, every one loves deviled eggs. There are a million ways to make them, and none of them are wrong - but sometimes people add ingredients that just don’t belong. The secret is in boiling the eggs just so - cold water over eggs and bring to a boil real slow. Then turn the heat off and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain and cover with cold water and ice until it’s cooled off enough you can peel the eggs well. Rinse them in cold water to remove left over shell. Smash together with equal parts yolk and mayonaisse - a dash of pickle juice makes them amaze. Pipe it back into the white and top with paprika. It’s a traditional deviled egg that’s hard to beat - a.

Simple Deviled Eggs

6 eggs, hardboiled

1/4 cup mayonaisse

1 tbs pickle juice

salt & pepper

paprika

STEP 1

Pop eggs into a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Then turn off the heat. Let rest 10 minutes.

STEP 2

Drain boiling water and cover eggs with ice and very cold water. Peel the eggs.

STEP 3

Slice the eggs in half and pop out the yolk. Save the white on a plate - and clean them up so they don’t have tiny bits of yolk on them.

STEP 4

Mash together egg yolks, mayonaisse, and pickle juice. Season with salt and pepper.

STEP 5

Pipe the yolk mixture back into the whites and sprinkle the tops with paprika.


Reuben Tots
Ali Hedin | Reuben Tots

Tots are the absolute, hands down best. This St. Patrick’s Day I put them to the test. First cook the tots until they’re super crispy, pulling them early is super risky. Once they come out toasty and hot, top them quick and top them a lot - with pastrami, sauerkraut, and swiss. Then back on broil until they are *chef’s kiss.* While still warm, drizzle 1000 island on top. Eat with a fork until they’re gone - you can’t stop!

Reuben Tots

1 lb tater tots

1/4 lb sliced pastrami

4 slices swiss cheese

1/2 cup sauerkraut

1000 Island Dressing

STEP 1

Toast the tots until they are extra crispy. I cook them on 450 for at least 40 minutes. But don’t burn them!

STEP 2

Turn the oven onto broil and let it warm up. Pile the hot tots into the center of the pan and top with meat, cheese and sauerkraut. Pop in the broiler and watch it closely! Pull them out then the cheese is bubbly.

STEP 3

Top with 1000 Island Dressing and eat immediately! Chances are you’ll need a fork.


Super Bowl Snack | Ranch Popcorn
Ali Hedin  |  Ranch Popcorn for Super Bowl

SUPERBOWL! In our house it’s literally waiting for the Super Bowl. We are a big football family. It started with college ball. That’s my personal favorite. I started watching Husky football games as a child because my cousin played for them. I had a purple and yellow stripe outfit that I wore to cheer on the team every week. It was hot. It was a sleeveless turtleneck number with matching stretch pants. Welcome to 1988.

Then when my youngest was born, he became obsessed with football. Like as a one year old he watched games and cried when football season was over. He’d watch ‘talk about football’ in the off season (that’s Sportscenter). Nine years later, he’s more obsessed than anyone I’ve ever met. He knows every player and where they’ve gone to college and their stats. He’s ridiculous.

So we spend every weekend watching football games, playing fantasy football, and talking about who’s been traded. SuperBowl is literally the biggest thing in our house.

Ali Hedin  |  Ranch Popcorn for Super Bowl

We’ve been talking about what we are going to eat for Super Bowl for at least a month now. Planning the food has been a paramount decision. Two weeks ago for playoff games we tested out WingStop to make sure they would be up to the task. I usually make my own wings but Jud had seen ads for WingStop and it became mandatory to see if they lived up to the hype. We’re planning a bucket of those to go along with the healthier options like this popcorn. And queso because it’s queso and there is no Super Bowl without queso.

Ali Hedin  |  Ranch Popcorn for Super Bowl
Ali Hedin  |  Ranch Popcorn for Super Bowl

RANCH POPCORN

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

2 tbs olive oil

2 tbs butter

2 tbs parmesan cheese

1 package powdered ranch dressing

1 tsp dried chives

1 tsp paprkia

STEP 1

In a pan or a stovetop popcorn popper, pour in olive oil and popcorn kernels. Shake the pan while cooking over high heat for 5-8 minutes until the popcorn stops popping. Let rest for one minute.

STEP 2

In a small bowl, combine all of the topping ingredients except the cheese.

STEP 3

Stir the butter into the hot popcorn to coat evenly. Then pour the seasoning on top and mix well. Add the cheese after all of the kernels are coated with ranch seasoning. Serve warm.

Ali Hedin  |  Ranch Popcorn for Super Bowl

Oscar Popcorn Party + the easiest popcorn bars
Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party

Watching the Oscars is so fun. So glamorous. So exciting to see who will win! I haven’t seen many of the movies - unless you count the animated series where I am literally rocking the category! It never seems to matter to me if I do know any of the movies; I love seeing the stars in their gowns, the beautiful jewelry, and all of the glitz.

When Pearl was three I had the Oscars on and she came and sat beside me. She was enamored with the same things I am - the glitz, the glamour, the spectacle. Practically one minute into it, she declared “I’m going to be up there one day.” Who knows if that will ever be true. But isn’t that what we all dreamed of as a little girl? Getting to walk a red carpet in a stunning, custom made gown, loaded with gorgeous jewels and drinking champagne?

It’s no movie star party without popcorn. All of the popcorn. I could literally make this my dinner. And I have - on occasion - made popcorn my dinner! This is the night to take popcorn up a notch with every mix-in you can find.

Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party
Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party
Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party
Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party

There’s a simple way to host this party - make a popcorn bar! You can even do this for just your little family - the kids will think it’s a real kick. If you’re making this for the kids, then choose toppings that they will like. But if you’re doing it for a crowd, you can get a little more interesting and daring. Unless your kids are daring? Mine are not. Mine would pick only the candy and nothing salty or savory, but I cannot recommend enough adding bacon bits. And wasabi peas. And toasted pecans. OMG they are so good!

Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party

Here’s the ultimate (and incomplete) list of popcorn mix-ins:

  • Mini Chocolate Chips

  • Toasted Pecans

  • Wasabi Peas

  • Bacon Bits

  • Rasinettes

  • Crumbled Butterfingers

  • Goldfish Crackers

  • M’n’M’s

  • Crushed Oreo Cookies

  • Mini Marshmallows

  • Parmesan Cheese

Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party

What movies are you rooting for? I’ve only seen a few so I’m not really in for the movies. I’m in for the popcorn and the gowns. Tell me how you celebrate! Are you a fancy gowns type party person or a sweat pants type person? Can’t wait to hear!

Ali Hedin | Easy Popcorn Oscar Party
Ali Hedin | Oscar Party &  Simple Popcorn Bars

EASIEST POPCORN BARS

These are basically like Rice Krispie Treats but with popcorn which makes them delicious and - in my opinion - better than your basic Rice Krispie Treat. Sprinkled with a little salt over the top they are EPIC. There are no tricks, no secrets, etc. It’s just easy.

4 tablespoons butter

10 ounces marshmallows

1/2 cup un-popped popcorn

STEP 1

In an air popper, pop the popcorn until totally popped. Let cool.

STEP 2

In a pan, melt together butter and marshmallows over medium heat until totally melted.

STEP 3

Combine the popped pop corn and the marshmallow mixture until totally coated. Spread in a greased 9x12 pan and pack in a little bit but don’t push too hard. You don’t want to break the popcorn. Let rest about 1 hour until cooled completely. Cut and serve.

 
Ali Hedin makes easy Popcorn Bars (+ recipe!)
 


Valentine Cocktail Party + 3 simple appetizer recipes
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party

There are so many options for how to spend Valentine’s Day, but a fun way to celebrate with all of your friends is with a simple cocktail party - after all, Valentine’s Day is on a Thursday this year! Instead of celebrating just as couples, invite everyone over for drinks and small bites and celebrate together. This is especially great if some of your group is ‘coupled up’ and some of your group isn’t. And the planner-ahead-ers can pop over before their dinner reservation!

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party

I have found when you’re hosting a party that the best thing you can do for appetizers is pick three good ones and go ALL IN! So be prepared to make tons of them because no one will dig into a partially empty buffet. I usually make one batch of each of these per every 10 people. But if you are cheese lovers, then maybe add a little more.

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Baked Camembert
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Baked Camembert
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Baked Camembert
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Baked Camembert

BAKED CAMEMBERT

1 wheel of camembert cheese

10 sprigs rosemary

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a bed of rosemary sprigs on a baking sheet and place the unwrapped wheel of cheese on top.

Bake 30-35 minutes until the cheese browns on top. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes.

Move the cheese to a serving dish and discard the cooked rosemary branches. Drizzle the top with honey and sprinkle with walnuts.

Serve with slices of bread or crackers.

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party

I found all of these serving platters at Anko - my new favorite obsession because everything is darling and really well priced. I picked up these pink platters because they’re pink but not PINK. I was friends with a guy who used to call PINK menopause pink because when he was growing up in the south, every woman around 50 years old remodeled her kitchen and added those pink appliances that were so hot for a while. It was the ‘60’s after all. Ever since then I have been super picky about my color pink. I DO NOT WANT menopause pink in my life.

These are not. These are awesome. There are dinner plates and bowls too.

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Pesto Gorgonzola
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Pesto Gorgonzola
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Pesto Gorgonzola

PESTO GORGONZOLA

Undoubtably the simplest appetizer you will ever make. Two ingredients; ten minutes; served hot or cold!

1/2 cup pesto

1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese

1 baguette, sliced

In bowl, mix together the pesto and gorgonzola until evenly mixed. Spread on the top of toasted bread. Toast again for 2-3 minutes in a broiler - or serve cold. Delicious either way.

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Candy Cocktail

CANDY COCKTAIL

1 packet grape poprocks

slice of lemon

1 tablespoon chambord

champagne

Rub the edge of a champagne coupe with the slice of lemon and rim with poprocks. Pour in chambord and top with champagne. Serve quickly!

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party | Candy Cocktail

I love combining new things with my collection of vintage barware. These champagne coupes are from the 1950’s and I adore them. I use them all the time because there is literally never a time when gold rimmed champagne coupes aren’t appropriate. If you can find some yourself, I highly encourage you to grab them! I set them on top of a marble board from Anko. I like to have everything grouped together - the marble is a great landing place for glassware ESPECIALLY if you have marble countertops. The slab creates a spot that’s unique but won’t damage your real marble counters in the event anyone spills.


Pin these for later!

Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party
Hedin Simple Valentine Cocktail Party

sweet & savory popcorn snack mixes
Ali Hedin | Oscar Popcorn Snack Mixes
Ali Hedin | Oscar Popcorn Snack Mixes
Ali Hedin | Oscar Popcorn Snack Mixes

TACO POPCORN SNACK MIX

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  

STEP 2

In a deep pan, mix together popcorn, pretzels, and goldfish crackers.  

STEP 3

Combine butter, spices, and hot sauce (to taste - spice it up!) and pour over the popcorn mixture. Toss to coat.

STEP 4

Bake 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.  Serve immediately or store in an airtight container up to one week. 

4 cups popcorn

3 cups pretzels

2 cups goldfish crackers

1/2 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons cumin

salt & pepper

hot sauce

Ali Hedin | Oscar Popcorn Snack Mixes
Ali Hedin | Oscar Popcorn Snack Mixes

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN MIX

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a deep pan mix together popcorn, pretzels and 1 cup of the marshmallows.

STEP 2

Mix together butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar.  Pour over the popcorn mixture and mix to coat. 

STEP 3

Bake 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.   Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining marshmallow, whoppers, and chocolate chips.  Let cool.  Serve immediately or store in an airtight container up to one week

4 cups popcorn

2 cups pretzels

2 cups mini marshmallows

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup whoppers

Ali Hedin | Popcorn Snack Mix
Ali Hedin | Popcorn Snack Mix

SHOP THE PARTY