Summer Party Nibbles
easy recipes for fresh, festive bites
As we roll into summer, I’d like to share some of my go-to party recipes for the season. Whether you are having a casual get together on your porch or in your back yard, pulling together a picnic or pool party, or contributing to a pot-luck, these nibbles check all the boxes. They are so beautiful and festive they are sure to elicit ooohs and ahhhs; they are packed with the brilliant color and fresh flavors of the best seasonal produce; and they are easy to pull together. I hope you enjoy! Happy summer!
Watermelon with Herbed Goat Cheese Whip
Photo by Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post
Here’s a delightful nibble to pop in your mouth as your sip your rosé. This refreshing finger food makes the most of watermelon’s affinity with soft, fresh goat cheese. The two not only look contrastingly beautiful together, the creamy, slightly salty chevre amplifies the fruit’s sweet juiciness.
The watermelon is cut into bite-size squares — an upgrade from a cracker delivery system — and topped with whipped goat cheese that is flecked with chopped fresh herbs and a sprinkle of lemon zest. The finishing touches of a honey-lemon dressing, flaky sea salt and shower of chopped basil bridge the sweet-savory elements in each bite. Served as a snack or appetizer, it’s a treat you can add to the list of summer’s many simple pleasures.
Ceviche-Style Shrimp Cocktail
Photo: Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post
This recipe riffs on the traditional citrus-marinated seafood dish with a crunch of cucumber, and sweet, juicy green grapes tossed with the usual cilantro, onion, and jalapeño flavor trio. Using cooked, chilled shrimp rather than raw fish, gives it a shrimp-cocktail vibe, and makes it more convenient from a food safety perspective. Served in a chilled glass, with cool hues of green, pale pink and white it’s a delightfully fresh and light but satisfying dish that’s sure to spark your appetite on a sweltering day.
Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups with White Beans & Arugula
Photo by Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post
Here, grilled zucchini is served up in an exciting new way: Rolled into bite-size bundles filled with lemon and garlic-seasoned mashed white beans, peppery arugula and floral basil. Light and fresh, the roll-ups taste of summer and are filled with garden flavors. With the substance of creamy beans, you can savor them as a snack, starter or as a spread of small plates.