With clothing on the skimpier end of the spectrum, you definitely want to be watching what you eat. So, I’ve made a simple list of Hobnob’s best recipes for eating well. Serve these up at your next gathering and your friends will thank you for your sensitivity—and creativity.
Let’s start with recipes from my 4th of July Party Plan:
Cool Off with a Not-So-Typical Gazpacho: Grilled Mango Tomato When it’s hot out, cold soups seem so appealing. And traditional gazpacho, with tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, and garlic really helps in the cooling off process. I decided to throw in some grilled mangoes to show off their tanginess in this not-so-typical gazpacho.
Summer Light Eating: Red Snapper with Apple Fennel Slaw Ooh, there’s nothing like the texture and beauty of a good red snapper. In this dish I quick fried the red snapper with skin on to showcase its extra moistness and provide a pretty plating opportunity. Your summer light eating plan starts here.
Some ideas from Hosting Weekend Guests Party Plan:
Grilled Vegetable Napoleon—the Ultimate Pairing with Charcuterie As a guest, it’s so nice to arrive at someone’s home and have a gourmet treat awaiting. That’s why I suggest you serve these enticing Vegetable Napoleon stacks to wow your guests right off the bat. Pair with charcuterie, fresh mozzarella, olives, and crusty bread—and a decanted bottle of wine—for the full effect.
Taco Bar: Smoky Paprika Blackened Grouper with Peach Salsa and Arugula Fish tacos come as a welcome addition to a summer barbecue. We’ve spiced these up with a smoky mix, which will make a total splash on your Taco Bar.
Taco Bar: Grilled BBQ Chicken Strips with Colorful Slaw and Jalapeño Accents This is probably the easiest way to infuse BBQ flavors into chicken—and then parlay into a taco as grilled BBQ chicken strips.
Taco Bar Vegetarian: Baked Peppery Sweet Potato Strips Vegetarians, we did not forget you in the planning of this spectacular Taco Bar ensemble. We crisped up some sweet potatoes in a spicy mix to start as a base for a most unusual and delicious taco.
From the Latin Fiesta Party Plan:
Cooking with a Banana Leaf: Cod in Aji Criollo Sauce Wrap your fish in a perfect little natural packet. It may seem an intimidating prospect to accomplish, but the process is fairly simple—just cut and fold.
Somewhat Hot: Creative Quinoa Veggie Stuffed Poblanos In this creative quinoa small bite, the stuffing gets mixed with fresh veggies for a healthy treat—with a spicy kick. Definitely serve this dish to those who prefer a bit of fire on their tastebuds.
From my plan for creating a Rainbow of Food:
Add Surprising Color to Chicken Tacos with Green Harissa Now here’s a recipe that turns chicken tacos on its head. We came up with an all-green recipe to factor into our Rainbow Menu perfect for a gay pride party, St Patrick’s Day, or just for fun. The herbal harissa adds great flavor, in addition to the vibrant color.
Raw Party Dip: Zucchini and Cauliflower Curry It’s a vegan raw party dip—and absolutely delicious, with a touch of sweetness from oranges and a creaminess from avocado.
From the Stripes Summer Fare Party Plan:
Lemony Oregano Fish Skewers: a Super Summer Grilling Favorite Grilled fish and lemon go handsomely together. This dish will work perfectly in your summer grilling menu.
A Healthy, Refreshing Summer Salad: Raita in a Cucumber Cup We’ve taken traditional raita, a mix of yogurt, cucumbers, some heat and spices, and placed it into a cute little cucumber cup—making for a hydrating, refreshing summer treat.
Show Your Stripes—in a Colorful Vegetable Ribbon Tart The trick to making this beautiful vegetable ribbon tart is getting the veggies sliced very thin, and alternating the colors. You can go as crazy as you like with the decoration, with swirls and concentric circles, but I like an abstract, orderly stripe.
From my Greek Food and Wine Party Plan:
Grilled Cheese Greek Style: Halloumi Appetizer with Honey-Lime Syrup Halloumi is a magical cheese that will not melt, even on a grill pan. It manages to keep its shape, and only softens a bit over high heat, releasing more flavor when hot. This pretty one-bite Halloumi appetizer combines cheese with a salty charcuterie.
Tangy Filling: Grilled Eggplant Slices Stuffed with Herbed Feta In traditional Greek fashion, this recipe is simple and highlights only the best ingredients. Grilled eggplant’s sultry flavor is enhance with a feta cheese tinged with herbs.
Party Food for a Scorcher: Cod with Zesty Greek Yogurt in Lettuce Wraps An extra light dish is THE way to serve party food for a scorcher, and we know our summers are now full of those extra hot days. Cod in the recipe is served alongside a cool yogurt, with the addition of fresh herbs and served on lettuce leaves.
Vegan Appetizer: Roasted Artichoke Hearts with Black Pepper-Lemon Dipping Sauce Look no further for a fantastic vegan appetizer. These roasted and breaded artichoke hearts get treated to a lively dip—and the flavors in this dipping sauce will knock your socks off.
See More Recipes on Hobnob’s Pinterest Page
If you are looking for more sophisticated and healthy recipes for entertaining, head to our latest Pinterest Board: Light Summer Dishes. You’ll see lots of cold soups, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and stuff to grill. That oughta keep you supplied all summer long.
