Square Celebrations

Whether you are having an Oscar party this weekend, or will be having an anniversary or birthday party soon, or just want to add some pizazz to drinks with friends before a night out, today we’ve got some simple and easy to prepare hors d’ouvres that you and your guests are sure to enjoy 🙂  These are so easy to make and feel like a throw back to a time when gracious entertaining was the norm instead of the unusual.

There are three bite sized hors d’ouvres we want to share.

Seasoned Cream Cheese and Cucumber

Simple Chicken Salad with Fresh Tarragon

Smoked Salmon with Spicy Mustard and Fresh Dill drizzled with Honey

Start by using a small square cookie or biscuit cutter to cut little squares of white bread that will hold the yummy toppings.  Butter these little bread squares and place in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes or until they are crispy and the edges are golden brown.

Add toppings.

Chicken Salad – Using your fingers (the most important tool in your kitchen) shred left over roasted chicken and add enough good quality mayonnaise (we like Best Foods or Hellmans) to just moisten the chicken.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Place a spoon full on the toasts and top with a sprig of fresh tarragon.  (If fresh tarragon is not available at your market, stir some dried tarragon into the chicken salad along with the salt and pepper and top with a tiny bit of diced tomato or pimento for color.

Seasoned Cream Cheese and Cucumber – To an 8 oz package of cream cheese add 1/2 package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix and beat until smooth.  Spread liberally on the toasts.  Peel and thinly slice an English cucumber.  Place 1-2 slices of cucumber on top of the seasoned cream cheese.

Smoked Salmon with Spicy Mustard and Fresh Dill drizzled with Honey – Spread the toast thinly with spicy mustard (Dijon or Colemans are good choices).  Top with smoked salmon and add a sprig of fresh dill (no fresh dill available?…sprinkle with dried dill) Drizzle really lightly with honey.

If you don’t have time to make these delightful little buttery toasts, you can use Triscuits or Wheat Thins instead.  If you are gluten free or have guests who are, you can use a gluten free cracker.  This is a good one whether you are gluten free or not.

Now, add a fun beverage.  This peachy sparkling wine from Trader Joes was a hit at a recent gathering we had.

Whatever you serve, do it with flair and fun 🙂  Celebrations should always be served up with lots of love, plenty of joy and a gratitude for some very abundant living!