Summer Appetizer Recipes

Summer parties are upon us and everyone is looking for easy summer appetizer recipes. As a hostess or a guest, preparing fresh, summer appetizers are an essential component of the entire event. There are so many seasonal fruits and vegetables available during the summer months, that finding summer appetizer ideas is easy and, best of all, fun to prepare.  We've compiled a list of our favorite summer appetizers that incorporate fresh foods and crowd-pleasing end results. 

Easy summer appetizers: 

Caprese Bites - Never a disappointment, these little salads on a stick are gobbled up fast. 

• 1 Package cherry tomatoes (at least 24), halved
• Mozzarella balls (found in deli aisle)
• Handful of basil sprigs
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Long toothpicks

Simply stack a tomato, mozzarella  ball and a sprig of basil on each toothpick, tomato first. Arrange on a flat platter and drizzle with vinegar and oil. Serve immediately. 

Spicy Goat Cheese Spread - Dips are perfect summer appetizers for parties, and this one is easily spread on flatbread or tortillas.

• 1 container (15 oz.) part-skim ricotta cheese, drained of water
• 8 oz. crumbled goat cheese
• 4 green chiles, chopped
• 2 tbsp. pine nuts, toasted
• 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a glass pie pan and set aside. Mash the cheeses together. Place peppers and pine nuts in a skillet and cook over medium heat with olive oil for a few minutes, until the nuts are browned. Mix into the cheese mixture and add red pepper. Place in pie pan and cook for 30 minutes until bubbling. Serve spread on flatbread or as a dip.

Peach and Brie Quesadillas - One of the many summer appetizer recipes involving fresh fruit, this is perfect for a hot summer day.

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp. honey
• 2 tsp. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 tsp. grated lime rind

Quesadillas:

• 1 cup fresh peaches, sliced and peeled
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 3 ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced
• 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• Cooking spray

Combine all the ingredients for the sauce and chill. Place peaches, chives and sugar in a bowl and mix. Place tortilla in warm skillet, coated with oil. Place a spoonful of peaches on one side and cheese on the other. Fold over and grill until browned on either side. Serve with the dipping sauce. 

Utilize all the fresh produce you can find this time of year and whip up something tasty and refreshing for those hot summer days.