Tag mini gyros

Parties That Cook’s Top Ten Summer Appetizer Recipes

1 comment By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Entertaining, Menus & Recipes Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , June 14th, 2012 @ 12:47 pm

Summer’s finally here! Parties That Cook is so excited to pull out our grills and host a barbecue (or ten)! We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite summer appetizer recipes, and now we’re putting you to work. Whip up any combination of these tasty bites and bask in the glory of being the Host with the Most. Throwing a summer party can be stressful (to say the least) but with these 10 simple appetizer recipes in your back pocket, you’re off on the right foot!

Little Fish Tacos with Tomato Salad and Chipotle-Lime Crema

If you love fresh (and easy!) seafood, we’ve got just the right dish for you. Our fish tacos are a fresh way to spice up any summer get-together. Fresh cilantro will give these tacos the little kick your fiesta needs to get started!

Cornbread Tartlets with Ricotta and Tomatoes

Cornbread can be more than just a side! Add fresh tomatoes and ricotta to a classic cornbread recipe, and you’ve got a whole new dish! With a pinch of fresh cilantro, these tartlets will knock you off your feet.

Zucchini Pancakes with Feta, Capers and Mint

Pancakes for an appetizer? Why, yes! These savory mini pancakes are far from your boring typical breakfast pancake. Zucchini adds just the touch of color your summer soiree needs. Top this delicious dish with yogurt and mint to bring out fresh flavors that scream summer!

Crostini “Caprese” with Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Chocolate Balsamic Reduction

Who said chocolate was only for dessert? Add fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and garlic bread, and you’ve got one delicious appetizer. Fresh tomatoes are a summer staple, so be sure to grab some at your local farmer’s market! We recommend a baguette for the crostini but you can experiment with your favorite bread.

Mini Gyro Pita Pockets with Grilled Lamb and Tzatziki Sauce

Take a summer trip to Greece, or just have a gyro! These scrumptious appetizers are light enough not to ruin an appetite, but satisfying enough to hold you over for the main course. We made ours with Lamb so they’re tender and packed with loads of flavor, but you can easily substitute the meat of your choice.

Barbecued Oysters On The Half Shell

Oysters are an easy (and fast) way to offer guests an amazingly fresh appetizer. Raw oysters might scare off some guests, but barbecuing means everyone at the party can enjoy the delicious flavors.

Griddled Corn Cakes with Bacon and Sour Cream

The best things in life are topped with sour cream and sprinkled with bacon (YUM). Standing in at 2”, these little fellas bring more to the table than one of summer’s most popular ingredients formerly (and currently) known as Corn.

Bacon-Wrapped Peaches with Blue Cheese and Balsamic-Honey Glaze

Peaches wrapped in bacon. Need we say more? When Sweet and Savory battle it out in one dish, we all win. (Seriously, who doesn’t love bacon!?) With this great combination of flavors your guests (and the cheese) will melt for another taste.

Lamb Skewers with Mint Pesto

What’s more perfect for summer than skewers?? These tender lovin’ lamb skewers are a great start to any summer bash. Kick off your next party with fresh Mint Pesto!

Guacamole with Nectarines and Corn

Feeling festive this summer? Throw on a sombrero, an apron, and whip up our delicious seasonal Guacamole with a twist! Fresh nectarines help this classic Mexican dish stand above the rest. Good luck sharing!

Parties That Cook’s Back-to-School Recipe: Mini Gyros Pita Pockets

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Menus & Recipes Tagged with , , , , , August 25th, 2011 @ 3:27 pm

You’ve seen the commercials. It’s about that time again. The kids are going back to school. Things are only going to get busier as sports seasons, dance classes and music lessons begin. Spice up dinner and simplify your evening with an effortless yet deliciously satisfying meal that saves the day! This recipe for Mini Gyros Pita Pockets with Tatziki Sauce is a great way to get the kids involved (they can mix the sauce AND assemble the pockets). Go ahead. Be a hero.

You can find these pita pockets featured at our next Date Night Couples Cooking Classes in San Francisco and Chicago, and at Sizzle & Swirl in Seattle. Trust me, you need a night off…

Mini Gyros Pita Pockets with Tatziki Sauce
This recipe can also be found in our Appetizer Recipe Library

Ingredients
Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated and drained (squeeze all of the water out)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon white-wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Lamb:
3 pounds leg of lamb, boneless
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
15 mini pitas (about 3 inches in diameter)
2 lemons, cut into wedges for garnish

Aluminum foil
Canola oil for grilling

Methods/Steps
Preheat oven to 300°F.

Grate Cucumber: Peel and seed the cucumber. Grate the cucumber then place into a colander with a pinch of salt. Let sit 15 minutes then squeeze out all of the excess water.

Prepare Aromatics: Mince the garlic and place into a medium bowl with the grated cucumber. Zest the lemon and chop the dill. Add to the bowl.

Finish Sauce: Add the yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to the bowl of cucumber and aromatics. Mix everything well. Let the sauce sit for 10 minutes for flavors to blend. Transfer to a small serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill.

Prep Lamb: Trim lamb of excess fat and silver skin. Slice meat into 1-inch slices. Transfer lamb to a bowl and add the olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Grill Lamb: Heat a ridged grill pan over medium heat. Once grill is hot, brush with canola oil. Grill lamb slices on both sides until cooked through, about 3 minutes a side. Let lamb rest for a few minutes.

Prepare Pitas: While lamb is grilling, cut the pitas in half. Wrap pitas in foil and warm in the oven for 10 minutes.

Slice Lamb: Cut the slices of grilled lamb into thin strips and place into warm pita.

Serve: Arrange warm gyros on a platter with the bowl of tzatziki. Garnish with dill and lemon wedges.

Serves/Makes
Makes 30

Recipe created by Parties That Cook®  www.PartiesThatCook.com.