jump for joy

resurrecting  the cocktail party- i’ll drink to that

Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Eating Out, Posted on August 17, 2011 by Sandy Bergsten

No more Yogi Berra and his deja vu all over again. The deal is done, title transferred, money is in the bank- no small feat considering it was a cash deal from an Italian bank.

Time to give thanks. After the big guy upstairs, a shout out needs to go to my real estate agents. Feels like we’ve been on an epic session of speed dating.

In this economy there are no small gestures. And a special one needs to go to my realty guys. Dayton has many treasures. One that travels extremely well is Jump’s Gourmet Peanuts. I’m not sure what “almonizing” means but the result is one addictive peanut. They are my go-to out-of-Dayton hostess gift. While the recipients might initially think “wow-great-peanuts” after they pop that first crispy crunchy one in their mouth they are clamoring to know where I got them. With new hometown pride I reply- Dayton.

jumps peanuts

With this seemingly endless and all-consuming project behind me it’s time to celebrate with a wonderful couple that were actually our first Dayton friends. Amazing cooks themselves and equally consumed with work, travel and grown children we opted to go out to the newly relocated Meadowlark Restaurant. Besides having what I think is by far the best food in Dayton they are now approximately 500 yards from our house. And while they don’t take reservations for small parties they do allow you to call in to be placed on the waiting list. Why wait at their bar when ours is only feet away.

And because a cocktail needs a canapé- here is an embarrassingly easy one. It’s an effortless take on the cheese puff.

jarlesburg cheese dip

Most high-end grocery stores have an array of freshly prepared salads and dips. Look for their jarlsberg cheese dip. While it is essentially grated cheese, chopped onion or shallot and mayo- why bother when it’s ready for the taking- or in this case the baking.

toasts

Find a quality croute. Larzaroni Bruscette makes a great little toast. Simply top with the cheese spread.

cheese canape

Place on a cookie sheet covered with foil (because then clean-up is a throw away) and broil on the middle rack of your oven until bubbly (it’ll take a couple minutes but they won’t burn unevenly like they would if you put them on the top rack).

cheese canape

As fast as you can call in your reservation you have a hot little nibble. Who won’t toast to that.

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