Don't Party In The Kitchen

Christmas is only a little over 1 week away! And I have one question for you. How many holiday parties have you been to thus far? Is your calendar over flowing? Is your dance card full? Have you been to many already, with many still to come? Have you hosted any yet? Are you trying to plan one for next week, or maybe even New Year's Eve? Tis the season for parties, parties and more parties, and today I've got a great appetizer/party food your guests will love and will keep you in the party, not watching from the kitchen.

I love party foods; but I especially love those that I can either make ahead of time and have waiting on me, or those that can be assembled as needed, as the night goes on, so hungry guest can easily be satisfied, without me missing out on all the fun! 

Bruschetta is one of my favorite appetizers of all time, but this time I wanted to switch it up a little and make one featuring olives instead of tomatoes. And not just every day olives, but kalamata olives! They are a little fancier in my mind, and it is the holiday season after all! 

Your guests will love the crisp bread, briny olives, and the salty nutty flavor of the Parmesan. It's a fantastic twist on a traditional bruschetta everyone will find refreshing and unique. Plus, you can make the olive mixture, keep it chilling in the fridge and then just bake off more bread as you need it, topping tray after tray all night long!

Holiday parties are meant to be enjoyed by all, and that includes the host/hostess! No where is there a rule saying if you are the "hostess with the mostess" you have to be in the kitchen all night, making sure everyone else is fed and having a good time while you miss out. Enjoy all those parties over the next couple weeks, it will be a whole year until they are here again!

Olive Bruschetta

20-24 Slices French bread or baguette about 1/4" thick

1 c. kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

2 green onions, chopped

1 garlic clove, finely minced

2 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried parsley

1/4 c. olive oil, plus more for bread

1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Brush both sides of bread with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flip and bake 8-10 minutes more. (Watch carefully, these are times for my oven, but they can burn easily!)

In a medium bowl combine olive, garlic, green onions, basil, parsley, olive oil and cheese. Mix well. If not serving right away, chill. When bread is done, allow to cool. Top with olive mixture. Garnish with extra cheese.

Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 20, 2013

Appetizers at Very Good Recipes