Last updated on May 28th, 2024 at 11:03 am
It has happened to all of us. You are hosting a party at your house, and you were sure you had plenty of time to do all your cooking and get everything out on the table. So why does it always feel like a mad scramble? We love to entertain and it is easy to do in our neighborhood full of kids and families. I just got tired of always feeling like people were walking in the door, (even when they were the fashionably late, I-don’t-want-to-be-the-first-ones-there, 15 minutes after the party starts folks), and I was still pulling things out of the oven or stirring something on the stove.
What worked for me was to find a set of go-to party foods for large crowds that all of the prep can be done earlier in the day. Veggie-based appetizers are always a great vegetarian choice and you can’t forget dessert for the sweet tooth attending. When I lived in Dallas, I became OBSESSED with Nothing Bundt Cake’s Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Bundt cake. Through trial and error, I have figured out a home version since I am no longer in Dallas, but am still obsessed with this cake. The following recipes will please any crowd and keep you cool, calm, collected, and ready to answer the door without an oven mitt in hand.
Broccoli-Cheese & Turkey Pepperoni Pinwheels
Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels:
- 1 box of frozen Puff Pastry (2 sheets) – Pastry sheets need to be unwrapped and set on counter for thirty minutes to thaw before use.
- For Broccoli-Cheese:1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped broccoli, defrosted
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ T of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- 1 beaten egg white
What to do:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Microwave the broccoli according to directions on package and put in a large mixing bowl.
- Add cheese, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Roll or stretch the dough out to approximately 10 x 14 inches.
- Spread the mixture over roughly ¾ of the dough, leaving a short side without filling.
- Start to roll up from the short side until you have a log.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake before your party.
Turkey Pepperoni Pinwheels:
- 4 oz. of turkey pepperoni slices, minced or chopped very fine
- 3 tsp of Dijon mustard
- 1 T of honey½ cup of grated Asiago cheese
- 1 tsp of oregano
- Salt and pepper
- 1 beaten egg white
What to do:
- In a large bowl mix the cheese, honey, mustard, pepperoni, and all of your spices.
- Roll or stretch the dough out to approximately 10 x 14 inches and repeat by spreading mixture, rolling up and wrapping in plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator.
Baking:
When you are ready to bake each log, slice into equal pieces, approximately ½ wide. Lay flat on baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake 15 to 20 minutes until pastry is golden and cheese is melted. Depending on your oven size, how many ovens you have (single vs. double), and how long your oven takes to preheat, time your baking and these can pop out of the oven just as your guests arrive.
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Jessica Therivel has been married for 8 years to Laurent and is mom to twin girls who started kindergarten this fall. Now that she has some free time again, Jessica is freelance writing and running a photobook design business.
