(ARA) – Casual, laid back dining with family and friends is definitely a must for outdoor gatherings and what’s more relaxed than a utensil-free feast? Think beyond burgers, and serve up some party favorites that work well without a fork and knife. Great tasting finger foods, like bruschetta, dips and quesadillas, can make backyard bashes easy, fun and flavorful.
Here are some other ways to make sure your backyard bash is the talk of the neighborhood.
* Shake it up – You can shake up the flavor of any dish with a spice blend like OLD BAY Seasoning. Try it on main dishes, sides and salads for a bold, unexpected twist.
* Bite size – Since there are no knives needed, think about making smaller versions of the typical recipe. For instance, sliders are a big hit for both parents and kids and you can add all types of fun toppings and flavors.
* It’s a wrap – One way to make the tired old sandwich into a hit for the party is to turn it into a wrap. You can cut them into slices and serve them as small pinwheels that guests can munch on without a mess.
Here are three tasty dishes to try at your next “fork free” party:
Zesty Shrimp Bruschetta
Ingredients:
1 pound cooked shrimp, finely chopped
1 plum tomato, finely chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
1 egg white
2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 loaf French bread
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Mix the shrimp, tomato, green onion, olive oil, egg white, Old Bay Seasoning and garlic powder in a medium bowl until blended.
Slice the bread into 24 (1/2-inch thick) slices. Place on a baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted on both sides. Spread lightly with mayo, then spoon the shrimp mixture evenly over the bread slices. Bake for eight to 10 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.
Party Dip (with a zip)
Ingredients:
1 pint (16 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
Assorted cut-up fresh vegetables, crackers and/or chips
Directions:
In a medium bowl, blend sour cream, mayo, green onions and Old Bay Seasoning, then cover.
Refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour, and then serve with crunchy, fresh crudités, assorted crackers and/or chips.
Southwestern Shrimp Quesadillas
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons oil
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon Old Bay 30 Percent Less Sodium Seasoning
6 flour tortillas (8-inch)
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 avocado, sliced
sour cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400F. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high. Add shrimp, peppers, green onions and Old Bay Seasoning. Cook and stir four to five minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink.
Place three tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread them with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese, then top with a second tortilla. Bake for five minutes or just until the cheese melts. Cut each quesadilla into four wedges and serve with avocado slices and sour cream.
You can find more fun, utensil-free party recipes at www.oldbay.com.
