Aperol Spritz Recipe and 3 Delicious Appetizers to go with it

Weekend is almost here, sun is shining, pollen count is going down... Perfect time to sit outside, sip an Aperol Spritz, have a few small appetizers and enjoy the afternoon with friends or family. I am not a cocktail expert, but I do have a few favorites, and Aperol Spritz tops that list. I have also added 3 simple appetizer ideas and recipes below to make the weekend entertainment and hosting easy and fun. Below you have the recipes for:

1. Aperol Spritz

2. Smashed potatoes / oven potato chips with sour cream sauce

3. Grilled artichoke toasts

4. Individual cheese and veggie platters

Let's Start with the Aperol Spritz recipe:

Aperol Spritz recipe

Ingredients:

• Equal parts Aperol and Prosecco (I use champagne glass for measure).

• splash of soda (1/3 glass of the above champagne glass)

• 1 slice of orange

Stir it all with a straw and enjoy! here is a link to a fun video recipe.

Appetizer No 1 - Smashed potatoes or Oven baked potato chips with creamy sauce

Creamy sauce for both recipes:

• 1 cup of whole milk Greek yogurt or sour cream

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1tsp salt,

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Whisk everything together and serve with your choice of smashed potatoes or potato chips.

Smashed potatoes with fresh dill

Ingredients for smashed potatoes:

• 1-2 pounds small multi-colored potatoes

• Salt

• Oil

• Dill - chopped

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Rinse and scrub potatoes well and place them in a pot, fill up with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil on a stove top, no lid. Cook until fork tender, about 12-15 minutes. Remove water, and let cool a bit.

2. Place potatoes on a cutting board and with the bottom of a measuring cup or flat bottom glass, smash each potato gently to 1/3 inch thick.

3. Oil the baking sheet and move the potatoes. Brush with more oil on top, sprinkle with salt and roast for about 40 minutes, flipping half way through, until they are crispy and nice golden color.

4. Sprinkle with fresh chopped dill and serve with creamy sauce.

Oven baked potato chips

Oven Baked Potato Chips

Ingredients:

• 1 pounds gold potatoes

• Oil

• Salt

Preheat oven to 400F. Wash, scrub potatoes well, then thinly sliced them, don’t peel. Mix in a bowl with cooking olive oil and line on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 35-40 min. If they are not crispy and golden enough, broil on high for another 4-5 minutes for that nice color.

Appetizer No 2 - Grilled Artichoke Toasts

Grilled Artichoke Toasts with Brie

Ingredients:

• Fresh small baguette sliced

• Garlic infused olive oil

• Brie sliced in small pieces

• Jarred artichokes, sliced (Note: I have tried with tapa style artichokes and they don't turn out as good, jarred ones are better!)

1. Preheat oven to 350f and bake garlic oil drizzled baguette slices for 10 minutes.

2. Once a little crispy, take out and place individually Brie cheese and artichokes, and bake for another 10 minutes.

3. Voila! Enjoy with the Aperol Spritz mentioned above :)

Appetizer No 3 - Individual Cheese and Veggie Platters

Cheese Mini Platters with Veggies

Ingredients - you can pick and choose your favorite cheeses or charcuterie, but here is what I included:

• Manchego cheese

• Mini Brie

• Prosciutto

• Salami slices

• Dill pickles

• Rosemary crackers

• Multi grain bread

• Veggies with creamy sauce: sour cream, garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika.

Ta-da, weekend hosting table is set!!!