Thanks for joining me in my “30 Days of Summer Entertaining” series. (Scroll down to the bottom for the previous posts in this series) 
Appetizers for summer entertaining are so easy.
All you need is fresh fruit, cheese, and nuts. You can mix and match according to what’s in season.
Nuts to keep on-hand:
Walnuts
Pecans
Pistachios
AlmondsCheeses to keep on-hand:
Goat cheese
Dubliner Cheese
Your favorite flavor of cheese (preferences can really vary)
My sisters and I were heading out to a near-by restaurant for a birthday celebration, but they came to my house an hour early, so I whipped up an easy appetizer. What did I have on hand? Fruit, nuts, cheese.
But more importantly, I really love sister-time. It’s just really good to talk and catch up on life. I’m very grateful for these two beautiful women in my life.
Now on to summer-entertaining and my oh-so-easy appetizer. It’s light and easy, fresh and beautiful.
Apricots and Goat Cheese Bites
(Makes about 20 bites. I always double the recipe.)2 oz. goat cheese at room temperature
1 tsp. milk or cream
20 dried apricots (preferably from Trader Joe’s for the best flavor and tartness)
20 almonds
1-2 tsp. honey
Mix together the cheese and the milk to make it spreadable.
Toast almonds in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Lay the apricots on a platter or tray with a small amount of cheese on each piece.
Top with one warm almond on each apricot.
Drizzle with honey.
If you’re taking to a party, wait until you get to the party to drizzle the honey. I made the mistake of drizzling ahead of time and they got a bit soggy.
The tanginess-to-sweetness is a perfect combination.
My sisters and I munched on a few of these before we headed out.
Have I told you how much I love sister time?
What’s your favorite fruit/cheese/nut combination for an appetizer?
If you’ve missed the last 12 days of this series, you can catch up now:
Day 1: Summer Entertaining is About the People
Day 2: When Perfect Robs You of Something Good
Day 3: Who To Invite to Dinner
Day 4: Planning the Menu for Outdoor Entertaining
Day 5: Setting the Table Using What You Have
Day 6: Using One Classic Water Glass
Day 7: Napkin Options for Summer Entertaining
Day 8: When You Feel Like Canceling the Party
Day 9: Leave Your Technology at the Front Door
Day 10: Candles That Enhance Good Conversation
Day 11: Serving Flavored Herb and Fruit Water
Day 12: Leafy Greens and a Tiny Bit of Agave
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Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
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oh my word – those ‘bites’ look incredible…i’d probably eat the entire tray!
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Kirstin Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Me too! I thought the same thing…I’d just eat them all!!
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I especially love slices of extra-sharp or pepper-jack cheese on fun crackers, served with clusters of grapes!
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What a special time with your sisters!
Brie, cranberries and pecans.
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Great party appetizer! You are all gorgeous!
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I love sister time too! You and your sissa’s are lovely!
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Oh Sandy! How divine! These are some of my favorite things separately, I’ll bet magic happens when they’re all combined
. Thanks for sharing this easy, and perfect-to-keep-on-hand idea!
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Mmmmmm, that looks so good! I love fruit and cheese. Not picky and love to try new things. This is definitely on the list for our next one! I wish we had a Trader Joes. I read about so many wonderful things from there.
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Great idea! I’m definitely going to make it.
One of our fav’s is a wedge of havarti cut into 3 or 4 thin wedges fanned out on a pretty plate.
Combine lime marmalade with a few drops of tabasco & warm it in the microwave just a little till softened. Drizzle it over the havarti. Sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts (or other nuts) & chopped cilantro. Garnish with lime wedges & cilantro sprigs. Serve with crackers.
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Kirstin Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
That sounds amazing
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What a great idea for a quick spread Sandy! I usually have this on hand, I have to remember this next time a last minute get together “happens” (my favorite kind)
Love the pic of you and your sisters! You are beautiful women!
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Yum! I have everything I need to make these lovely looking apps. – even the Trader Joe’s dried apricots (our favorite!). Thanks for this lovely 30 Days of Summer Entertaining, it’s so full of wonderful information.
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Those sound yummy! Can’t wait to try. Made the Pineapple/Black Bean Salsa I found on your site last summer and it’s a hit every time!
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This sounds delicious! Definitely picking up goat cheese to try it!
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I made these last night for tonight’s dinner guests, I tried one and they are delicious. I love goat cheese and it’s a great complement to the apricots, the almond is just a wonderful, salty bonus. Yum! Thanks for this quick and easy idea, I can’t wait to serve them.
By the way I’ll be linking back to your site, I hope that’s okay. Thanks again!
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I don’t think I’ve ever served an appetizer with fruit, nuts and cheese, but this one looks like a winner
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I made this for a double baby shower which we also invited all the husbands and children to. It was complete wonderful chaos. And the HUSBANDS loved this and cleaned the platter! I was thrilled! Thanks for the recipe!
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I do consider all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for beginners. May you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.
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