Michael Landis
May 25, 20223 min
The summer entertaining is fast approaching along with the traditional kick off Memorial Day. Here’s a few simple and cheesy recipes to bring cool and refreshing bites for any occasion. I serve these with one of my favorite summer wines, the Chloe Pinot Grigio, a crisp and refreshing Italian wine that’s perfect for hot summer days.
BelGioioso Burrata
BelGioioso Mozzarella Cucumber Bites
Artichoke, Tomato and Vermont Creamery Goat Cheese Flatbread Bites
Vermont Creamery Vanilla Crème Fraiche & Strawberries
Athenos Feta & Watermelon Bites
BelGioioso Burrata
This fresh cheese resembles a Fresh Mozzarella ball, but when split open, you will be delighted to discover a rich-tasting soft filling of fresh pieces of Mozzarella soaked in heavy cream. This cheese offers a sweet, milky flavor that gently fills the palate. Made to order from fresh milk gathered daily from local farmers, each ball is hand-formed and packaged in water to ensure maximum freshness while maintaining shelf life.
Simple BelGioioso Burrata Appetizer
Ingredients
BelGioioso Burrata cheese
Crostini bread
Salt
Pepper
Piro Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions
Slice a serving of BelGioioso Burrata and place on a piece of toasted crostini bread. Top with salt, pepper and a dash of extra virgin olive oil.
BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella
Made from fresh, local milk gathered only a few hours after milking, BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella begins with quality ingredients and care. The result is a delicate, clean-flavored Fresh Mozzarella with a soft, porcelain
Fresh BelGioioso Mozzarella Cucumber Bites
Ingredients
1 cucumber
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
Champagne Tarragon Vinaigrette
BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella
For Champagne Tarragon Vinaigrette
1/4 cup champagne vinegar (or 1/3 cup white wine vinegar)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
Directions
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for vinaigrette and whisk until emulsified, add tomatoes and let marinade for at least 1 hour.
Slice the cucumber into 1/2 in. thick slices. Place on a serving tray. Top each cucumber slice with marinated tomatoes and place Fresh Mozzarella on top.
Artichoke, Tomato and Vermont Creamery Goat Cheese Flatbread Bites
This flatbread appetizer is perfect when you need entertain in a hurry!
Ingredients
1 box of Brewer’s Sea Salt Flatbread Crackers
2 Garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons Thyme minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 plum tomatoes thinly sliced and diced
8oz marinated artichoke hearts quartered and diced
4oz Vermont Creamery goat cheese crumbled
Directions
In a bowl combine garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper, marinade the chicken, then grill the chicken breast and shred. Drizzle with remaining olive oil mixture in a medium pan, warm up the mixture with the shredded chicken.
Lay out Flatbread and spread on the goat cheese, add the tomatoes, artichokes and the chicken mix on top.
Serve immediately.
Vermont Creamery Vanilla Crème Fraiche Berry Parfait
Ingredients
4oz Fresh blue berries
4oz Fresh raspberries, cut in half
4oz Fresh strawberries, cut in ¼ inch pieces 6
8oz Vermont Creamery Vanilla Crème Fraiche
4 Shot Glasses or small single serving size glasses
Directions
In a shot glass or small glass (single serving size)
Start with fruit.
Sprinkle a mixture of berries in a single layer in the bottom of each glass.
Add a layer of Crème Fraiche
Spoon dollops of the cream cheese on top of the fruit, to cover. Make sure the cream cheese shows on the side of the glass.
Add a second layer of berries.
Sprinkle another layer of berries on top of the cream. Make sure you can see the berries from the side of the glass.
Add a second layer of Crème Fraiche.
Spoon another layer of cream cheese mixture on top of the berries.
Add a third layer of berries.
Sprinkle a final layer of mixed berries over the top.
Add a third layer of Crème Fraiche.
Athenos Feta & Watermelon Bites
Inspired by a popular summer salad, these Watermelon And Feta Appetizer Bites are very easy to make and have the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Ingredients
8 oz block of Athenos Plain Feta, sliced in thin wedges
8 oz Fresh Watermelon, sliced in small thick wedges
Fresh mint to garnish
Balsamic Glaze as an option to drizzle on top.
Directions
Cut watermelon in thick single serving wedges
Cut feta in same shape in thin wedges
Place Athenos Feta on top of the watermelon, drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with mint. Serve cold.