New appetizers to test out

I want to be more capable in hosting yoga events.  I have a wheelhouse of appetizers that I feel confident making.  I know they are crowd pleasers, and I enjoy them.  That being said, I want to change it up.  I do not feel comfortable only offering the same snacks.  I looked at IG for inspiration.  Started my quest with seasonal appetizers.  Of course, squash popped up.  I have tried a squash salad in the past and it was popular.  This one relied on parmesan cheese and a lemon vinaigrette.  I added chives, basil and mint which helped the freshness factor.  Worked out really well.  I do not have a mandolin to slice the squash consistently, but my peeler works well. 

I like offering charcuterie but in a non-traditional way.  I have offered charcuterie in a mason jar with sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic stuffed olives.  This time, I created skewers with bowtie pasta.  A slight change to a crowd pleaser and topped with hot honey.  The hot honey was a wonderful addition to the dish.  Terrific flavor.

The final appetizer was whipped feta with honey.  Definitely the star of the show.  I incorporated cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt (instead of sour cream) and a block of feta.  As I do not have a food processor, I was forced to rely on elbow grease.  In my mind, my grandmother and mother managed to create dishes without gadgets or appliances.  I could make this dip creamy myself.  I made it on Monday evening allowing an overnight for the dip to marinate.  It was delicious.  I think most were surprised by how much they enjoyed it.  

I try to balance richness with some light.  I did not want to go too heavy with the post session snacks.  We need healthy snacks to re-fuel the body.  Of course, there was wine and tequila.  That has not changed since I began the Detox to Retox yoga classes.  I love them.  They continue to build momentum.  Started out at a spot on Colfax.  I loved the vibe of the space but eventually moved to a jazzercise studio.  I miss the kitchenette of the initial space, but the focus is yoga.  The jazzercise studio has more space for yoga and better parking.  Especially now that there is road construction on Colfax.  It has been a mess and a daily irritation for me to navigate my commute.  I tend to walk more to avoid the hassle of driving and dealing with other drivers.

I am trying to my hand at gardening this year. Carrots, squash, cucumbers, bell peppers, beets and a few herbs.  There is a gardening plot that my neighbor secured for us to use.  He is growing corn, cantaloupe, peppers and some other items.  He tilled the soil and made it available to use.  I figure why not test out my green thumb?

I am attempting indoor ginger, too.  I have not been juicing for the last few months and found a small piece of ginger that I had overlooked.  The eyes of the ginger are ripe to root and grow new pieces.  I am curious as to how this will work out.  I want to do more domestic to diminish my needing to go grocery shopping.  I am too reliant on convenience instead of homegrown foods.  At least I would know where it came from, how it was treated and enjoy the fresh taste.

Next month, new snacks.  I might add them to my page and here.  I want to continue to grow and learn.  Diversify my skillset.  If you have suggestions, let me know.