When you just want to be with your friends, in an intimate space, and break bread together, there’s no better place than your own home. Sadly, a lot of people are NOT hosting dinner parties, or parties of any sort, largely due to the bar set by the images all over social media of Picture Perfect Parties. An entertaining paralysis sets in due to fear of under delivering.
I’m here to tell you, those shots are staged. Painstakingly arranged to capture a contrived moment of fake dining. Don’t get me wrong, everybody loves a lovingly set table. Knowing that your host or hostess took time from their life to create a place of beauty and comfort, for you to be in their home is a wonderful feeling. I love thinking about the details of an evening I’m planning but more important than the esthetics is that the evening actually happen.
Plan an evening with good friends. Let the comfort of your home wrap its arms around all of you and don’t fret about the food. There are tons of great pre-made appetizers for purchase. All you have to do is whip up a couple of homemade add-ons and your party will be as it should be – perfect.
A girlfriend of mine served these crackers at a party years ago. I’ve been making them ever since. They’re effortless to make and your guests will love them! I usually serve them off the baking sheet with some kind of dip that can be spooned on top. That way the sesame and fennel seeds end up in your tummy rather than all over the table.
EASY SESAME FENNEL CRACKERS slightly adapted from Martha Stewart.com
Makes 24 large crackers
Preheat oven 350*F
24 wonton wrappers
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Coarsely ground black pepper
THE STEPS:
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place wonton wrappers on prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Brush both sides of the wonton wrappers with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with the sesame seeds, fennel seeds, black sea salt and pepper.
- Press toppings in with the back of a spoon.
- Bake 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool on a rack.
- Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
THE LOVE: This recipe is very loosey-goosey. If you think that you need more of anything, feel free to use more! Also, make sure your wontons are separated. They’re tricky to get apart.
Thanks for reading.
Photography by Michelle Hooton
