HOLIDAYS & PARTY FOOD
A Few of My Favorite Things
These celebratory dishes and party bites are some of my absolute favorite recipes to make. Whether you are hosting a crowd or planning a seasonal gathering, you will find all my go-to festive favorites right here.
From rich, blood-orange cakes to bite-sized eerie brownies, here are three crowd-pleasing recipes guaranteed to steal the show at your Halloween bash!
This amazing Blood Orange & Olive Oil Upside Down Cake is absolutely delicious! And all it takes to make it a Halloween party hit is a little extra glaze and some spooky toppings.
Homemade fudge over the holidays takes me back to childhood. My Aunt Joan makes this homemade fudge of various flavors. This year I made them with a Halloween twist for an upcoming party at work.
These Halloween Brownie Bites couldn’t be easier. Grab your favorite brownie mix and ready made frosting, along with some creepy Halloween toppings for your spooky party.
Nothing goes better with Sunday football than a table full of incredible bites. In this edition, I’ve rounded up my favorite game-day recipes, including savory smashed meatball sliders, crispy air-fried wings, and vibrant street corn pops.
Last weekend in Tahoe was so much fun! I created a spread of easy grilled appetizers, and we spent the evening sipping wine and catching up. Here are the bite-sized recipes I served!
Tender asparagus meets crispy, savory prosciutto in these quick-grilled spears—finished with fresh Parmesan for a fast, crowd-pleasing starter.
Perfectly seared flank steak rests on a tangy blue cheese spread, finished with a spoonful of sweet, warm balsamic onion jam over grilled baguette slices. It’s an effortless dish that brings bistro style to your grill party!
Bright, smoky, and zesty—these grilled shrimp skewers are basically summer on a stick. Paired with a cool, tangy lime sauce, they come together fast enough for a weeknight, but look fancy enough to trick your guests into thinking you spent hours over the grill.
Caramelized on the grill and sprinkled with cinnamon brown sugar, these warm grilled pears are topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It's an effortless, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels straight out of a bistro!
Slathered in tangy cream, rolled in crumbled cotija, and dusted with chili lime spice, these Grilled Mexican Street Corn Pops deliver a maximum crowd-pleasing crunch that makes standard corn on the cob feel completely boring.
The heat from the grill caramelizes the plums' natural sugars, while a cool dollop of whipped balsamic goat cheese cream balances every warm, juicy bite.
This quesadilla sandwich is simple, satisfying, and a little reminiscent of a Cubano sandwich. Browning the ham adds a little depth, and the mix of tomatoes, pickles, onion, and Swiss gives it a bright, savory balance that works well. A quick drizzle of Chipotle Ranch on the inside pulls everything together. It’s an easy, no‑fuss meal that works for lunch or dinner.
These Dixie Rib Rub Chicken Wings give the nicest heat and paired with a Chipotle Ranch Dip — they’re off the charts!
If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert this weekend, these 4th of July Easy No-Bake Mini Trifles are it. Oh and these trifles are super easy to make!
I love these Heavenly Raspberry Mousse Cups! They are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any party, but especially an outdoor summer party. They strike the perfect balance between tart berry flavor and rich, velvety cream, all while looking stunning in individual dessert cups.
With just four ingredients and fifteen minutes, these Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus bundles are simply delectable. Tender-crisp, roasted asparagus enveloped in a delicate blanket of salty prosciutto, finished with a sprinkle of freshly grated, nutty Parmesan. It is elegant, uncomplicated, and guaranteed to elevate any casual night.
Some salads are just here for the greens, but this one shows up with full Easter energy. It’s bright, fresh, a little indulgent, and built around the most classic spring duo of all time: ham and eggs. (Pancetta totally counts — it’s the chic, brunch‑appropriate cousin.)
Need to bring a party appetizer but don't have a lot of time for complicated cooking? This skewered version of a Caprese salad is always a party hit and it's so easy.
Today, my local grocer had fresh, sashimi grade tuna and ripe avocados. I took that as a sign to make this appetizer. And I love these steel martini glasses. They make such a great little bowl!
Delecticious joined Wine Hardware and McGrail Vineyards for this year’s Taste & Toast event, hosted by the Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12, in downtown Walnut Creek, California. Dozens of local food and wine establishments participated, making it a vibrant, community‑filled night.
Sometimes the smallest twist can make a classic feel brand new, and that’s exactly what happens when you give romaine a quick sear. A little heat softens the edges, adds a hint of smokiness, and turns an everyday Caesar into something a bit more fun. You can do it right in a skillet, or take it outside and grill the romaine instead — perfect as we head into grilling season.
The key to great guacamole is fresh ingredients — ripe avocados, lime, a little heat, crunchy onions. This is what you want when you’re craving guac that tastes like it was made right at the table.
Sometimes you just want a wedge salad you can actually hold. This wrap takes all the crunchy, creamy, bacon‑loaded goodness of the classic and tucks it into a warm tortilla for the easiest little handheld upgrade. It’s fun and it hits all the wedge‑salad notes in any easy wrap. A total win for lunch.
These Mini Baked Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Smoked Salmon are tiny flavor bombs—creamy, smoky, salty, herby, and totally addictive. They’re perfect for brunch boards, cocktail parties, or any moment when you want something deliciously extra.
Sometimes you just want pizza… without actually making pizza or ordering it. That’s where this Margherita Baguette Pizza comes in and totally saves the day. It’s crispy, melty, tomato‑y, and honestly a little over‑the‑top delicious for something this easy.
These Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are a total game-changer, using a secret ingredient to get that "oven-fried" blistered skin we all crave. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or a quick low-carb dinner, these wings deliver a zesty punch that will have everyone reaching for more.
Is there any appetizer more nostalgic than a classic deviled egg? They are the quintessential party snack, but today we’re giving this vintage favorite a sophisticated, bold makeover.

These Warm Brie & Tomato Confit Crostini are pure comfort in a single bite. Simple enough for cozy nights in and chic enough for wine night with friends, this bistro-worthy appetizer comes together in minutes. Grab a glass of your favorite white wine, and let’s get cooking!