Simple Appetizers for Your Next Zoom Party

Attending another Zoom party this weekend – why not celebrate with your own Zoom party appetizers? Dip, taste, snack, and savor delicious bites while you catch up with friends, family, and coworkers.

No matter what the occasion, appetizers can make everything better. Not sure where to start?

Check out these 5 fun appetizers you can make at home quickly!

1. Caprese Skewers

All you’ll need for this simple appetizer is cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, balsamic glaze, and wooden skewers. Assemble the skewers starting with tomato, then basil, then mozzarella cheese – and repeat. When you’re done top it off with a drizzle of balsamic.

This is sure to be one of your new go-to Zoom party appetizers!

2. Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip

This ooey, gooey dip is at the top of the easy appetizers list because it’s delicious and simple. Whether it’s a New Year’s Eve bash or a Friday happy hour, this appetizer will not disappoint. Here’s what to do:

– Preheat oven to 350 degrees

– Microwave 2 ounces of cream cheese for 20 seconds and spread into bottom of a one-quart dish

– In a bowl, add 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 finely chopped scallions, and 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (hot sauce optional)

– Add 1/2 cup shredded artichoke hearts, 4 ounces crabmeat, 1 ounce of mozzarella, and 2 ounces of parmesan cheese

– Stir all your ingredients together and top with a little more parmesan cheese

– Bake for about 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly 

Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice for added freshness. You can serve this dip with veggies, crackers, or bread.

3. Easy Focaccia Bread

Everyone knows that the best Zoom party has carbs! Try this easy focaccia bread for your next Zoom event. You will need:

– 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed

– 1/2 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives

– 1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

– 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On an ungreased baking sheet, pat dough into a rectangle. Top with olives, cheeses, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle with oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!

4. Mango Salsa

Looking for a light and refreshing appetizer? How about a mango salsa served with tortilla chips? Slice up 1/2 red onion, 1 mango, 1 bunch of cilantro, and 1 jalapeno (seeded). Add a generous squeeze of lime juice and add salt and pepper to taste. 

newThat’s it! Stir it all up, chill it, and serve. This a perfect Zoom party appetizer for those hot California days and nights!

5. Festive Goat Cheese Log

Don’t have much time to sort through zoom party ideas? This is the appetizer to make. All you need to do is crush up about 3/4 cup of pistachios and chop up 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. Take a log of goat cheese and roll in the pistachio and dried cranberry mixture. 

Serve with crunchy crackers. This is a great year-round recipe but is especially festive for the holiday season

Have an Unforgettable Zoom Party Menu

Try these simple appetizers for your next Zoom party. Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the chance to eat delicious food and socialize!

It’s been a challenging year – treat yourself to these tasty bites of food. And if you are looking to buy a new home this year or sell your current home, we can help! Connect with us today. 

Top 8 Things to Do in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is the perfect spot for your next adventure in Orange County. This beautiful city is known as Southern California’s top coastal point and is prepared to wow you with the beaches, art galleries, and attractions that they have to offer. Here are the some of the best things to do in Laguna Beach.

1. Stroll Through Heisler Park.

Heisler Park is an oceanfront park in Laguna Beach that stretches several miles down the Pacific Ocean. It offers beautiful views of the Laguna Beach coastline, making it the perfect spot to take a stroll, have a picnic, and even watch the sunset. There are great open lawn areas, picnic tables, barbecues, and accesses to the beach to make your day in Laguna a day well spent. This park is located at 375 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach.

2. Visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center was the first marine mammal rehabilitation facility in California and is the only marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in Orange County. Not only can you look at marine mammals up close, but you can also participate in the educational programs to learn more about the world of these marine mammals and the role of keeping the oceans clean.The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is open everyday from 10am-4pm with free admission and is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

3. Go to the Laguna Art Museum.

The Laguna Art Museum was founded in 1918 as a fine arts museum. This museum is now one of the oldest museums in California and also one of the only museums that is dedicated to displaying and preserving the art of California artists with pieces that depict the history of the state or spans all periods and styles. This museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach and is open every day except Wednesday’s.

4. Visit Table Rock Beach

Table Rock Beach is one of the most popular beaches to go to in Laguna and is known for its tall rock wall formation located on the northern end as well as its sandstone walls on the south side of the area.Table Rock Beach is also gorgeous and secluded with a ton of tide pools. Popular activities at this beach include photography, snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and skimboarding, especially because of the shape of the waves at this particular beach. This beach is located at 31681 Sea Bluff Ln in Laguna Beach.

5. Ride on the Laguna Beach Trolley

The Laguna Beach Trolley is a free weekend transportation system that takes you around the city of Laguna Beach with both long and short coastal routes. Visitors have the option to choose any of the 34 stops throughout the transportation system.

6. Visit the Sawdust Art Festival

Laguna Beach is known for its creative energy that has brought together many talented young local artists. The Sawdust Art Festival was created because of how these artists wanted somewhere new, fresh and exciting to display their artwork, so this festival was designed to both entertain and educate. This go-to art festival is open from June 29th, 2018 through September 2nd, 2018 this year and will feature arts and crafts from over 200 Laguna Beach artists. The arts and crafts include hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing/textiles, wood/metal sculptures, photography, and more. Come experience and see how art has held a strong sense of community in Laguna Beach. This is one event you do not want to miss.

7. Take Photos with the Whaling Wall

The Whaling Wall is one of the most popular locations to take photos at in Laguna Beach. A world-renown marine life artist, Robert Wyland, has created 100 outdoor murals of life-size whales and other sea life in various locations across the nation and other countries. Wyland wanted to use these murals to increase the world’s awareness of the world’s oceans. The first mural was created in 1981 on the side of Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach and it depicted a life-size California gray whale with her calf. So start your adventure in Laguna Beach by finding one of these Whaling Walls that still exist in Laguna Beach today.

8. Catch a Performance at Bluebird Park

Bluebird Park is one of the most highly recommended parks in Laguna Beach. On any Sunday in July or August, the city hosts a “Music in the Park” event as a free and family-friendly concert. If you’re not there for a concert, the large, open grass space is perfect for a picnic and outdoor activities. Kids love the half-basketball court, the space for running, and the play area with structures and swings. This park is located at 798 Bluebird Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Well what are you waiting for? Go check out all these awesome things you can do in Laguna Beach!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock//Engel Ching