A Perfect Cure for the Summertime Entertaining Blues

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May 14, 2009

Anonymous The Jacksonville Daily Progress Thu May 14, 2009, 09:23 PM CDT

Summertime and the livin's easy? Not always, especially for busy summer hostesses. The thought of cranking up the oven, slaving over the stove or sweating outside by the grill can be enough to make even the most diligent party planners think twice about throwing that annual summertime soiree.

Before you scrap your summer plans altogether, consider small changes that can make warm-weather entertaining simple and stress-free for guests and hosts alike. The experts at Santa Barbara Bay, makers of best-selling refrigerated deli dips available nationwide, urge summertime hosts and hostesses to keep the menu fresh, fun and festive while minimizing time spent in the kitchen.

This quick list of tips and tricks will ensure you get through the dog days of summer without leaving your guests -- or yourself -- in the doghouse:

* Dip in to healthy flavor. Deli dips paired with your favorite crackers and crudites are the perfect snack or appetizer for summer guests of all ages. Try fresh, healthy flavor varieties like Santa Barbara Bay All Natural Greek Yogurt Dip in Cucumber Dill. Greek yogurt-based products are packed with protein and contain active cultures that promote digestive health. Whether served right out of the package or in a bright summer serving dish, your friends and family will want to take a dip -- and you can feel good about the health benefits you're serving up!

* Choose self-serve. An open buffet of appetizers and snacks allows summer guests to nibble at their leisure. Choose "set it and forget it" dishes, such as cut veggies, fruit and cheese, which can be prepared ahead of time and munched on throughout the day.

* Keep your cool. Beat the heat in the kitchen by planning menu items that don't require cooking. For example, this Cajun Crab Slaw recipe takes help from store-bought ingredients to spare you the time and effort of chopping, cooking and cleaning from scratch.

Ingredients:

1 cup Santa Barbara Bay Cajun Crab Dip

12 ounces bagged slaw mix

1 cup finely chopped cucumber

1 cup bagged shredded carrots

1 lb. precooked shrimp

Directions:

Toss Cajun Crab Dip, slaw mix, cucumber, and carrots in a large mixing bowl. Place 3 to 4 shrimp on each plate and top with one scoop of slaw mixture.

* Relax and enjoy! Who says a summer hostess can't have fun at her own party? After all, if you're not enjoying yourself, you can't expect your guests to. So take a deep breath, relax and have a ball. Your upbeat mood will rub off on partygoers, so you'll rest assured that a good time will be had by all.

For full product details and additional recipe suggestions, visit www.santabarbarabay.com.

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A Perfect Cure for the Summertime Entertaining Blues

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