Appetizers for easy entertaining

Springtime entertaining

Springtime begins the excitement of shaking off the winter cold and celebrating the rebirth of warm weather. Garden parties, bridal and baby showers, and cocktails on the veranda call for elegant but easy to prepare appetizers – no hostess should be slaving in the kitchen when the beautiful blooms and sunshine beckon. You can scrumptiously impress your guests with the following canapés. Serve them with white and red wines or fruit Sangria punch. If you are hip on the concept of beer being the new wine, then by all means partner these appetizing appetizers with a pale ale garnished with twists of lime.

EASY ELEGANT APPETIZERS

Fig and Onion Crostini: Melt shavings of Fontina or Jarlsberg cheese toasted slices of baguette and top with caramelized red onions and fig jam.

Caviar or Smoked Salmon Pumpernickel Toasts: Spread a bit of whipped cream cheese on toasted party pumpernickel rounds and top with caviar or slivers of smoked salmon and dill sprigs.

Brie, Pear and Sugar Glazed Pecans on Puff Pastry: Cut puff pastry sheets into squares or rectangles, top with brie, finely chopped pear and a sugar glazed pecan and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Miniature Bacon and Chive Tarts: Mash together a spreadable cheese, like Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs, with cooked crumbled bacon and fresh chopped chives. Spoon into ready-made mini tart shells and bake at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes.

Fruit and Cheese Skewers: Cube a semi-firm cheese like Gruyere or Jarlsberg, cutting your favorite bread to the same size. Using a cocktail toothpick, skewer a small piece of dried apricot, prune or red grape with the cheese and square of bread.

Stuffed Figs: Stuff fresh chevre cheese or Boursin Black Pepper cheese into split figs and top with cherry preserves and a toasted walnut.

Honey Pistachio Cheese Cubes: Dip cubes of Jarlsberg in honey and roll in chopped pistachios. Serve skewered with cocktail toothpicks.

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes: Stuff a creamy cheese, like Boursin Shallot and Chive, into cherry tomatoes and garnish with minced fresh herbs.

Arrange these mouthwatering springtime appetizers on serving platters garnished with fresh herbs and edible flowers. Easy entertaining at its most delicious best!

Recipe ideas courtesy of Boursin Cheese.

SPECIAL OFFER TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND RESEARCH

And if you need one more reason to partake of this creamy delicious cheese, Boursin has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise breast cancer awareness and research for the cure. Boursin is offering a limited edition pink tote bag with the pink ribbon logo that can be ordered with two UPC codes cut from any Boursin flavor. From now until April 30th, Boursin will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for every order. Boursin will be "pink" for the cause during the month of April, urging consumers to visit the Susan G. Komen Foundation website to learn more about the work being done to battle breast cancer. The pink tote is perfect to carry Boursin, crackers and some fruit for a relaxed afternoon picnic at the park -- or even your own backyard.