Summer Appetizers

Summer is the time for celebrating outside with friends, and you can celebrate in style with these summer appetizers. Food on a warm summer day should be light and cool and you can't go wrong with these. It is also a good idea to serve appetizers that don't take a lot of time so you can join your guests and enjoy yourself.

Proscuitto-Basil Crostini

Ingredients:

• 1/2 french baguette cut diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 12 fresh basil leaves
• 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush both sides of bread with oil. Season with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden flipping to get both sides.
2. Divide the basil leaves and place on crostini. Fold prosciutto and place on crostini. Drizzle each with oil and season with pepper.

Summer Ginger Fruit Dip Appetizer

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. package of instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 6 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp finely chopped candied ginger
• /2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

1. Combine pudding mix, milk and orange juice concentrate and mix well. Stir in sour cream and both gingers.
2. In another bowl, combine cream with powdered sugar, beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into ginger mixture, and pour into serving bowl.
3. Cover and chill for several hours.
4. Serve with fresh fruit.

Pork and Peach Skewers for Summer Parties

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp grated ginger root
• 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 firm ripe peaches, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

1. Combine vinegar, olive oil, Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, pepper and ginger root.
2. Add pork to bowl, mix to coat pork. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
3. Heat grill and alternate pork and peaches on a skewer. Grill over medium coals for 7-9 minutes, turning frequently.