After searching for your dream house, you finally find it. When the hustle and bustle of moving is behind you, it’s time to invite your family and friends to share the joy of your new home for a traditional housewarming party. The guests will be hungry... your new kitchen is calling to you. But what to cook?
We've gathered 5 recipes we think would be a great way to entertain and break in your beautiful new home. Enjoy alongside a tour through some of our listings' most pristine chef's dream kitchens!
Click here to view 5675 Via Bonita | 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 4,827 SqFt | 22,651 SqFt Lot
1. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Start with a salad: we love both pasta salads and Caesar salad. A recipe that combines both can't be beat! This dish is a total crowd pleaser, plus it's easy to make and can take some of the stress out of your party planning.
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 6 cups Romaine lettuce, finely chopped, about 1 head
- 10.5 oz container grape tomatoes
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups chicken, grilled, diced or shredded
- salt, to taste
Instructions
-
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add salt and pasta then stir to prevent sticking. Return water to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook pasta according to directions on package until tender but still slightly firm. Drain then immediately rinse under cold water to cool pasta and stop cooking. Set aside to drain completely.
-
Using a very large bowl, add Caesar dressing, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and lemon juice then stir to combine. Add chopped Romaine, grape tomatoes, Parmesan, black pepper and well-drained pasta then stir until ingredients are well coated.
-
Add diced or shredded chicken then toss to distribute chicken evenly through salad. Season to taste with salt and additional black pepper if desired. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.
2. Loaded Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic dish in most households and make for a perfect appetizer. This recipe is a twist on the classic, with a few extra ingredients such as bacon, cheese, and chives to spice things up. Make use of a cute serving tray and your guests won't be able to get enough!Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 eggs, hard boiled
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 teaspoons chives, fresh
- 2 ½ teaspoons vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
-
Peel and halve the hard boiled eggs. Remove egg yolks from egg halves and place in a mixing bowl. Mash the egg yolks with a fork.
-
Add in bacon, chives, vinegar, mustard, cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the sour cream last and use more as needed to reach desired smoothness.
-
Spoon yolk mixture back into egg halves. The bulk will have grown substantially, so pile it high. Sprinkle paprika on the tops of the eggs.
Recipe by Six Sisters' Stuff
Click here to view: 5302 Via Jacinto | 5 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,821 SqFt | 15,681 SqFt Lot
3. Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip
If you’re looking for an easy dip that may disappear in minutes, than look no further. This dip is made using your slow cooker. Just load up all the ingredients and cook on high for two hours. Simple, right? Get it ready early to leave time to pick out your favorite crackers!
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces Neufchatel cheese (cubed)
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 14 ounce can artichoke hearts (drained, rinsed and finely chopped)
- 8 ounces trimmed fresh spinach leaves (about 8 cups)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
-
In your slow cooker, combine mozzarella, Neufchatel cheese, Parmesan, garlic, artichokes, spinach, and black pepper.
-
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, until hot and bubbly.
-
Stir well and serve with homemade tortilla chips, bread, or crackers of your choice.
Recipe by Home Cooking Memories
Click here to view: 5496 Via Mira Flores | 5 Bed | 7 Bath | 5,129 SqFt | 29,620 SqFt Lot
4. Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Fig Jam, and Basil
This is a great shareable item for any housewarming party! The combination of caramelized onions and goat cheese is fantastic, and the fig jam brings a bright sweetness. Feel free to caramelize your onions in advance - then it takes under 15 minutes to build a pizza!
Ingredients
Onions:
- 2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 ounces trimmed fresh spinach leaves (about 8 cups)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Flatbread Pizza:
- 1 flatbread
- 6 tablespoons fig preserves
- 6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
To Make the Onions:
-
Melt olive oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
Stir in salt and sugar and reduce heat to medium low. Continue to cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are a deep golden color.
To Make the Flatbread Pizza:
-
Spread jam evenly onto flatbread. Layer half of onions onto flatbread. Crumble half of goat cheese over onions. Repeat with remaining onions and goat cheese.
-
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are crispy. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Cut into slices.
-
Sprinkle basil on top of flatbread and add a generous pinch or two of flaky sea salt before serving.
Recipe by Garnish With Lemon
Click here to view: 127 Via Pacifica | 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,965 SqFt | 8,276 SqFt Lot
5. Caprese Salad Skewers
These cute little skewers are a perfectly refreshing finger food. They’re handheld and easy to put together, with deceptively simple ingredients that yield delicious results. A little drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze brings it all together. Your guests will adore them!
Ingredients
- 20 round cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounce container mozzarella balls
- 20 fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar (or a bottle of a balsamic glaze)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional if making the balsamic glaze from scratch. This will make the glaze a little sweeter)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Black pepper
- Salt
Instructions
-
To make balsamic glaze, place balsamic vinegar and sugar (if using) in a small or medium sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat then reduce the heat to a simmer.
-
Simmer, stirring gently, until the vinegar has reduced by half. This can take about 10 minutes, but the time can vary based on cookware, burner and batch size.
-
The glaze is done once it coats the back of the spoon. Take off the heat and let cool. The glaze will thicken quite a bit as it cools. If it's too thick, add a teaspoon of water and whisk to your desired consistency.
- Assemble the skewers by adding a tomato, basil leaf (roll from one end to the other), and a mozzarella ball on medium-sized toothpicks. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Recipe by Stuck on Sweet
We hope you might enjoy cooking up some of these party dishes, whether you're celebrating or not. Looking for a new kitchen to party in yourself? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us to tour our available listings!