Dining outside is the best part of summer.  When entertaining at home, the key to making it enjoyable for me is keeping it simple.  These four easy summer appetizers are all you need to get your party started.

Summer Appetizers

These summer appetizers are the perfect collection of easy, delicious and flavorful appetizers.  You can prepare them before your guests arrive and have them ready on the patio.

Tortellini Skewers & Pesto Sauce

If you can boil water, you can make this appetizer.  Prepare cheese tortellini according to package directions, rinse and skewer on wood appetizer picks.

Mix prepared pesto sauce with good quality olive oil for a sauce-like consistency.  (I like the Kirkland Pesto at Costco).

Be sure to serve appetizer dishes so that your guests can spoon some pesto sauce over the tortellini.

St. André Cheese Board

St. André is a French triple cream brie that is so buttery and delicious, guests always ask the name of it.  I like serving it with dried apricots for a pop of color and Triscuit crackers.

Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers are similar to the Padron Peppers I’ve written about in the past.   Shishito peppers are mostly mild.  They say one out of 10 has a kick of heat.  Just before guests arrive I blister them in a smidge of olive oil in a frying pan.  Season with sea salt.   Easy peasy.

Shishito peppers can be found at Trader Joes and Whole Foods.

Marinated Mushrooms

The three appetizers above are easy but this one takes the prize.  You can find these Marinated Mushrooms at Trader Joe’s.  They come in a jar.  Drain and serve with picks.  Yep.  That’s it!  They are delicious!

What are your go to easy appetizers for summer entertaining?