Apr 01 2009
“Hump Day ~ Happy Hour” Idea #1
Spring has sprung! Take the time to enjoy yourself and some close friends or family for Springtime Happy Hour. With Easter just 11 days away, this will be a great opportunity to get together and discuss your Easter Egg Hunt plans while getting over the midweek hump. Call and invite some people over and then stop by the grocery store on your way home from work and grab some essentials to make yourself an easy and tasty little gathering.
Spring Rolls: These are easy and fun to make but I suggest opening up some of the preparation to your guests. Set the ingredients in individual dishes out on a table or large counter top surface for a “spring roll making station”. This offers the guests the ability to pick their own ingredients and get creative with their choices. Spring rolls do not have to be the traditional style anymore. Don’t be afraid to step away from the Asian flavoring if you like and do something different like Mexican or American style spring rolls. There are many different ingredients you can roll up and make delicious.
Not only are these fun to make but they are great finger food appetizers so you can offer yourself and your guests the ability to unwind with a cocktail while cooking and eating. This is much better then being stuck in the kitchen, slaving away at the stove and then serving a big sit down meal that you will dread having to clean up afterwards. The ingredients that I have included can easily be found in your grocery store. You should be able to pick up everything already made such as the chicken or pork, canned for the beans or corn and fresh for the veggies. Make sure everything is cleaned, heated, drained and chopped or shredded finely.
Mexican Spring Rolls:
- Spring Roll Wrappers
- Shredded Cheese
- Corn
- Black or Pinto Beans
- Chopped Bell Pepper
- Chopped Scallions
- Chopped Cilantro
- Roasted Chicken – Pull off all the meat and set on a plate
- Pico de Gallo
- Dipping Sauce Ideas: Taco sauce, Guacamole, Hot Sauce, Salsa
Asian Spring Rolls:
- Spring Roll Wrappers
- Pulled or shredded Pork
- Chopped Water Chestnuts
- Bean Sprouts
- Shredded Carrots
- Sliced Cabbage
- Dipping Sauce Ideas: Soy Sauce, Hot Mustard, Sweet & Sour
I have included this YouTube video in which I find the process for wrapping, gluing and frying very easy. If you fast forward to about 5:50, it brings you right to the cooking instructions but please feel free to watch the entire video for more ideas.
Spring Cocktails:
Please visit Drinksmixer.com for any drink recipe. I love this site. Just type in whatever flavor, color or word in the search box that you have in mind and it will most likely come up with a drink for you.
Spring Desserts:
To make it easy on yourself, while you are at the grocery store, pick up an already made dessert of your choice or pick up more then one for a variety. Pick some spring cookies or cupcakes to nibble on after.
Have fun and enjoy your “Hump Day ~ Happy Hour” Idea #1 
