Last night, Adam and I officially celebrated with all of our friends the purchase of our first house. After a very wet 5.5 mile run and a shower, I pretty much was kitchen bound for 7 hours or so. SO worth it!! It was a really great time, and I think having yummy food definitely helped. 
APPETIZERS
Mashed potato and mushroom filled cups with dollops of sour cream (I was going for a Russian inspired appetizer)
Fresh mozzarella/grape tomato skewers (Adam assembled these babies. Pretty, no?)
Endive boats stuffed with oranges, goat cheese and candied walnuts (I followed this recipe from Cooking Light, which I found through Good Things Catered)
These were so fresh and tasty… a great combination of flavors!
Beef sliders with toppings…
I made the burgers by adding some salt, pepper, garlic powder and Country Bob’s all purpose sauce to ground 96% lean beef, and then grilling them (obvi 
).
The star of the show (unsurprisingly) – spinach artichoke dip (using this recipe from Cooking Light).
This is the BEST spinach artichoke dip (including less healthy versions)!! I’ve made it numerous times before (I found at least 4 posts on my blog with pictures of it and happy “customers”) and really have no desire to ever try another recipe. Why mess with perfection?! 
DESSERTS
Blondies (I followed this recipe from Cooks Illustrated)
They were delicious, but unfortunately a little dry (I got busy and overbaked them by mistake 
). Most of them are gone, though, so I’d say they were still a “great success.” 
Lauren brought the most delicious Veganomicon’s Apple Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
Molly brought some yummy brownies (Molly, do you want to share your secret recipe with us? )
And Shannon brought apple and carrot shortbread cookies (I believe she followed this recipe). These were a little more subtly sweet than the rest of the over-the-top desserts. I personally really enjoyed them (you’ll even see them in my breakfast this morning )
My sister and I split this little plate and enjoyed it very much
We also enjoyed some pomegranate margarita!
Oh yeah, I also can’t get enough of this seasonal hard cider:
GOOD FUN
My friend Pran being silly (I thought she was a little close to me when we were posing… 
)
Shannon, me, Pran, Dina and Katy
More posing…
Adam and me
Black is where it’s at
You know the party is not bad when people start doing tequila shots at the end of the night (not moi). A little salt helps it go down easy…
It was so much fun! It was a lot of work, but I think Adam and I did a great job organizing everything and everyone seemed to have a really good time… that’s all you can ask for! Do you love entertaining?
Elina- These photos don’t do last night justice. Your apartment and the food were SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Alex keeps saying “I can’t believe the spread!!”
I love house warming parties! Your food looks great!
wow! all the food looks absolutely amazing
jenna
That dip looks delicious! Mmmm!
What a great spread, and it looks like you guys had a blast! Congrats
everything looks so wonderful! looks like you are quite good at entertaining
Look at all of that delicious food! I’m sorry that we couldn’t make it. Let’s get together soon! Have you guys been to Drink yet? Or perhaps brunch or tapas at Masa?
WOW! Looks like you did a great job! Sad news on the Thanksgiving class- the insurance issues with the club got crazy so it is a no go
I hope I’ll still see you soon though?? 
Congratulations on your new home!
Those Apple Caramel things look amaazing.
Congrats on the house! I can’t wait to someday own a house. I’m at home for one more year and going CRAZY.
Wow! Good job with all of the cooking/baking. Everything looked wonderful…including the condo. Congratulations on your new home!
I feel like the worst friend ever. I am still so bummed. I ended up working all day yesterday (I went back to the office to bring my work in at 1:30 am…soooooo depressing). I was so engrossed in my work that I even forgot it was my day to pick up my CSA share. It looks like you had an amazing time which makes me even more bummed I was not there. If it’s the same spinach dip I’ve made from cooking light then I agree with you that it’s definitely yum-worthy.
Congratulations on your new home. It looks like a beautiful place! What an amazing job you two did on your party too, I am blown away by the selection and the healthiness of everything. I bet your guests were so happy they were invited .
Looks like a beautiful spread! I love entertaining but I get so stressed out prepping and it’s something I have to work on so that I enjoy myself more!
Love the Russian-inspired dish, all about the sour cream and potatoes!
I know how hard it is to pull together that sort of spread. Everything looks delicious and I’m sure you enjoyed all the sweet stuff friends brought.
Wow thats quite the spread– looks awesome and definitely worth all of your hard work!!
#17 - Sometimes you lose // Nov 15, 2009 at 11:31 pm
[...] Housewarming party [...]
What a beauitufl spread, Elina! Tell Adam he did great with the tomato skewers
I have yet to host a proper dinner party yet. Maybe by the time we buy a house I will have worked up enough confidence!
Molly – thank you!! I do think everything came out well… I was really happy with the overall result and like I said, everyone seemed to have fun so that’s the most important thing! Thanks for coming!!!!
Kate G. – thanks! Having a helper and people bringing a few dishes helped a lot too
Tina – it’s ok, it was a nasty day outside. Let’s go to Drink sometime soon!
Ali – oh no! I was really looking forward to burning a few cals before the big turkey dinner. Let’s definitely get together soon!
Katie – it will come with time… I promise
Kelly – you are not the worst friend ever. Sounds like you had an awful day at work. I hope it eases up!! I’ll shoot you another email soon
Caroline – hehe, thanks! Yes, I tried to keep everything pretty healthy. I think no one noticed.
One Healthy Apple – thanks!! I’m actually thinking about entering that dish into a contest. I’m glad you commented on it
24carrot – you know I did!
Lara – I think you’re ready!! I’ll tell Adam about the tomato skewers.
What a spread! Impressive!
#21 - All better // Nov 17, 2009 at 8:01 pm
[...] Housewarming party [...]