The smell of nootka roses and the semi-permanent frog song are in full swing... it's spring on SJI! Spring on the island is a mighty special time, and even beats our fun, busy summers in my mind. Everyone is coming out of the winter grog, the big blue sky is out, and even with the occasional chilly days, it's time for some appetizers and picnics with friends! If you're looking for some two to three ingredient snacks for a crowd of friends, we've got you covered.
Finger Foods:
Yogurt, Cream Cheese or Sour Cream Dips with Veggies
Great with carrots, bok choy dippers, bell peppers, celery, cucumber, or chips and pretzels. Just remember not to overdo the flavorful goodness if you have an already have a salty snack to go along with it! We go more in depth on my favorites in the Game Day Dips! blog.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, or your favorite type of creamy dip base
- 2 to 4 T of your favorite SJISS Blend (here we used Kimchi, BBQ, and Sriracha!)
Instructions:
Combine, and feel free to add extras (green onions, bacon bits or pancetta, fresh minced garlic, or cilantro would all be great depending on the flavor profile you're going for!). Serve with veg, chips, or pretzels.
Everything But the Kitchen Sink Popcorn
A famous farm favorite of Brady, Tyler, and I! The ultimate tangy/umami combo.
Ingredients:
- Popcorn
- Popcorn Blend
- Dill Pickle Salt
- Kimchi Blend
- Your favorite nutritional yeast
Instructions:
Coat your popcorn generously in oil, and add 1/4 Popcorn Blend, 1/4 Dill Pickle Salt, 1/4 Kimchi, 1/4 of your favorite nutritional yeast. I'd start with even sprinkles before adding even more of whichever seasoning makes your mouth sing!
Rainbow Cream Cheese on Cucumber (the favorite way to sample all of our flavors!)
This is the official SJISS way of sampling all of our seasonings, so this is especially great for folks with big collections! The fresh, crunchy cucumber combined with a cute little swirl of cream cheese is not only a sensory delight, but it provides the perfect muted flavor to let each of our seasonings shine.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 cucumbers
- Neufchâtel cream cheese (for easier piping!)
- Your favorite SJISS seasonings (here we use a little of everything, and we particularly recommend: Gomasio, Hot Popcorn Blend, Teriyaki, Blueberry Habanero, Garlic and Friends, Bull Kelp Salt, Madrona Smoked Salt and Pepper, and Daily Grind, Dill Pickle Salt, Ramen Blend, and Kimchi Blend!)
Instructions
Slice up cucumbers, and put room temp cream cheese in your favorite piping bag. The swirls will take some practice, but once you've got them down, give them a hearty sprinkle of your chosen blends, and watch these little cuke coins disappear.
Picnic Vibes:
Grilled Oysters
A simple way to have a few flavor profiles for your grilled oysters: a big 'ol pat of butter, and whatever jars of seasoning you have on hand! Here we use Chili Lime, Popcorn Blend, Sriracha, San Juan Blend. Another option is to make one of our compound butters and spoon it on, as well.
Ingredients:
- Fresh oysters (our favorites are obviously from Westcott Bay!)
- 1 stick of butter
- Your favorite SJISS seasonings
Instructions:
This is as simple as it gets. Get your grill ready, put butter and seasoning on the oysters, cover and cook until that butter is hot and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Serve with slices of lemon and lime, or garnishes of cilantro or parsley.
Mangos with Chili Lime
Instructions:
The simplest, most satisfying snack. Feel free to get fancy and add a dash of chamoy, or substitute Chili Lime for Sour Salt.
Serve with...
Micheladas with Chili Lime Rim
One of our favorite spring and summer drinks, done by our salt master, Ian.
Ingredients:
- Michelada mix
- Light beer (we love Pacifico for our micheladas!)
- Hot sauce (we recommend our favorite table sauce HOSA... made with our salt!)
- 1 lime
- Chili Lime Salt for rim
Instructions:
Rim beer glass with lime and dip into Chili Lime Salt. Pour in michelada mix, light beer of choice, and add a few dashes of hot sauce. Garnish with a lime.
Simple Cherry Tomatoes with Sour Salt
A perfect simple appetizer, and so easy to take along on a picnic. Slice up a container of your favorite sweet/tart cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with Sour Salt, and serve 'em up. Look at those beautiful colors!
Gather some of your best companions, and try any of these simple snacks as a great pairing to the sunsets in what we call "big sky country" out here at the farm. And most of these will pack quite easily for some sea gazing on the West Side! What's your go-to simple spring snack? Let us know in the comments and stay salty, friends!
