the lazy list: when apertivo hour sounds much better than dinner
making the most of these last long days
What’s the lazy list again? Making dinner (and life) feel just a bit easier for you, is kind of my thing. So each week I send my high-impact, low-effort faves straight to your inbox including:
• Some super easy recipes from the dinner, sorted archives so you don’t have to worry about dinner next week
• My favorite lazy girl finds. The things I swear by that make my life easier
• Any hot tips I’ve got on how to live your best lazy life
this week's lazy list: 7 summer apps that are better than dinner
Sometimes dinner feels like… a lot. But with the sun on your face, a spritz in hand, a few salty bites, and friends lingering around the table? That’s the kind of summer entertaining I actually want.
I used to panic-buy cheese boards and chips 20 minutes before guests arrived, only to spend the whole night stressing if there was “enough food.” (No shame in that btw but since it’s literally my job to cook, it feels illegal). Now, I keep a running list of lazy-but-impressive apps - things that take minutes, taste amazing, and make it seem like I put in way more effort than I did.
These recipes are for those nights when you’d rather be poolside than stuck at the stove, when aperitivo hour really is the main event. Because the best summer hack isn’t an over-the-top spread. It’s food that’s easy, unfussy, and still gets a “wait, you made this?” every time.
drunken raisin and crushed olive crostini
why it's perfect: sweet boozy raisins meet salty olives on crispy bread. It sounds weird, tastes incredible, and makes you look like you have very sophisticated taste.
lazy girl hack: the raisin mixture gets better the longer it sits, so make it in the morning. Toast the bread right before guests arrive and let people assemble their own.
why it's perfect: all the crispy, creamy satisfaction of restaurant rangoons but with sweet summer corn you bought at the farmers market. Ready in 30 minutes flat.
lazy girl hack: make a huge batch and freeze half before cooking. Just brush with oil and pop them in the air fyrer from frozen when you need them.
why it's perfect: they're basically loaded potato skins but way less work and infinitely more impressive. All the crispy, cheesy, bacon-y goodness in bite-sized form.
lazy girl hack: you can pre-bake these and pop them back in the oven or fryer for a quick reheat right before serving.
why it's perfect: you stuff some flowers with herby cheese and suddenly everyone assumes you went to culinary school. It's giving fancy restaurant vibes with literally zero skill required.
lazy girl hack: store-bought boursin is doing all the heavy lifting here!
why it's perfect: crispy, herby, and addictive. Plus eggplant is in season right now and this makes it taste like something you'd pay $18 for at a wine bar (which I actually have).
lazy girl hack: slice everything ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. When guests arrive, just dredge and fry - takes 10 minutes max.
why it's perfect: bright green peas meet tangy goat cheese in these crispy little bites. They're like summer in fritter form and people always assume they're way harder than they are.
lazy girl hack: make these ahead of time and reheat right before serving!
why it's perfect: warm, molten goat cheese coated in crispy panko with that sweet mango sauce? $18 for 4 of these at Sur? Nah I’ll make them at home
lazy girl hack: freeze the cheese discs in the morning so they're ready to fry when people show up. The mango sauce keeps for days.
other summer cooking essentials
I’ve done the browsing for you! one less task to check off
cooking tweezers - for safely pulling things out of hot oil without burning yourself (learned this the hard way). These are the only ones I use - they actually grip things and don't slip
serving platter - I use this for literally every gathering and people always ask where I got it! It’s great for the fried apps and tots because it’s easy to clean.
serving board - another great option from Fable; It’s perfect to serve the corn rangoons and crostinis
cocktail napkins - small apps need small napkins. Revolutionary, I know
flaky salt - I’ll never stop recommending this brand. Best flaky salt on the market
acacia salt cellar - because every great appetizer needs proper seasoning and this little guy is so much better than fumbling with a shaker
cooking apron - because you spent time picking out that cute summer outfit and you’re not about to ruin it with hot oil
wine glasses - thin rim + dishwasher safe = actual perfection
rosé - light + fresh + pairs with everything on this list and screams summer
fine mesh strainer - for draining fried things properly so they stay crispy instead of getting soggy!
sheet pans - these Nordic Ware pans are the difference between evenly cooked apps and burnt disasters. Get two so you're not washing between batches
Save your energy for what actually matters... like enjoying your summer gatherings instead of stressing in the kitchen. Pick one or two of these and watch everyone lose their minds over how "fancy" you are.
Let me know in the comments which one you're trying first! 👇
fried zucchini blossoms are undefeated