Best of: Snowbird Recipes

Best of Snowbird Recipes

Caribbean Shooters Snowbird Recipe Midlife Snowbird

Caribbean shooters infused with aromatics and topped with Cajun shrimp are refreshing and surprisingly easy to prepare

Beverages, Sauces & Appetizers

Appetizers are awesome as a standalone or the beginning of a great meal. Snowbirds are social, but entertaining doesn't need to be a major endeavor. A few ideas for delicious party starters and beverages for a few guests or a crowd.

Cheese lovers will enjoy Parmesan Crisps that are easy to create, yet special for your next social gathering

mango, summer mango cocktail Snowbird Recipe

Tropical mango is the key ingredient combined with pineapple juice for a refreshingly delicious beverage served in a sugar-rimmed glass

bacon blue cheese endive appetizer Snowbird Recipe

Bacon blue cheese endive boats topped with chilled grapes and fresh garden chives

Entrees, Soup & Salads

Snowbirds typically aren't shy about enjoying a great meal and these snowbird recipes are designed for flavorful food without requiring a lot of ingredients or special equipment to prepare them.

ENTREES:

GRILLED COASTAL AMBERJACK WITH MANGO SALSA

CHICKEN, KIELBASA, SHRIMP GUMBO

CLASSIC SHRIMP AND GRITS

MAHI MAHI EN PAPILLOTE

RESTAURANT QUALITY SALMON

BAKED WHITE FISH WITH GARLIC BUTTER, PARMESAN, PECANS

SALADS:

BLUE CHEESE SALAD DRESSING

OVERNIGHT LAYERED CHOP SALAD

ROMAINE WITH RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

RANCH SALAD DRESSING

STEAKHOUSE STYLE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

SOUP:

CREAMY SCOTTISH LEEKS WHITEFISH WINTER SOUP

Scotland's most famous soup is amazing with a creamy thin broth, cod or smoked haddock, leeks, sweet onion, Yukon Gold potatoes, corn

baby bella stuffed mushroom Snowbird Recipe

Baby bella mushrooms with fresh rosemary are not complicated yet look enticing and taste earthy

The beautiful Champagne Poinsettia is lighter, easy to make and perfect for a festive holiday party or brunch

Bite Sized Potato Salad Hors d'oeuvres Midlife Snowbird Recipe

Beautiful bite sized purple potato salad bites stuffed with mustard aioli, hard boiled egg, bacon bits and celery leaves

Chocolate Bourbon Walnut Pie Midlife Snowbird

My version of Kentucky's most famous classic bourbon chocolate walnut pie, which is typically served in small pieces because it is so rich

cheddar olive balls Midlife Snowbird Recipe

Savory cheddar olive balls are bite-sized, cheesy and a little more special for any social gathering

Comfort Food, Sides & Desserts

Snowbirds bring their regional flair to their Southern homes and these snowbird recipes are comforting and delicious. Take time to try a new recipe that just might become your family's latest favorite.

COMFORT FOOD:

BAKED CHEESY DELI SLIDERS

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

LUMP CRAB MELT SANDWICHES

SEASONED STEAK BURGERS

PIZZA NIGHT

SIDES

BROCCOLI CON CAPELLINI

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

SCOTTISH MASHED POTATOES, SAUSAGE and WHISKEY GRAVY

POPOVERS

STUFFED ZUCCHINI: BASIL, PARMESAN, PANKO

BRUNCH:

IMITATION CRAB QUICHE

SWEETS/DESSERTS:

BOURBON CHOCOLATE NUT PIE

CREAMY BERRY PARFAIT

FRESH PEACH COMPOTE ICE CREAM SAUCE

WHITE CHOCOLATE POPCORN

Elegant Hors d'oeuvres Midlife Snowbird Recipe

Thick cut candied bbq rubbed bacon topped with garlic sauteed shrimp and fresh minced chives

Mahi Mahi En Papillote Midlife Snowbird Recipe

Mahi Mahi en papillote is a fun, fresh French technique to wow your guests. Shown with fresh lemon, mangoes and scallions

best recipe salmon fillet Midlife Snowbird Recipe

Perfectly cooked restaurant quality salmon fillet with seasoned crust and chive herb sauce

Best homemade baked mac and cheese Midlife Snowbird

Best homemade mac and cheese, this go-to recipe is great for snowbirds who want to serve comfort food that is a little extra special

Colorful butternut squash pasta is ideal as a meatless main with fresh herbs, crispy Panko crumbs, shaved Parmesan cheese and baked squash

amberjack fish recipe, midlife snowbird, mango salsa

Fresh Coastal Seafood

Snowbird Recipes

Fresh seafood, whether blackened on the grill or baked in the oven, is a terrific benefit of living in a coastal community. Shrimp, oysters, red snapper, grouper, shark, scallops, triggerfish and more are all readily available in season. We have perfected these recipes for fresh fish, including an old favorite, grouper, and new love, amberjack. Fresh mango/pineapple salsa takes almost any fresh fish dish from good to great!

100+ EASY, SIMPLE SNOWBIRD MENU IDEAS

COOKING CLASS: FIVE ELEGANT HORS D'OEUVRES

GRILLED AMBERJACK WITH MANGO SALSA

BAKED TILAPIA WITH PECAN, PARMESAN, PANKO, GARLIC BUTTER CRUST

SNOWBIRD THEME PARTIES

Fish Markets

Local Seafood

Snowbirds from landlocked areas don't take for granted having easy access to fresh seafood near their adopted coastal homes. Fresh caught daily -- it doesn't get much better than this. There are many independent fish markets on the Emerald Coast, which makes it convenient to shop at a location near you. Prices vary, as do selections based on the season of the year in addition to other factors.

If you want a specific fish, arrive early in the day before it sells out. If you, like us, prefer a center cut, great, but be prepared to pay more per pound for it. Ask your fish monger for advice cooking a particular fish if you aren't familiar with it and want to try something new. Your fish monger will pack it on ice. Bring a cooler to transport the fish if you live a distance away or won't be returning home soon. Keep the fish packed on ice in your refrigerator until ready to prepare it.

Most fish markets carry other specialty items such as sauces, pasta, olives, accompaniments and more for convenient one-stop shopping.

Midlife snowbird, Destin Ice fish market

Send your favorite recipes

What are your fave seafood recipes? Side dishes? Desserts? Go-to party recipes?

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