We love this genius idea from the new Watertable restaurant in Huntington Beach. Inside the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, Watertable is serving up local produce with a comfort-food spin, but the way they’re dishing out light noshes at the bar is what caught our attention. These Bar Jars – variously sized jam jars filled with house-made snacks are the coolest way to prep munchies for home entertaining. Make them ahead of time, pile them up on the bar or kitchen counter and let party guests or house guests help themselves to whatever they like.
Watertable fills their jars with artichoke spread, marinated olives, oven-cured tomatoes and rosemary almonds, but, really, you could fill them with anything you like – think individually-sized hummus and guacamole!
To get you thinking in the right direction, we’re sharing Chef Lassahn’s recipe for marinated pistachios with Manchego cheese. Order up a case of jars and you’re half way to ideal hostess status. You’re welcome!
Marinated California Pistachios and Manchego Cheese
Ingredients
6 lbs Manchego cheese, cubed into ½” pieces
6 cloves garlic, shaved
1 oz cracked black pepper
12 each bay leaf, dried
6 whole rosemary sprigs
1 Tbsp crushed red chilies
2 quarts high-quality California virgin olive oil
1 ½ cup sherry vinegar
4 cup raw, unsalted pistachios
Directions
Marinate the cheese with sherry for 30 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients into Mason jar or any other airtight container.
Place in fridge overnight before consuming, but serve at room temperature for best flavor.
Can be stored for up to 2 weeks. Replace rosemary sprigs as needed.
