Easy Appetizers for Holiday Hosting

November 2, 2023

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Ingredients

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 pound large tail-on shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon Thai sweet chili sauce

Time + Servings

  • Prep time: 5 minutes 
  • Total time: 25 minutes 
  • Yield: 4 servings

Directions

  • In a bowl, lightly season flour with salt and black pepper. In another bowl, combine panko and shredded coconut. In a third bowl, beat two eggs to blend.
  • Dip shrimp gently and one at a time into seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Dip into eggs, then into panko mixture.
  • In an air-fryer basket, arrange shrimp in a single layer; cook at 400°F until shrimp is cooked through, about 7 to 9 minutes. Depending on the size of your air-fryer basket, you may have to cook the shrimp in separate batches.
  • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sriracha and chili sauce.
  • When ready to serve, arrange shrimp on a platter. Include dipping sauce alongside or drizzle on top of the shrimp.

Sweet Potato Bites

Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼" thick rounds
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 bag marshmallows (10 oz.)
  • ½ cup pecan halves

Time + Servings

  • Prep time: 10 minutes 
  • Total time: 40 minutes 
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. On a large baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes with melted butter and maple syrup. Arrange potatoes in an even layer and season with salt. 
  • Bake until potatoes are tender, flipping halfway through, about 20 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven. Switch oven to broil. 
  • Top each sweet potato with a marshmallow and broil until puffed and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes; remove from broiler.
  • Top each marshmallow with a pecan half. Sprinkle with cinnamon or brown sugar for additional flavor and serve.

Whipped Ricotta Toast

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 slices thick-cut bread, such as sourdough, toasted

Time + Servings

  • Total time: 15 minutes 
  • Yield: 2 servings

Directions

  • In a food processor or blender, combine the ricotta and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Blend briefly to combine; with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and continue processing on high speed until the ricotta is smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Spread or pipe whipped ricotta onto toast and season with pepper.
  • Top with honey, lemon zest or fresh herbs, such as thyme, for added flavor. 

By Lesley Mann May 29, 2025
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
May 15, 2025
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
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Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the perfect time to focus on your financial future. Building on the foundation you’ve already laid the groundwork for with smart money choices will set you up for long-term success. Here are a few key financial products to consider as you take the next step.
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Kick-start your child’s journey to financial success with a whole life policy from GBU Life.
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