Easy-to-eat, flavorful finger foods make a great party menu.
Whether you're hosting a cocktail party, a bridal shower, a big-game bash or a casual friendly gathering, keeping your guests fed is key to having a good time. Offer a selection of appetizers that are appropriate, flavorful and easy to eat, and you'll be well on your way to throwing a successful get-together. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Cocktail Party
Keep your food classy and clean, but make sure it's substantial enough to stand up to the alcohol you're serving with it. A plate of meats and cheeses served with crackers is a simple way to start. In a food processor, puree smoked salmon with cream cheese, lemon juice and dill to make a mousse, then serve atop cucumber slices. Top small pieces of bread with pesto, tomato and mozzarella, then broil for a few minutes and you have bruschetta. Bacon-wrapped scallops are a classic appetizer: Wrap each sea scallop around the sides with a small piece of bacon, secure with a toothpick, and broil for 10 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
The Big Game
Whether it's the Super Bowl or the first game of the season, the food at a sports party should be hearty, spicy and easy to eat while your eyes are glued to the screen. For a quick guacamole, mash avocados together with lime juice, cilantro, red onion, garlic, jalapeno, and cumin. Wings are a classic game-day treat --- you can grill, bake, broil or fry them, then toss in buffalo or teriyaki sauce. Serve your favorite chili, but make sure it's thick enough to use as a dip for tortilla chips. To keep the carnivores happy, make mini-meatballs of beef and pork and serve with a side of spicy tomato sauce, or flatten those meatballs into small burger patties and make cheeseburger sliders.
Shower
Baby and bridal showers are delicate affairs, requiring more polished food. Dress up deviled eggs by piping the yolk filling into the whites with a fluted pastry bag, then topping them with sprigs of fresh herbs, a handful of capers or a crispy piece of bacon. Make spiral finger sandwiches: Pile a tortilla or wrap with fillings, roll tightly then slice through horizontally. Some filling combinations are hummus, spinach, roasted red pepper and feta; mayonnaise, albacore tuna, chopped olives and red onion; prosciutto, mozzarella, romaine and tomato. Fresh fruit is a popular option, especially for a brunch shower, and you can add your own twist by sprinkling the fruit with sugar or cinnamon and grilling it until it's slightly caramelized. Pineapple, pear and plum are especially delicious when grilled. Serve with a side of sweetened mascarpone cheese.
Entertaining with Ease
No matter what the reason, having friends over should be relaxing and enjoyable, so never bite off more than you can chew and don't forget to put down the spatula, take off the apron and join your guests once in a while. Make more food than you think you'll need, get as much done in advance as you can, and you can impress without stress.
Tags: broil minutes, make sure, piece bacon, with side, your guests