Serving party appetizers and snacks is your starting point, whether you're entertaining four (4) guests or four hundred (400) that you've invited to your party.In our previous post, we taught you how to hone in with our party food serving guide, telling you just how much food to allot for each one of your party guests. And now in this article, we'll go over a few party basics and we'll be sure to throw in a few party specifics too.
Let's get started.
First Party Steps
Before you sent out a single invitation, you learned the correct food calculation requirements necessary in order for everyone to get enough to eat - based on the number of people you're inviting.
For most parties, the typical number of guests who will actually show up is approximately 80%. And now that you know that, you have an estimate of how much food to buy (or order, whichever applies) and the best way to display it within your space.
Different types of parties call for different types of party appetizers and snacks. If you're planning a party for a child, you'll want to serve that's kid and waste-friendly; meaning food that they'll like and served in a style that will help cut down on waste.
Party Appetizers & Snacks for Kids: Kids Parties 101
Cubed Meat and Cheese Tray - You won't go wrong when you serve platters of easy to make ham and turkey cubes (loaded with more turkey than ham), and Swiss and cheddar cheese cubes.
Kid's Classic PB&J Sandwiches - For the fussy eaters, serve PB&J sandwiches (that's peanut butter and jelly, for those of you who didn't know). Or, add a twist. Make PB&J quesadillas instead. Irregardless to which ones you choose to serve, make it fun. Cut them into various shapes with a cookie cutter. Kids love this kind of thing.
Kids Fruit Platter - Staying healthy, serve a platter chock full of succulent orange slices, pineapple wedges, fresh strawberries, red and green grapes. Add a bowl of vanilla yogurt in the center of the fruit for them to use as a dip.
Mud, Dirt and Worm Cup Platter - Keeping it fun, make an easy to make gross platter of pudding, cookies and Gummy candy. Or, if you're in the mood - allow them to be "hands on" and make a "mud, dirt, and worm kit" where the ingredients are in separate bowls for the kids to make their dessert themselves. On a platter, place two bowls of chocolate pudding with one bowl of vanilla pudding in the center. Strategically add two bowls - one of crushed chocolate chip cookies and one of crushed Oreo cookies. Place the crumbled cookies in between smaller bowls of worm-shaped flavored of Gummies.
Party Appetizers & Snacks for Adults
Here's where I'll go over some things paramount to entertaining in style (in my humble opinion). To start, of course you want to have something for everyone. Be sure to include something tasty for your vegetarian guests. And don't forget to especially consider what you'll serve those who you know suffering from food allergies.When you balance your menu, each of your special guests will find something that he or she loves.
Now that you've gotten your food quantity amounts out of the way, you're deciding what you'll want to serve. If you find all of this to be a tediously enormous amount of work, job it out (order food from your favorite restaurant or get your friends to chip in).
But maybe you're a control freak, like me. I hate the idea of food being provided by outside sources. I have several reasons for this, but one that makes me almost want to break out in hives at the thought is someone saying, "If you take it out of the container, it will probably won't look good. I'm just warning you."
The idea of placing a Tupperware container on a food buffet table makes me feel sick. No kidding.
Forgive me. I'm "old school" in how I think about parties or "putting on the dog", as they say. The caterer and event planner in me likes to make obvious "eye candy, culinary-to-die-for party statements". My position is this: If I'm going to throw something together that looks like Aunt Faye and Cousin Martha threw it together, then never mind. Why bother? I think it's important to have "buffet-continuity" in order for things to look delicious and taste great.
Always remember, we eat with our eyes first.
I've amassed a collection of beautiful catering serving pieces, - some in duplicate and several, in some cases - in triplicate. And, it doesn't make sense to call myself a "professional caterer", yet have it look like I know nothing about food presentation. That doesn't compute.
What are you supposed to do if you don't have "catering gear" (platters, linen, etc.)?
You have a few options. You can use what most folks call "the good stuff" (stuff... that I don't know why on earth they're saving!). Or, you can use someone (who trusts you implicitly) else's "good stuff". Or, you can go to your local party rental and place an order. You'll be surprised at how inexpensive it is to go the "rental" route. I've done it before. It was years ago, before I began purchasing my own items.
Next... Let's talk "food".
For a non-theme party, here are a few basic appetizers and snacks that are easy to assemble and serve.
Antipasto & Olive Appetizer Platter - Think Mediterranean diet, kind of. This is a platter with fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, dolmas, hummus, pita wedges, and of course premium green and Kalamata olives.
Bruschetta and Tapanade with Garlic Hummus Platter - This is a popular trio, that also features Mediterranean flavored appetizers. To make garlic hummus, make traditional hummus first - then load it with minced garlic and add a small pool of olive oil on top. Your guests can mix the garlic into it. Serve both plain hummus and garlic hummus. Place bowls of these three delicious appetizers on a platter, add rustic crostini and you're good to go. Super easy.
Spinach Dip Platter - Take one, big sourdough bread round - hollow it out, then fill it with creamy homemade spinach dip or spinach/artichoke dip. Serve it warm or room temperature. When it's served straight from the refrigerator, because it's cold - it loses a lot of it's great flavor. Serve with lots of sliced baguette rounds.
Mexican Fiesta Dip Platter - Another rock solid appetizer "classic". This combination of tangy salsa layered with hearty beans and grated cheese, laced with sour cream and topped with diced tomatoes and green onion slices is a party staple that people seem to never get tired of. Serve it with loads of fresh, crunchy tortilla chips.
1950's Deviled Eggs Platter - Savory and rich this retro-appetizer is an easy to make (egg whites filled one day ahead - unfilled, made in advance two at the most). Two dozen egg halves serves 12 to 16 people.
Shrimp Cocktail & Sushi Platter - Luxe jumbo shrimp and sushi go hand-in-hand. Make sure your seafood is fresh and that the shrimp cocktail sauce is nice and cold. And, don't forget to have lots of fresh lemon wedges on hand. Most grocery stores have fresh sushi, made on the premises. Place a special order for your party. Super-duper easy.
Creamy Tuna Spread Platter - Popular at many of my personal parties, this tuna spread is delicious and really easy to make. After catering for others, this is a nice appetizer to serve because people like it and it only takes a few minutes to make.
Carlo's Creamy Tuna Spread
(Printable Recipe)
Makes 2 - 1/2 cups
2 cans (12 0z.) Albacore tuna, drained
2 pkg. (16 0z.) Philadelphia brand cream cheese, at room temperature
8 tablespoons of sour cream
2 pkg. Good Seasons Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix
1 teaspoon dry basil
In a mixing bowl with a mixer or food processor, mix all ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until serving or up to 2 days. Serve with Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat Thin crackers.
Getting back to core values, having a party is a good way to connect with the people that you care about. And for most people these days, planning, shopping, and cooking for your own DIY party is all a part of the downsizing process.
Whatever you do, start early. Stick to what you know best if you run short on time. Cook with love. And, do whatever you can to enjoy the process.
Image source: Carlo At Your Service Productions
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