Appetizer Menu Ideas for a Party

Appetizers start off a party.

Appetizers are served to keep hunger at bay while guests mingle at a party before dinner is served. The food is bite-size and usually doesn't require a knife and fork -- sometimes not even a plate. An array of appetizers could even take the place of dinner. Replenish platters often so the food doesn't look picked over.

Classics

Cheese, deli meats and relish trays are classic appetizers for good reason. They have universal appeal and they're prepared ahead of time. Update the relish tray by including an assortment of flavored olives, rather than the green olives stuffed with pimentos, pickles, celery and carrot sticks. Go a little over the top with the deli meat tray and wrap prosciutto ham around a breadstick for an appetizer on the go. Spread salami slices with cream cheese and roll them up into a cylinder. Offer cheeses you know most of the guests will like, such as cheddar, and a few that are a bit different to add variety and zest.

Healthy

Include a selection of low-fat, nonfat, low-sugar foods for those who have dietary restrictions. It's a considerate gesture to label the dish as such. It's not possible to look at a bowl of dip and know it's healthier because it's made with nonfat cottage cheese or yogurt rather than full-fat sour cream. Grouping these healthier appetizers makes it less tempting for guests to stray from their diets. Pay extra attention to garnishing the dishes so they look just as delicious as the other appetizers. A fresh fruit tray is healthy, but since this is a party, include more unusual fruits such as baby pineapples, kiwi, star fruit, mangoes and Asian pears.

Food Bars

Offer your guests the ingredients to put together their own tacos, sandwiches or chili bowls. Choose a main dish, such as chili. Offer a spicy and mild version, or perhaps a red and green version, or a vegetarian and a meat chili. Spread out toppings such as shredded cheese, corn chips, chopped onions, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, rice and spaghetti. Use small bowls so the serving size stays within appetizer range. Use the smallest size taco shells for the same reason, and cocktail-size bread slices or mini buns.

Cook Their Own

Of course you don't want your guests to have to grill their own steaks, but letting them join in preparing at least one of the appetizers breaks the ice and gets the party cooking as well as the guests. Look for no muss, no fuss dishes. Consider an updated Mongolian hot pot. Bring seasoned broth to a boil and place in a chafing dish with a burner that will keep the broth at a simmer. Arrange slices of raw beef, seafood and vegetables on a plate with chopsticks. Guests spear their choice of food and cook it by putting it in the hot broth.

References

• "Party Food"; Barbara Kafka; 1992
• "Special Occasions"; John Hadamuscin; 1988