Winning Appetizers for Your Dinner Party

Planning a dinner party and entertaining guests does not have to be a harrowing experience. Stick with recipes you’ve had success with in the past. Never try out a new recipe at a dinner party without experimenting with it first. The kind of food you serve will depend on the occasion and the number of guests you plan on inviting. If you know the people, inquire about any food allergies to avoid including them on the menu.

Starting with Appetizers

All dinner parties begin with appetizers. Guests nibble on hors d’oeuvres while waiting to sit down, chatting and discussing various topics. Offer a variety of appetizers, but avoid overwhelming guests. These appetizers are meant to be a taste of your exquisite culinary skills. Consider the following suggestions:

1. Fruit and Yogurt Dip:
   • Ingredients:
     • Assorted fresh fruits (such as strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and melon)
     • Greek yogurt
     • Honey (optional, for sweetness)
   • Instructions:
     1. Wash and cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces.
     2. Serve the fruits alongside a bowl of Greek yogurt.
     3. Drizzle honey over the yogurt if desired.
     4. Dip the fruits into the yogurt and enjoy!
2. Vegetable Tray with Dipping Sauce:
   • Ingredients:
     • Assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrot sticks)
     • Hummus or ranch dressing (for dipping)
   • Instructions:
     1. Wash and cut the vegetables into sticks or bite-sized pieces.
     2. Arrange them on a serving tray.
     3. Serve with a side of hummus or ranch dressing for dipping.
3. Crab Legs with Seafood Sauce:
   • Ingredients:
     • Fresh crab legs (pre-cooked)
     • Seafood sauce (store-bought or homemade)
   • Instructions:
     1. Steam or boil the crab legs until heated through.
     2. Serve the crab legs with a side of seafood sauce for dipping.
4. Bruschetta:
   • Ingredients:
     • Baguette or Italian bread, sliced
     • Ripe tomatoes, diced
     • Fresh basil leaves, chopped
     • Garlic cloves, minced
     • Olive oil
     • Balsamic vinegar (optional)
   • Instructions:
     1. Toast the bread slices.
     2. In a bowl, mix diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil.
     3. Spoon the tomato mixture onto the toasted bread.
     4. Optionally, drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
     5. Serve as bite-sized appetizers.
5. Pineapple and Mandarin Orange Kabobs:
   • Ingredients:
     • Fresh pineapple chunks
     • Mandarin orange segments
     • Cooked ham cubes
     • Skewers (metal or soaked bamboo)
   • Instructions:
     1. Thread alternating pieces of pineapple, mandarin orange, and ham onto the skewers.
     2. Grill or broil the kabobs until lightly charred.
     3. Serve warm as a delightful appetizer or snack.

Serving Strategies

Choose how to serve the appetizers based on your space and preferences:

• Trays: If you have a large room, place trays of appetizers at various points (tables, coffee tables, etc.).
• Personal Service: Serve appetizers as you work your way through the guests, allowing you to chat with each one and make them feel welcome.

Remember to provide plenty of napkins for your guests’ convenience!