Easy. Impressive. Appetizers

In my family, we always have enough appetizers to suffice for a meal. We did go through a skinny stage (briefly) where we actually ate the appetizers for the meal, but quickly we worked that main dish right back in. See the Easter Top 5 post if you want a good example! 

The key in having a successful appetizer party is having several no-brainers to go with one or two longer cooking, or more time-consuming recipes OR skip those long ones all together! Here are some of my favorite types of recipes that I like to serve. I will give you a few concrete examples and pictures too... but to see even more recipes and ideas, check out My Pinterest Page. 

Party appetizers that work well include:

Bite size puffs, quiches and meatballs

Pizza type dishes that are cut it up in bite size pieces

Dips & spreads

Dippers:  Fresh veggies, crackers, bread sticks, pretzels, chips, or bread rounds
Cheese Tray with several types of cheeses or one special one
Meat Tray with several types and some sauces for dipping 

Meat and cheese tray with a combo of sausages, cheeses & mustards or sauces for dipping

Fruit Tray - with fruit kabobs or fruit and a dipping sauce 
Cheese & fruit tray – pick two types of cheeses and add grapes, strawberries and or pineapple

Seafood platter with Shrimp or Salmon with dipping sauces

Meat Balls  

Crock pot them up, or put them on a platter with a toothpick stuck in each one. There is something about a meat ball that every meat eater loves.

You can make your own meatball recipe,  or buy them pre-made. Personally I prefer the party or appetizer size (small scoop if you are making them) one bite is better than two bites when you are standing, juggling a plate, a napkin and a drink.


Cheese Tray  

I wrote an entire blog post about Brie cheese. 
So many options so little time, feel free to add a favorite sauce on top or in the 
middle... heat, leave room temp... Check out the post to see more ideas: Brie Lovers Blog Post

Naked Brie

Hot Pizza Dip 

Hot Pizza Dip - easiest recipe ever... layer cheeses and pizza sauce or marinara, add whatever toppings are in the fridge. 

Fruit tray - whether you cube, slice or just put grapes and strawberries on a platter... a fun center piece is the head of a pineapple.  It just makes it festive. I love the kabobs, because they are easy and you can always have someone help you make them up - think of your mother's helper or the helpful friend that says "what can I do to help?"... "You can skewer up some fruit for me!" (is what you will say back to them!)



For more recipe ideas check out my Pinterest Page . There are some great ideas that I have picked up from clever people along the way. But I always say "You are only as good as your resources!"  Enjoy!