Suggestions Welcome... Hosting A Partywhat To Serve

Suggestions welcome...

gratefulgroove 16 years ago

I'm in desperate need of appetizer/finger food recipes for a party I'm throwing (for my mom's 60th).
Casual, easy-to-make and served-cold recipes would be best, although a few warm dishes can be thrown in there.
I've got a few things planned, but I do need more...I would be so grateful for any of your ideas!

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bitsyskitchen 16 years ago said:

These are from my website under appetizers. I have tons more.....

Bruschetta

1 loaf Italian bead, sliced lengthwise
4 tomatoes, chopped
1 (8 oz.) jar artichoke hearts, quartered
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz. Feta cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Place sliced bread under the broiler in the oven and toast until just brown. Remove bread.
Combine tomatoes, basil, parsley, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper together and mix well. Pour the tomato mixture evenly over bread, add black olives, artichoke hearts and Feta cheese.
Place bread back under broiler for 2 minutes being careful not to burn the bread.
Remove bread from oven and allow to cool for several minutes so you can slice and serve warm.

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Cheesy Spinach Pinwheels

3/4 pound feta cheese, grated
2 (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 box Filo dough

Mix cheese and spinach. Take 3 sheets of filo, spray with buttered flavored pam, or melt unsalted butter and brush with butter. Cut filo into 8 strips going lengthwise. Put 1/2 tsp. of spinach mixture in lower corner and then fold one corner up and so on, How one would fold a flag. Instructions on folding on filo box. Then spray or brush with butter. Place on cookie sheet and freeze. When frozen place in zip lock bag. When ready to cook, place on cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350° F.

These are good warm or at room temp.
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Green Pepper/Cream Cheese Spread

1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese (can substitute light cream cheese)
1 (6 ounce) jar pepper jelly

Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Pour pepper jelly over cream cheese. Serve on crackers.
Serves 6

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Spicy Cheddar Cheese Balls

3/4 cup flour
1-1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Roll into balls one inch in diameter and place in ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 - 15 minutes.
Makes 4 - 5 dozen

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skystone 16 years ago said:

Bisquick Sausage Balls

2 cups Bisquick
1 pound sausage
10 oz. pack of shredded cheese (or just shred your own from a block of cheddar)
Directions:

Put everything in the bowl and mix. This is easiest to do with your hands though it feels pretty gross at this stage.

Roll the mixture into balls, a little smaller than golf balls.

Place the sausage balls on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degress F for about 20 minutes. The Bisquick balls should be lightly browned wtih the meat cooked through.

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skystone 16 years ago said:

I am not fond of the usual pigs in a blanket, fortunately the bakery in our little town makes fabulous piggies...plain and jalapeno. Paula Hayward, the owner makes her own dough to wrap around her famous piggies, noted in food reviews as far away as Austin!

I am sure you could skip the usual crescent rolls and imitate Paula's art. Just make a yeast dough, roll it out, cut it in a squares, and fill with 2 small sausages inside (about 1/2 the size of a hot dog) and fold into a triangle. Try to find a non-greasy sausage for the filling. The finished size is about 4 inches on the long side of the triangle.

You could easily make these ahead of time, and although good when warm, they do not need to be heated.

Better yet, come visit the Texas Hill Country and the Bear Moon Bakery! We are fortunate to be very popular with co-workers down in San Antonio, who look forward to a box of Paula's best piggies.

All the best for your party!

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notyourmomma 16 years ago said:

Have you thought of wheels of brie, carmelized on top with apricot preserves and chopped walnuts with assorted crackers? Very little work, impressive to look at and delicious to eat. Are you aiming for a buffet style array of foods?

If you are doing the food buffet style, I'd recommend setting the food up in stations spread around the room, so people can flow and move easily and there isn't a cafeteria line at the one buffet. How many are going to be at the party?

How wonderful to be hosting such a wonderful event. What a terrific way to treat your mom.

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gratefulgroove 16 years ago said:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!!! This is going to be great!!!

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