Appetizers, as a general rule, should be only two or three bites in size.
Imaginative appetizers make an impressive statement at a party. These small bites set the tone for the coming meal, often for the whole event. Whether a hostess is looking for a simple tray to serve to a few of her friends before dinner, or hosting a large event with strolling appetizers as the food focus, these whimsical twists on classic dishes will be a hit with every guest.
Portable Caprese Salad
Instead of serving the same old cheese or veggie tray to guests, this appetizer offers the same elements with a playful twist. Based on a Caprese salad, which is slices of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes, this starter is served in kebab form, small pieces on a stick. The host chops mozzarella into cubes and slides a piece of the cheese onto a skewer, followed by a cherry tomato, substituting for tomato slices. He adds basil leaves to the skewers for color, and a light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper for seasoning. A tray of these Mediterranean-inspired skewers provides both cheese and veggies to guests in a way that's easy to assemble and requires no cooking.
Asian Flavors
An appetizer tray that follows the dinner cuisine theme is a delicious way to kick off a meal. For an evening of Asian delights, a hostess serving a dinner of stir fry or fried rice can begin with a tray of two Asian favorites, pot stickers and egg rolls. Pot stickers are dumplings made from won ton wrappers, filled traditionally with minced pork. Egg roll wrappers come in many sizes and are filled with meats and veggies before being fried. Both pot stickers and egg rolls have many recipes, including vegetarian versions and others that contain different meats. For the hostess wishing to throw a no-fuss soiree, both of these items can be found in the frozen food section of the supermarket.
Surf and Turf
This appetizer tray would be ideal for a cocktail event where a full dinner is not being served. Traditionally, these types of gatherings may offer "heavy appetizers," so guests enjoying cocktails have something a bit more substantial to eat than a stalk of celery. This simple twist makes an appetizer out of a much loved classic entree. A surf and turf appetizer tray consists of steak bites, made from sliced beef sirloin, and grilled shrimp. This delicious combination can be presented as is, with simple salt and pepper seasoning to bring out flavors, or marinated with a sauce like Teriyaki or garlic sweet and sour. The host serves this tray as either separate steak and shrimp bites on toothpicks, or he can line them up on skewers. This starter requires simple grilling, but has a big wow factor with guests.
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