Planning a menu for a party can be a great adventure in tastes and textures. There are so many different themes for parties, and the number of menu items that can be served on is increasing every day. If variety is the spice of life, then party trays are a flavor mecca.
Cold Trays
Many foods can be showcased on party trays, and most, if not all, of those food styles are labeled as finger foods. These finger foods can have some of the most delicious qualities, including savory, hot and spicy, salty, tart, crisp, hot, cold, soft and crunchy. Serve a combination of hot and cold items at your party for contrasting tastes. It also will give the hostess time to prepare the hot foods while the cold items are being enjoyed.
For cold appetizers, serve simple but delicious items. Choose cherry tomatoes with crab or chicken salad, or deviled eggs with nontraditional ingredients such as bacon and cheddar cheese or sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Make a cheese ball with dots made with a strawberry huller. Fill salami or prosciutto slices with an herb and cream cheese filling. Consider pesto-stuffed mushrooms and olive skewers. Shrimp that is marinated and grilled before the party can be served cold with a delicious savory sauce for dipping.
Canapés
Canapés, which are comprised of toppings on a bread or crust base, are delicious and quick to prepare before a party. The base of the canapés is determined by the topping and can be bread, crackers or other foods. Spread the base with flavored butters, cream cheese infused with seafood and herbs, or paté. The final step is placing seafood, herbs, vegetables or meat as a topper.
Hot Ideas
Hot appetizers are delicious options for a party tray. Consider mushrooms stuffed with Italian sausage, Parmesan cheese and seasoning. Other ideas for mushroom stuffing are pepperoni and Asiago cheese, cream cheese and pesto, or salsa. Appetizer pizzas can be made with flour tortillas, a layer of pesto, sliced Roma tomatoes and shredded Asiago cheese, then cut into eight triangles. Other hot favorites are Swedish meatballs, cocktail sausages in a favorite sauce, and baked salami slices sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. You might want to consider cheeseburger sliders or mini pastry shells filled with seafood, olives, meats and cheeses. And don't forget about mini quiches, savory tarts, chicken croquettes, mini tacos, ham balls, sausage rolls, crab fritters---the list goes on.
The most important factor to consider is making as much of it ahead of the party as possible. You do not want to spend your whole evening cooking. A successful party is one in which your guests are able to spend time with you.
Tags: cream cheese, party trays, Asiago cheese, , cold items, finger foods