What are some simple snack/lunch ideas when I have company?!
Answers: I am having a Home and Garden party this weekend and need some simple, yet tasty ideas of things I can serve my guests. Thanks in advance!
finger foods are best for a non formal affair (people can stand, eat, and mingle at their leasure...) Veggie platters with dip is always a winner, a good fruit salad, spinach puff pastries (aka spanikopita), mini quiches (usually found in the frozen section of the grocery store,) a cold cuts and cheese platter with a basket of rolls and condiments out so people could make their own individual sandwiches, crackers and cheese... the possibilities are endless.
Try to keep thinks as simple as possible though, so you can spend as much time as possible visiting with your guests rather than be stuck in the kitchen spending a lot of time preparing food. Have a great time!
CREAM CHEESE APPETZERS
INGREDIENTS
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup Jamaican hot pepper sauce
assorted snack crackers
DIRECTIONS
Place the cream cheese onto the center of a plate, and pour the hot pepper sauce over so that it drips down the sides. Serve with assorted crackers.
DEVILED EGGS
INGREDIENTS
6 eggs
1 (4.5 ounce) can deviled ham
1-1/2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 pinch black pepper
12 slices black olives
Paprika for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS
Place egg in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, and peel.
Cut eggs in half lengthwise, place the yolks into a mixing bowl, and set the whites aside. Mash the yolks with the deviled ham, mustard, mayonnaise, and black pepper. Spoon or pipe filling into egg white halves. Garnish each deviled egg with an olive slice, then sprinkle with paprika.
Maybe you should just buy a vegetable/fruit tray or serve appetizers like deviled eggs or bacon appetizer crecents
http://food.yahoo.com/recipes/allrecipes...
http://food.yahoo.com/recipes/kraft/5721...
panini sandwiches are good, quiche,(my personal fav.how old is the company that your having over age range? if it's kids, mac and cheese or grilled cheese.if it's adults,what i said above.hope lunch works out!
I would serve a cold salad, either bean , garden or pasta along with chicken wings (they sell them ready to cook at Smart and Final) and a veggie tray , you can pick that up at a market. Toss in some rolls or bread if you like. This will fill your guest up and not drain your pocket. It also makes for a lovely buffet setting to allow your guest to serve themselves , so make sure you have a nice table cloth and use your best serving dishes and trays. Add a centerpiece of flowers or fruit to accent your table decor. Good luck! I love entertaining!
Here's what I served at a Garden Party I had awhile back:
Pinwheels, Fruit Kabobs, Tomato Skewers, Garden Dip, and Mini Veggie Pockets. I used new terra cotta saucers as trays and used terra cotta pots to hold the utensils and flowers. It was a hit and everyone raved!
Pinwheels:
Stir together cream cheese, chopped black olives, chopped scallions, and finely chopped deli meat. Spread onto flavored flour tortillas, roll, and refrigerate at least an hour. Cut into 1 inch rounds just before serving.
Fruit Kabobs:
Alternate strawberries, grapes, and pineapple chunks on bamboo skewers.
Tomato Skewers:
Alternate grape or cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls (or cubes), and basil leaves onbamboo skewers. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar...salt and pepper to taste.
Garden Dip:
Jazz up any storebought dip (or make your own) with fresh herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Serve in a hollowed out pepper or round bread, and serve with crunchy breadsticks, veggie sticks, etc.
Mini Veggie Pockets:
Mix together any veggies you like, finely chopped or shredded (I like the broccoli slaw mix from the produce section) along with any seasonings (I like Mrs Dash). Drop by small spoonful onto wonton wrappers. Wet the edges of the wrappers, fold (either into triangles or rectangles) and seal the edges with a fork. Deep fry or bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until they are light golden brown.
An easy but elegant drink to serve is White Punch, unless you plan on serving tea.
White Punch:
Combine a 2L bottle of cream soda, a large bottle of white grape juice, and a bottle of champagne (for alcoholic version) or 2L ginger ale (non alcoholic version).
Good luck and have fun!
