An Easy, Elegant Appetizer Menu
You really don't have to slave all day in the kitchen to put on a cheery holiday spread. Pull together five easy recipes, festive drinks, and some ready-to-serve food, and have them on the table before Santa's little helpers can even offer to assist.
- 1. Five hours before the party
Put Holiday Meatballs in slow cooker to heat (Prep time - 5 minutes; Cook time - 5 hours on low or 4 hours on high).
Mix Cool and Spicy Southwestern Chili Dip for cheese sticks; refrigerate (Prep time - 5 minutes).
- 2. One hour and forty-five minutes before the party
Put Bar-B-Q tray in the oven to bake (Bake time - about 90 minutes from frozen).
- 3. One and one half hours before the party
Set and decorate table.
- 4. One hour before the party
Assemble cheese tray, olive, fruit, and nut platter, and dessert tray.
Make mulled cider.
- 5. Forty-five minutes before the party
Prepare and bake Sugared Butterflies (Prep time - 10 minutes; Bake time - 25 minutes).
- 6. Half an hour before the party
Prepare and bake Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Scampi (Prep time - 5 minutes; Bake time 20 minutes).
- 7. Fifteen minutes before the party
Bake Cheese Sticks (Prep time - 2 minutes; Bake time -10 minutes).
Assemble Bar-B-Q Sliders (Prep time - 10 minutes).
Pour eggnog into a punch bowl or set out drinks.
Light candles.
Arrange food on the table and put out ice.
For Guests You Will Need:
Number of appetizers servings needed:
120
Amount of meat/protein in pounds:
10
Amount of side dishes and salads in pounds:
10
Number of dessert servings needed:
20
Number of drink servings needed:
40
Great Recipes and Tips, Served Up Fresh.
Jen from Maine asks: I'm having a holiday open house with appetizers and casual drinks for three hours
Answer: Keeping cold foods cold is easier than keeping hot foods hot; with the cold foods, you can store extras i.... Continued >
