A Beginner’s Guide to Versatile Appetizer Ideas

            Your first attempt at organizing a party is exciting, but can be daunting as well when you set out to plan appetizer ideas and menu offerings.  Food, after all, is the single most favorite item at any event!  The best course of action is to stay simple yet delicious; foods that will delight your guests yet not tie you to the kitchen.

            The type of party that is being organized can help to dictate the type of appetizers you offer.  For instance, an elegant cocktail party at which guests will be wearing expensive and chic clothing is not the venue for the messy yet delicious buffalo chicken wings that are perfect for a gathering of friends at the Super Bowl party.  That being said, there are many different variations of buffalo chicken that make it a viable appetizer offering at just about any event.  So don’t discard any appetizer ideas because it won’t fit with your theme; adapt the appetizer instead to make it appropriate!

            By varying the recipe of just about any appetizer, it can be served at any type of event you may plan.  Some of the most popular appetizers are:

●Meatballs                                       ●Flavored chicken wings                
●Chips and dip                                 ●Stuffed mushrooms
●Roll ups                                         ●Bacon wrapped scallops
●Cheese straws                               ●Fondue
●Bruschetta                                    ●Cheese plate

            The original recipes are delicious on their own; however, for a classier event, they can be dressed up to give them a more sophisticated and elegant taste and appearance.  Tweaking the ingredients can recreate entirely new appetizer ideas.

Meatballs:

Traditional  Appetizer meatballs are usually made with a mixture of ground beef, bread crumbs, egg and seasonings.  The beef balls are then simmered in a variety of different sauces:  creamy mushroom, barbeque, sweet and sour and beef, for example.  These can be prepared and served in a slow cooker for informal buffet style appetizer dining.

            Dressed up   Grilled chicken herb meatballs can easily be served as a dressier version of the typical beef meatball.  Ground chicken (or ground turkey) combined with a mixture of mayonnaise, fresh rosemary and chopped garlic and then grilled make a delicious variation.  Serve on toothpicks alongside additional mayonnaise that has been flavored with rosemary and garlic.

Chicken Wings:      

            Traditional  The great thing about chicken wings is their versatility.  Fresh wings sections can be purchased in the meat case at the grocery store, flavored and cooked at home, or frozen wings already flavored can be purchased and heated at home.  A variety of flavors can be used:  buffalo, traditional, sweet and sour or barbeque are the most popular. 

            Dressed up   Boneless chicken thighs are a flavorful and juicy portion of the chicken, and compares well to the flavor of chicken wings.  Cut into bite sized sections, breaded and flavored with any choice of seasonings, these delicious “chicken wing” bites can easily be eaten in a more elegant setting without fear of making a mess.

Chips and Dip:

            Traditional   Few appetizer ideas can be easier than the old standby, chips and dip.  Potato chips along with a creamy dip either purchased ready made or a homemade recipe is a favorite snack item.  Another variation also rates high on the snack meter is tortilla chips and salsa.  Little to no preparation is needed; simply open and pour to enjoy.

            Dressed up   A jazzed up version of chips and dip are vegetable chips.  Made with real vegetables such as sweet potato, beets, squash, turnips, carrots and parsnips, these delicious, nutritious and classier chips can easily be made at home.  Sliced thinly, sprayed with olive oil and seasoned with any type of herb before being dried in a low, slow oven, these chips will dry to a tasty finish.  Serve with red pepper dip.

Stuffed Mushrooms:

            Traditional   Easy to eat, stuffed mushrooms usually are made with white mushrooms, breadcrumbs and cheese.  They can be made ahead and are fun finger foods that are as nutritious as they are delicious.

            Dressed up  Cremini mushrooms, or baby portabellas, provide the perfect base for a crab and Havarti cheese stuffing.  Using white crab meat, garlic, onion, parsley, Tabasco, white wine and olive oil, stuff the baby portabellas; mounding slightly.  Top with thinly sliced “sticks” of Havarti cheese, bake and serve for a classier version of stuffed mushrooms.