Favorite store-bought or no-effort appetizers

[Anonymous]

I’m cooking a big family dinner in a few weeks. Some people are staying overnight, and others are arriving from out of town. So people will be gathering a few hours before the actual meal.

The meal itself is time-intensive, so I want to set out a few things that are store-bought or no-effort. My one food restriction: no peanuts or tree nuts due to some guests’ allergies. Thank you for suggestions!

[Anonymous]

The little mozzarella balls in spices and oils from Costco. Out in a platter with cherry tomatoes. Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) come in cans as well. I also love cheese straws from TJs and aldi. Serve with some other crackers and stick a packet of Boursin cheese onto a board.
A variety of olives on a tray as well.
I do love cheese so all my apps are cheesy.

[Anonymous]

Premade charcuterie platter from Wegmans

[Anonymous]

Trader Joe’s has a bunch of good options in the frozen section. I think I got some carmelised onion goat cheese mini tarts that were a big hit.

[Anonymous]

Olives, peppers from the olive bar, flatbread crackers or cheese sticks, some cheese, maybe some sliced hard salami, and some grapes.

[Anonymous]

Pita chips, crackers, cheese, olives, and veggies with hummus, tzatziki, and ranch for dipping

Baguette and butter

salami and prosciutto

Grapes and melon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m cooking a big family dinner in a few weeks. Some people are staying overnight, and others are arriving from out of town. So people will be gathering a few hours before the actual meal.

The meal itself is time-intensive, so I want to set out a few things that are store-bought or no-effort. My one food restriction: no peanuts or tree nuts due to some guests’ allergies. Thank you for suggestions!

For no effort - order from le pain quotidien catering. They deliver, it looks presentable and you can choose nut free options.

[Anonymous]

Chips and salsa

[Anonymous]

Similar to above - crackers with cheese and dips and spreads (look at trader Joe's for unique and inexpensive ones) . Olives. Fruit and veggies (grapes, sliced pear, berries). Dried fruit. I do nuts, but you can skip that. Chips and dip/salsa.

You can do some frozen hot apps too, but it's still extra effort and oven space.

[Anonymous]

Frozen at trader Joe's I like

Mini quiches
Spanikopita
Gyoza
Samosas
Some of the flatbreads are good and you can slice them into appetizer sized pieces

In fridge:
Goat Gouda
Hummus and carrots and cucumbers

[Anonymous]

Sour cream and onion dip with ruffles, chips and guacamole/salsa, cut veggies, and a big cheese plate with crackers, dried fruit, grapes, and olives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The little mozzarella balls in spices and oils from Costco. Out in a platter with cherry tomatoes. Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) come in cans as well. I also love cheese straws from TJs and aldi. Serve with some other crackers and stick a packet of Boursin cheese onto a board.
A variety of olives on a tray as well.
I do love cheese so all my apps are cheesy.

Yes! They also sell an olive, red pepper, artichoke appetizer thing that is great.

[Anonymous]

Cava dips with toasted pita bread

[Anonymous]

A vote against the frozen offerings at Trader Joe's - I personally am disappointed every time I eat one of those little quiches or spanikopitas. I think you are much better served by fresh stuff like cheeses, olives, meats, etc. Agree w/ a PP that you can get a pre-made one at Wegman's if you don't want to put it together yourself.

[Anonymous]

Ritz crackers, slab of cream cheese (or log of goat cheese) and hot pepper jelly

Tub of hummus, sliced cucumbers and baby carrots, pita chips

cheeses, pepperoni/salami, crackers, olives

I like many of the frozen apps at TJs but in this situation I would not bother.