Hosting ladies night - looking for small plates/apps/trays

[Anonymous]

I'm the "poor" of the group and the last one taking a turn hosting. All lovely friends. I'm willing and able to offer a bit nice spread but I'm not creative or accomplished at entertaining. So, looking for suggestions to order a couple trays from somewhere and/or some nice easy-ish app/small plate suggestions. We have a couple vegetarians. Fewer than 15 in the group.

[Anonymous]

Do have a Costco membership?

[Anonymous]

Dry crackers. Everything else is gross.

[Anonymous]

If you want to save money and impress, I realllllly like Trader Joe's crudites. Maybe others can chime in but get these:

Jar of roasted red peppers
Jar of grilled green olives
Jar of roasted artichokes
Other grilled veg (I think there are some in the freezer section-- thaw and drain well)

Put it all on a plate and add some cheeses, some grapes, some marcona almonds and chili lime cashews and then crostini or the fancy fig rosemary crackers and some water crackers

Sauces/dips can include hummus, tzakiki, harissa, etc.

I'm sure people will put it down, but it's a nice spread with lots of choices, veg/vegan friendly and can be very healthy for people watching diets. It's also less $$ than prepped platters, but you need some prep time.

[Anonymous]

Sushi from sams club
Veggie tray
Crackers and dips from Trader Joe’s

[Anonymous]

Wegmans has nice party platters.

[Anonymous]

You can get frozen apps from TJs and a crudite platter from a grocery store. Done.

[Anonymous]

I would go to Trader Joe’s and buy some nibbles. But — does your group actually eat? I always arrange a nice cheese plate, fruit, sweets, etc. for my book club and it basically all goes uneaten. I have started to realize it can be pretty perfunctory since it’s just for show.

If I had a group that actually ate I’d focus more on hummus, pita, olives, chicken skewers, Israeli salad…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money and impress, I realllllly like Trader Joe's crudites. Maybe others can chime in but get these:

Jar of roasted red peppers
Jar of grilled green olives
Jar of roasted artichokes
Other grilled veg (I think there are some in the freezer section-- thaw and drain well)

Put it all on a plate and add some cheeses, some grapes, some marcona almonds and chili lime cashews and then crostini or the fancy fig rosemary crackers and some water crackers

Sauces/dips can include hummus, tzakiki, harissa, etc.

I'm sure people will put it down, but it's a nice spread with lots of choices, veg/vegan friendly and can be very healthy for people watching diets. It's also less $$ than prepped platters, but you need some prep time.

Yep, this is what I would do. This would make me SO happy, and same for all my friends. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I do the above TJs spread for my friends, and it gets eaten. Their spanakopita is good too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money and impress, I realllllly like Trader Joe's crudites. Maybe others can chime in but get these:

Jar of roasted red peppers
Jar of grilled green olives
Jar of roasted artichokes
Other grilled veg (I think there are some in the freezer section-- thaw and drain well)

Put it all on a plate and add some cheeses, some grapes, some marcona almonds and chili lime cashews and then crostini or the fancy fig rosemary crackers and some water crackers

Sauces/dips can include hummus, tzakiki, harissa, etc.

I'm sure people will put it down, but it's a nice spread with lots of choices, veg/vegan friendly and can be very healthy for people watching diets. It's also less $$ than prepped platters, but you need some prep time.

Yes Trader Joes is made for this. You can also do a small tray of proscitto or other salty meats. Manchego is always a popular cheese (just pre-slice it for ease) and arrange it all on a plate. They have awesome nuts too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money and impress, I realllllly like Trader Joe's crudites. Maybe others can chime in but get these:

Jar of roasted red peppers
Jar of grilled green olives
Jar of roasted artichokes
Other grilled veg (I think there are some in the freezer section-- thaw and drain well)

Put it all on a plate and add some cheeses, some grapes, some marcona almonds and chili lime cashews and then crostini or the fancy fig rosemary crackers and some water crackers

Sauces/dips can include hummus, tzakiki, harissa, etc.

I'm sure people will put it down, but it's a nice spread with lots of choices, veg/vegan friendly and can be very healthy for people watching diets. It's also less $$ than prepped platters, but you need some prep time.

Yes Trader Joes is made for this. You can also do a small tray of proscitto or other salty meats. Manchego is always a popular cheese (just pre-slice it for ease) and arrange it all on a plate. They have awesome nuts too.

+1 and those tiny marinated mozzarella balls. Add toothpicks.

[Anonymous]

my book club will devour a bake brie

[Anonymous]

I get so confused in Trader Joes. I see it recommended here and have gone in only to leave empty handed.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to assemble something yourself Wegman's offers charcuterie boards, and also does a mediterranean tray, with dolmades, etc.

If you are near Arlington you could get some things from the Lebanese Taverna Market https://www.lebanesetaverna.com/lebanese-taverna-platters-1