help me with some good appetizers that are not too complicated.

[Anonymous]

husband decided to have a small cocktail party in 2 weeks (in honor of a visiting friend from out of town) and now i am scrambling for what to prepare. i am not a great cook and need some easy but elegant appetizers (about 25 people) drinks and appetizers.

[Anonymous]

Aside from having it catered, the easiest thing to do is compose vs cook.

O'Donnell's in Potomac has a wonderful crab dip. Put it in a small chafing dish with candle heat and serve with good crackers. Always gone within 10 minutes.

Cut carrots, celery, red pepper in strips. This time of year sugar snap peas are delicious. Plate per person by placing ranch dressings at the bottom of short individual cups and insert a mix of the vegetables.

Platters of sushi always goes over well. I get mine from Raku. Ask them to use multiple trays so a fresh one can be laid out as needed.

Small skewers of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Platter with drizzle of balsamic vinegar and decorate with basil.

The always present charcuterie board. Ridgewells does a good one.

The wine store on arlington rd in Bethesda makes great recommendations. Perhaps a rose since it's summer and a dry white. Also a themed cocktail or mocktails like cosmos. They can be mixed ahead of time and refrigerated. I'm not too familiar with cocktails but there must be suggestions from other posters.

Hire a helper to pick up during and clean up after. If you already have someone who helps you with the house, it's ideal. You just need some one who can help you replenish the platters.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but great suggestions!

[Anonymous]

You can order a shrimp and crab platter from Balducci’s (I am sure other places have them, too). People always love them and eat the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Trader Joe’s is your friend here. Mozzarella sticks and hot frog biscuits are both great.

[Anonymous]

Search Copycat Trader Joe’s caramelized onion - feta puff pastries.

I make this recipe allll the time. It comes together very easily. Not expensive to make a ton of them yourself. More expensive to buy them in enough quantities for a party.

[Anonymous]

Will you be serving or is this buffet style?

As has been already mentioned -charcuterie, fruit and cheese board-style presentations are timeless. Even simple additions like smoked cream cheese or a baked Brie can make these feel more elegant/ special. Focus on really good ingredients.

One of the favorites I make is a Tarte Flambée with carmelized onion, several types of bacon, apples and fresh herbs. Small pieces go a long way and people love it. You can pretty much do the same thing with store bought puff pastry and toppings of your choice too - spinach, mushrooms, etc. always top with fresh herbs and people love it.

Even elegant company loves well done meatballs or “bites”, even the laughable classics like prosciutto wrapped melon or bacon wrapped water chestnuts. People love the nostalgia with these and they’re delicious, even if not “elegant”.

Blini with sour cream and toppings are also easily prepared ahead of time.
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[Anonymous]

I go to Stella's bakery in Rockville (or similar) and buy frozen puff pastry filled with things like spinach, turkey, cheese. Bake in the oven and serve warm. Always a hit.

[Anonymous]

Caprese skewers are easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aside from having it catered, the easiest thing to do is compose vs cook.

O'Donnell's in Potomac has a wonderful crab dip. Put it in a small chafing dish with candle heat and serve with good crackers. Always gone within 10 minutes.

Cut carrots, celery, red pepper in strips. This time of year sugar snap peas are delicious. Plate per person by placing ranch dressings at the bottom of short individual cups and insert a mix of the vegetables.

Platters of sushi always goes over well. I get mine from Raku. Ask them to use multiple trays so a fresh one can be laid out as needed.

Small skewers of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Platter with drizzle of balsamic vinegar and decorate with basil.

The always present charcuterie board. Ridgewells does a good one.

The wine store on arlington rd in Bethesda makes great recommendations. Perhaps a rose since it's summer and a dry white. Also a themed cocktail or mocktails like cosmos. They can be mixed ahead of time and refrigerated. I'm not too familiar with cocktails but there must be suggestions from other posters.

Hire a helper to pick up during and clean up after. If you already have someone who helps you with the house, it's ideal. You just need some one who can help you replenish the platters.

All good and available at Wegmans.

[Anonymous]

Have it catered

[Anonymous]

Why are you scrambling when HE decided?

[Anonymous]

Easiest is to buy pre-cut, washed, organic carrot sticks and offer two different dips (but, as we learned from Seinfeld, no double-dipping !). Cut celery sticks also.

Small toasted breads (usually available in the deli section).

Shrimp.

Hard boiled eggs are available in the deli section of most stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easiest is to buy pre-cut, washed, organic carrot sticks and offer two different dips (but, as we learned from Seinfeld, no double-dipping !). Cut celery sticks also.

Small toasted breads (usually available in the deli section).

Shrimp.

Hard boiled eggs are available in the deli section of most stores.

The OP didn’t say she was serving middle aged women who hate food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aside from having it catered, the easiest thing to do is compose vs cook.

O'Donnell's in Potomac has a wonderful crab dip. Put it in a small chafing dish with candle heat and serve with good crackers. Always gone within 10 minutes.

Cut carrots, celery, red pepper in strips. This time of year sugar snap peas are delicious. Plate per person by placing ranch dressings at the bottom of short individual cups and insert a mix of the vegetables.

Platters of sushi always goes over well. I get mine from Raku. Ask them to use multiple trays so a fresh one can be laid out as needed.

Small skewers of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Platter with drizzle of balsamic vinegar and decorate with basil.

The always present charcuterie board. Ridgewells does a good one.

The wine store on arlington rd in Bethesda makes great recommendations. Perhaps a rose since it's summer and a dry white. Also a themed cocktail or mocktails like cosmos. They can be mixed ahead of time and refrigerated. I'm not too familiar with cocktails but there must be suggestions from other posters.

Hire a helper to pick up during and clean up after. If you already have someone who helps you with the house, it's ideal. You just need some one who can help you replenish the platters.

You are my hero, I'm copying this so that I can save it for the future! I really like the idea of plating some of the appetizers individually. Very elegant.