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

[Anonymous]

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

Heating up frozen apps for a dozen people can take a while if you only have one oven! Grocery store crudite platters are always gross. Ranch dip and raw cauliflower? Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You can’t beat TJs for cost and ease. Some fruit, nuts, dips, cheese and crackers and a frozen app or two and you should be fine. I love Wegmans but you will spend 3 times as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Heating up frozen apps for a dozen people can take a while if you only have one oven! Grocery store crudite platters are always gross. Ranch dip and raw cauliflower? Yuck.

Wow you are a downer. Don’t listen, OP. It is easy to eat frozen apps for 12 in one oven, just use both racks. I like those TJs frozen flatbread pizza/tarts, one is brie and mushroom I forget the other flavor. Bake one on each shelf of your oven (just flip them halfway through) and slice up into small pieces and serve.

I also think veggies and any of TJs dips are great, and it is so easy to make a delicious cheese board from their offerings - 3 cheeses (I like a hard cheddar, manchego and soft goat cheese), grapes, raspberries, marcona almonds, crackers, some salami slices.

[Anonymous]

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

Great source for crackers, cheeses and mixed nuts that won't break the bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Heating up frozen apps for a dozen people can take a while if you only have one oven! Grocery store crudite platters are always gross. Ranch dip and raw cauliflower? Yuck.

So helpful. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Adding to the Trader Joe’s recommendations.

Pre-sliced cheeses, dolmades, marinated chickpeas, Marcona almonds, pita, pre-made tzatziki, hummus, crackers, mini cucumbers, grape tomatoes…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Heating up frozen apps for a dozen people can take a while if you only have one oven! Grocery store crudite platters are always gross. Ranch dip and raw cauliflower? Yuck.

If you have a Wegman's nearby, their crudite platters are better than I've encountered elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Tiny mozz with grape tomato on tooth pick drizzled with pesto, proscuitto wrapped melon, brie/crostini with fig jam, nuts, grapes.....done....