Great make-ahead appetizers for holiday cocktail party

[Anonymous]

shrimp cocktail
guacamole and chips (if you store it correctly it will keep in fridge for a day no problem)
nice charcuterie board (please do not buy Costco cheese...it is not hard to get decent cheese and put it out)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:shrimp cocktail
guacamole and chips (if you store it correctly it will keep in fridge for a day no problem)
nice charcuterie board (please do not buy Costco cheese...it is not hard to get decent cheese and put it out)

I like the Costco Manchego.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just buy frozen apps from Trader Joe's. So much easier, and very tasty.

This board is interesting. It judges people who eat out or don’t make every meal super healthy and from scratch. Yet always suggests frozen TJs appetizers when people are hosting. The very time a lot of people would prefer homemade food.

It’s like they think because it comes from TJs it’s somehow better than frozen food from Costco or the grocery store.

I like the Spanikopita and the Samosas. My family prefers the TJs ones to the restaurant ones, maybe because they're less oily.

[Anonymous]

Spinach and artichoke dip and meatballs/sausage balls can be made ahead and then heated up on the day of. Seven layer dip can be made ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:shrimp cocktail
guacamole and chips (if you store it correctly it will keep in fridge for a day no problem)
nice charcuterie board (please do not buy Costco cheese...it is not hard to get decent cheese and put it out)

I like the Costco Manchego.

+1

Honestly, I’d rather snack on cheese boards with a variety of cheeses than eat the previously frozen stuff. The cheese is easier to provide as well.

[Anonymous]

Stuffed dates

[Anonymous]

Spinach balls

[Anonymous]

Honestly? Pigs in blankets are always the first to disappear whenever we host. I use mini cocktail franks and crescent roll dough, put on some music and crank them out. They freeze and reheat beautifully.

[Anonymous]

Agree that TJ frozen apps have gone downhill. They used to have a few choices. Now pretty much nothing appealing. Also, the prepped apps are paltry amounts in general with wasteful packaging!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Caprese skewers! Shortcut: buy the big tub of marinated mozzarella balls @ Costco.

You’re welcome!

Who has time to put cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls on tiny toothpicks? This and "fruit kebabs" for children's parties are things that I have literally only seen her eon DCUM, nowhere else.

[Anonymous]

I had a party recently. Things that went quickly that I had to keep refilling:

Greek meatballs with tzatziki
Shrimp and crab with cocktail sauce
Pizza. I ordered it from a place that does Neapolitan style and asked them to cut it in squares so it would be easier
Cheese and charcuterie
Cannoli

[Anonymous]

Prosciutto and shredded gruyere pinwheels made with puff pastry. They freeze easily and you can make a lot.

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/prosciuitto-and-gruyere-pastry-pinwheels

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Caprese skewers! Shortcut: buy the big tub of marinated mozzarella balls @ Costco.

You’re welcome!

Who has time to put cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls on tiny toothpicks? This and "fruit kebabs" for children's parties are things that I have literally only seen her eon DCUM, nowhere else.

Not to mention they're inappropriate for the season.

[Anonymous]

This is what Ina Garten lives for - see all of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.

[Anonymous]

Stuffed mushrooms
Lamb meatballs
Salmon with dill on toast square/points

Devils on horseback: bacon wrapped dates with or without dab of blue cheese

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