Why aren’t plentiful apps/heavy hors d'oeuvres ‘filling’?

[Anonymous]

I think it is just the mentality of eating small bites of things while standing versus sitting down and having a meal. Also, my guess is some folks just do not eat that much. As they are literally appetizers. But the real question is why go through the effort and money of serving food that you know your guests will not like? There are people who love this kind of thing and others that do not. Know your crowd.

If you are having a large party and you know just a small portion will not like it, just add some pizzas or a big sub in addition to the appetizers. For some reason people mentally consider that a meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are filling if you eat enough of them, it's just that some people would rather have a few bites of these things and then a meal with more lean protein and veggies vs. them being the entire meal.

Who is serving “lean protein and ‘veggies’” for a festive holiday meal? Thank goodness no one I know. A protein with sides, sure, but not unseasoned chicken or completely plain salmon and some asparagus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can definitely fill up on heavy apps. The people that say they need a meal—I don’t get it. It can truly be the same amount of food (even more calories sometimes if you’re having a lot of cheese/dough wrapped bites).

It’s fine!

Right. It's easy to make a meal out of heavy apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can definitely fill up on heavy apps. The people that say they need a meal—I don’t get it. It can truly be the same amount of food (even more calories sometimes if you’re having a lot of cheese/dough wrapped bites).

It’s fine!

This, it's the lack of protein and fiber, compared to a main and salad. A bunch of puff pastry might make me full (or greasy-sick) but not satisfied.

I don't serve that as a meal. If I want to serve them, I do a between meal party, like 2 to 5 pm.

There’s usually a vegetable tray, or at the very least lots of vegetables alongside crackers for the dips. I’ve never been to an app party that didn’t have lots of vegetables. Just because they are raw versus in a salad or roasted, like I don’t get it: there are vegetables. There are proteins.

Do you think people would feel comfortable taking enough vegetables from the tray to equal a small side salad? Would others, including you, judge the person who took that much of a vegetable tray?

Nope. It doesn't take many vegetables to equal a small salad. Even if someone has half a plate of vegetables, so what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are filling if you eat enough of them, it's just that some people would rather have a few bites of these things and then a meal with more lean protein and veggies vs. them being the entire meal.

Who is serving “lean protein and ‘veggies’” for a festive holiday meal? Thank goodness no one I know. A protein with sides, sure, but not unseasoned chicken or completely plain salmon and some asparagus.

+1

Typically if you are that concerned with maintaining a healthy diet during the holiday season the advice is to NOT show up hungry and instead have a protein heavy snack beforehand and then choose a few bites of things that you really want. But going into a party expecting to have your typical balanced diet is naive.

[Anonymous]

Every party in corporate DC that had heavy apps (because food eaten standing up was legit for Congressional staff to eat since it wasn't a meal) had shrimp skewers, mini crab cakes, meatballs on sticks, chicken winglets, etc. Plus desserts.

[Anonymous]

Lots of almond moms in this thread.

[Anonymous]

I host "grazing parties" that are just appetizers. I think I have done it on NYE. I have plenty of healthy foods along with some not so healthy. Never had a complaint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of almond moms in this thread.

Most people don’t actually enjoy pigs in a blanket, or trying to eat a meal’s worth of food from skewers over a napkin while standing, talking, and holding a drink.

Appetizers are not really meant to be the main meal or “heavy.” They’re traditionally something light or small, easy to serve and eat with drinks before the main meal. (See 37 Easy Appetizers For A Light Pre-Dinner Snack)

Fewer people host dinners or dinner parties these days, so heavier finger foods are being served to act as both an appetizer and the main meal. That’s ok, it’s not the end of the world, but those foods usually sit really heavy when eaten as a meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I host "grazing parties" that are just appetizers. I think I have done it on NYE. I have plenty of healthy foods along with some not so healthy. Never had a complaint.

Do you think someone would complain to your face?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of almond moms in this thread.

This is too vague for me to follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are filling if you eat enough of them, it's just that some people would rather have a few bites of these things and then a meal with more lean protein and veggies vs. them being the entire meal.

Who is serving “lean protein and ‘veggies’” for a festive holiday meal? Thank goodness no one I know. A protein with sides, sure, but not unseasoned chicken or completely plain salmon and some asparagus.

+1

Typically if you are that concerned with maintaining a healthy diet during the holiday season the advice is to NOT show up hungry and instead have a protein heavy snack beforehand and then choose a few bites of things that you really want. But going into a party expecting to have your typical balanced diet is naive.

OP asks why people don’t like heavy appetizer parties. We are explaining. All of us who hate appetizer parties know all of this already. We still hate them and are answering the question.

[Anonymous]

Party food is supposed to be more indulgent than your typical Tuesday night poached chicken and steamed broccoli.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of almond moms in this thread.

Most people don’t actually enjoy pigs in a blanket, or trying to eat a meal’s worth of food from skewers over a napkin while standing, talking, and holding a drink.

Appetizers are not really meant to be the main meal or “heavy.” They’re traditionally something light or small, easy to serve and eat with drinks before the main meal. (See 37 Easy Appetizers For A Light Pre-Dinner Snack)

Fewer people host dinners or dinner parties these days, so heavier finger foods are being served to act as both an appetizer and the main meal. That’s ok, it’s not the end of the world, but those foods usually sit really heavy when eaten as a meal.

I don’t associate with people who don’t enjoy pigs in a blanket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of almond moms in this thread.

Most people don’t actually enjoy pigs in a blanket, or trying to eat a meal’s worth of food from skewers over a napkin while standing, talking, and holding a drink.

Appetizers are not really meant to be the main meal or “heavy.” They’re traditionally something light or small, easy to serve and eat with drinks before the main meal. (See 37 Easy Appetizers For A Light Pre-Dinner Snack)

Fewer people host dinners or dinner parties these days, so heavier finger foods are being served to act as both an appetizer and the main meal. That’s ok, it’s not the end of the world, but those foods usually sit really heavy when eaten as a meal.

I don’t associate with people who don’t enjoy pigs in a blanket.

I serve pigs in a blanket occasionally and they are always the first thing gone.