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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
*Pigs in a blanket (very easy to make)

OP requested "easy but elegant".

Hot dogs wrapped in tube dough are appropriate on elementary school cafeteria lunch trays.

Presentation is everything. Don't be so thick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP says she's not a great cook. Not that the above is hard, but unless she has multiple chafing dishes and someone to heat food up as needed, it could be tough to juggle along with being a present hostess.

That’s part of the problem with an appetizer “buffet.” No hostess wants to be running around pulling things from the stove/oven and mingling with the guests. It’s why the standards — things that can be made in advance and served cold/room-temp or warm - have hung around.

And appetizers are more about assembling rather than cooking. So hopefully, OP can get DH (who initiated this) can help do so the day or two before.

For me, it’s all about the dips/dippers and something-on-a-stick/toothpick. For presentation, get nice skewers or some Asian-style toothpicks. For the dips, get creative with the vessel to hold it.

In the interest of sharing, here’s my favorite dip and m/cocktail:

Smoked Oyster Dip
8 Oz softened cream cheese
1/2 c Mayo
4 dashed hot sauce
1 T lemon juice
4 Oz chopped black olives
3.5 Oz smoked oysters, rinsed and chopped

Really “cream” the cream cheese. Add the Mayo, hot sauce, lemon juice. Mix well. Fold in the chopped olives and oysters. Chill at least overnight.

Black-eyed Susan (the official drink of The Preakness)
1 part rum
1 part vodka
1/2 part triple sec
3 parts OJ
3 parts pineapple juice
Splash of lime

(You can, of course, omit the alcohol for the virgin version)

Good luck OP and let us know how it goes! I’m hosting our neighborhood Wine Night this week that we’re having for the first time since COVID…so good vibes are sent your way.