Anonymous wrote:

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

DCUM often makes this recommendation but I've gone into TJ and come out empty-handed. Can anyone share TJ frozen apps that are holiday party worthy?

No. I can't share any because there aren't any. They are all your basic frozen puff pastry, samosa, spanakopita, spring roll, processed dreck.

I have hosted several make-ahead cocktail parties. Here is what I make ahead and then either reheat or just pull from fridge:
- meatballs (I make my own), serve with tzatziki or dill/mustard sauce
- devilled eggs (boil, peel, and make filling the day before). Add filling and garnish day of.
- smoked salmon platter. Arrange smoked salmon, sliced tomatoes, red onion, capers, lemon, and cream cheese on platter. Serve with toasted bread or mini bagels.
- gougeres
- cheese and charcuterie
- dried fruit, pickled vegetables, nuts
- dips - eggplant, tirokafteri (spicy feta), romesco, with sliced crusty bread and/or raw veggies

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.

Or… could it be that there are different people posting to this board? With different opinions?

Anonymous wrote:Meatballs. Make ahead, bake, and freeze. Heat day-of in a crockpot with some kind of glaze or sauce - you can go lowbrow with the chili sauce / grape jelly thing, or slightly higher-brow with a homemade gravy or sweet & sour sauce. Either way, they always get gobbled up.

Ha! Go “lowbrow” with Costco frozen meatballs

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.

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

You’re welcome!

Anonymous wrote:

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

DCUM often makes this recommendation but I've gone into TJ and come out empty-handed. Can anyone share TJ frozen apps that are holiday party worthy?

I haven’t found any. I’ve tried some to do a trial run and none have been party worthy. I’d be embarrassed to serve a lot of them to guests.

Rather than freezing a bunch of things, maybe focus on a few things that are easy to finish on the day of. As a PP said, cheese and crackers are easy. Get one of those packs from Costco and just arrange on a tray. Cover in fridge and add crackers right before serving. The meatballs are a good idea, a good crab dip that you can put in the oven will also go well with crackers and is easy. Just put in a ramekin and heat it up. Shrimp cocktail is super easy to make the day before and keep in fridge till the event. I always put out chips and salsa, especially if expecting kids. Veggie and fruit trays from the grocery store or Costco are good. Re-plate them onto your own platters if you want. Again, cover and keep in fridge till the event.

smoked salmon served with red onion, capers, dill sauce and crackers.

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

DCUM often makes this recommendation but I've gone into TJ and come out empty-handed. Can anyone share TJ frozen apps that are holiday party worthy?

Sausage balls

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

Cheese straws, ham biscuits (freeze raw biscuits and bake day of), empanadas

Not frozen but easy to make ahead: caprese skewers, deviled eggs, tortilla española. You can make the mix for guacamole and add in the avocado day of.

Meatballs. Make ahead, bake, and freeze. Heat day-of in a crockpot with some kind of glaze or sauce - you can go lowbrow with the chili sauce / grape jelly thing, or slightly higher-brow with a homemade gravy or sweet & sour sauce. Either way, they always get gobbled up.

Cheese and crackers do a lot of heavy lifting. Almost everyone loves cheese.

Almonds/Nuts. Fresh Fruit. Pate. Olives. Bread from a bakery + high quality butter.

I'm looking for suggestions. I'd like to make and freeze a bunch of things so that I don't stress that day. Do you have any crowd-pleasing favorites? TIA!