The Hawaiian Roll sandwiches are always a big hit. Lots of recipes online depending on the ingredients you prefer. Bonus: they are assembled ahead of time. Here’s one recipe if you are not familiar.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229038/baked-hawaiian-sandwiches/

I would consider serving Italian beef sandwiches in a crockpot along with other apps for the guys

Italian sausage bites
Whipped ricotta/toast
Toasted ravioli
Stuffed jalapenos
Bacon wrapped dates

Sushi
Empanadas
Samosas
Meatballs
Imari pockets
Bruschetta
Mini tacos
Spanakopita

Mini crab cakes
Ham and cheese sliders (the melted in the oven ones look delish)
Pigs in a blanket (supposedly the TJ’s ones are good)
Meatballs
Sushi platter

If you want it to feel more like a meal add more filling things lean towards being more meal-like.
- meatballs
- pigs in a blanket
- chicken wings
- deviled eggs
- sandwich pinwheels

Anonymous wrote:You need some meat. Meatballs or pigs in blankets

Sliced steak with a chimichurri or laotian dipping sauce if you want something classier.

Meatballs with toothpicks
Smoked salmon with mascarpone and dill on nice crackers
Spanikopita cut up into bite-sized pieces

You need some meat. Meatballs or pigs in blankets

We just had a heavy apps party that was impromptu and I ordered falafel wraps cut in half, spinach tarts, and cheese tarts from Lebanese Taverna. Also had a veggie tray and another baked cheese dish and I think it felt like enough. Kids all had pizza.

Very very helpful! Thank you!

I would add two more varieties of hors d'oeuvres from the freezer section to serve alongside your mini quiche--things like arancini or caramelized onion and feta puffs etc. Maybe even meatballs! For your crudite plate, make sure it's not just the plastic grocery store tray of dried out celery carrots and raw broccoli - add sliced fennel and/or radishes. Find a dairy-based dill dip to offer contrast to your hummus. Also swap out your mixed nuts for marcona almonds or pistachios - adding unusual things elevates and adds interest (visual and otherwise), which can help people feel satisfied. It's weird but it works. On that note I'd skip slicing apples that will turn brown, and just put out a bowl of beautiful pears. Lastly something like Trader Joe's will have some bigger flatbreads - that will add some savory oomph (and again, visual contrast bc of the size.)

Whenever I am served "heavy" hors derves, no matter how much I eat, I feel the need to eat dinner. So now when I go to parties that have heavy hors derves, I generally refrain from eating or eat very little because I know I will feel dissatisfied unless I eat dinner.

This will not feel like a meal because it is not a meal.

I’m hosting about 16 people next week for a gift exchange! Instead of making a large meal, I plan to serve a variety of:
Cheeses (Brie, Gouda, etc)
Cured meats
Olives
Dried apricots
Sliced Apple
Grapes
Fig spread
Crudite + dip (hummus)
Crackers
Bread
Mini quiche
Mixed nuts

What are your favorite snack plate type foods - I would like this to have a lot of options so feels like a meal. Ideas?