Cater Your Own Summer Appetizer Party

I love to entertain but it can be a lot of work so what I do when I have more than 6 guests is just serve appetizers and drinks. I can make them ahead and then actually enjoy myself too. You can cut a lot of time by buying some of the parts pre made that way assembly and maybe some cooking is all that is needed. To make sure u have enough for everyone there should be at least 12-14 bites per person and I dont count fruit, dips or veggie platters in that, they are extra goodies.

I recently had a summer get together for 14 people for my sons 19th birthday and this is what I served.


All aboard!

On my biggest cutting board I arranged a mixture of cured meats, olives, nuts and a few cheeses. Looks rustic on the cutting board and you could also do whole cheeses with labels this way and guests could cut their own pieces right on the board.

I love stuff on sticks, it looks cool and fingers dont get dirty. This is my version of Caprese Salad on a stick.

Wooden skewers
small bocconcini cheese
cherry tomato's
day old French/Italian bread cut into cubes and tossed in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
fresh basil leaves

Drizzle oil:
olive oil
fresh,chopped Parsley
sea salt


Endive Flower Burst

I love this one and it is so easy and can have so many different variations to it. I bought ready made chicken salad form Costco but honestly you could make anything else that has some stickiness to it like guacamole, tuna salad even just cream cheese mixed with dried cranberries and pecans, really skies the limit use your imagination.

Buy 3-4 heads of endive because you can only use 4-8 leaves from each depending on how big they are.
Cut off the base and carefully remove 1 leaf at a time so as not to tear them.
wash and let dry then fill and arrange on tray.


Deconstructed Souvlaki:

I really cheated for this party, I usually make my food from scratch but I was pressed for time because I was devoting most of my time in making an ice cream birthday cake from scratch and it really was a life saver to shop at Costco for my ingredients for this party. Ready marinated pork/chicken souvlaki was what I used. Each skewer has about 5 pieces of meat and I took them all off and cooked them in oven and then using new skewers put 1 piece on each making them now appetizer bites. Easy peasy.


Pizza:

I bought 2 ready to bake pizzas (yes from Costco) They cook in 6-8 minutes then I cut them into small square bites when cool.


Edamame Dip

I love, Love, Love this dip and was so happy to find this (yes this too is from Costco) I was kind of growing tired of humus and then I discovered this tasty dip.


Sandwiches and Wraps

Pastrami and cheese on dark rye is always a crowd favorite, and who doesn't love wraps.

1 Veggie and 1 fruit tray which again can be made ahead of time and your done.

Just add wine, beer and water and you'll have a great party!