DASH. OF. THIS. AND. THAT

On the Spot Entertaining

 

Here are some quick and easy ideas for entertaining with style, especially when there isn't much time to plan. 

 

 

• Perogies served with applesauce/ sour cream/ caramelized onions +/or sauerkraut

• Pretzels served with cranberry relish +/ or honey mustard

• Hummus drizzled with fruity olive oil/ +/or lemon and torn pieces of pita bread

• Nachos- Tortilla chips/refried beans/chili/olives/salsa/sour cream/ bacon/ scallions/ cheeses/peppers,etc..

• Chicken tenders served with mango chutney/ honey/ apricot jam/ barbecue sauce/ french dressing/ buffalo wing sauce/ blue cheese dressing/ ginger soy dressing......

• Vegetable gyoza (frozen section of market) served with peanut satay sauce

• Fresh Mozzarella/ sun-dried or roasted tomatoes/ fresh basil/ olive oil/ on toast rounds

• Tortellini, mozzarella, pimentos on skewers seasoned  with sun-dried tomato pesto

• Pear slices with crumbled gorgonzola over assorted lettuce and vinaigrette

• Asparagus spread with mayonnaise and Romano cheese wrapped in ham, hot or cold.

• Quiches

• Spiced nuts

• Celery or apples spread with peanut butter or flavored cream cheese spread

• Cucumber sandwiches (fill with a thin layer of softened herbed cream cheese or butter and some fresh dill, thin sliced cucumbers, salt and pepper.)

• Egg rolls, dim sum, chicken wings from your favorite Chinese restaurant

• Pineapple chunks wrapped in bacon, secured with a toothpick and broiled with terriyaki sauce until bacon is cooked.

• Dates stuffed with cream cheese and an almond, wrapped in bacon secured with a toothpick and broiled until bacon is cooked.

• Assorted cheeses and wine.

• Spinach dip- hot or cold

• Crudites (fresh vegetables) and dip

• Goat cheese seasoned with crushed assorted colored peppercorns/ fruity olive oil and a crusty sour dough loaf.

• Seasoned olive oils served with torn pieces of italian bread.

• baked  assorted olives with rosemary or assorted herbs.

• Seafood platter- spread platter with whipped cream cheese, then cocktail sauce and then diced shrimp, crab +/or lobster,minced fresh parsley/lemon/serve with crackers.

• Stuffed grape leaves

• Marinated artichokes

• Marinated mushrooms

• Grilled marinated asparagus

• Hot cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto an provolone, may be cut in half and baked.

• Cherry tomatoes stuffed with softened herb cheese spread

• Warmed assorted nuts (in or out of the shell)

• Fruit salad