Appetizer or Side Dish

scwheal1

This weekend we are having a little holiday get-together. I am making lasagna and a salad for the entree, and am making desert. I asked everyone to bring an appetizer and their own alcoholic beverage. My husband just told me that one of the couples we invited is bringing pasta salad.

Would you say that is an appetizer or a side dish? I really don't want to serve it with dinner because it is a little much pasta with pasta? I just always think of it as a side dish. And all of the other appetizers are "finger foods".

I obviously would not say anything to the couple, but I was just curious what ya'll thought.

TarHeels&Rebels

It's a summer side for picnics in my book, but maybe she's really good at and doesn't have much time, so she's going with what she knows.

kjvogelsang

I'd say put it out with the apps!

kimnelson09

I view it as a side...a horribly inappropriate, out of season side. Did they know that you're serving lasagna?  That being said, you kind of open yourself up to stuff like this when you let your guests bring things. 

northtamarack

Personally, I would wait until they arrived and then assess.  Maybe she is going to put it on skewers?  Then it really does become a finger food.

Maybe this lady is feeling crunched and busy - to have to find an appetizer recipe, get the ingredients, and make it might be too much for her this Christmas season??  Pasta salad IS pretty easy.  Or maybe it isn't even her.  Is the husband the friend of your husband?  Maybe she told him he was in charge of bringing the food and that is what he picked?  This is the problem of asking people to bring something - you don't really have any control.

katarczyna

kimnelson09:

I view it as a side...a horribly inappropriate, out of season side. Did they know that you're serving lasagna?  That being said, you kind of open yourself up to stuff like this when you let your guests bring things. 

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msjbear

Side dish.