Critique/Add to my holiday party menu

cwmoss82

I'm having a holiday party next Saturday.  In my circle, pretty much every party is potluck but the host usually provides a lot more (or I do when I host).  Most people will probably bring wine/beer... some of the non drinkers will bring an app or desert and a couple of close friends will probably bring both... just cause that's what I would do at their place.  Party starts at 7pm and I said there would be heavy apps.  Here's what I have so far:

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SAVORY

• Chicken sausage pigs in a blanket
• Cocktail Meatballs
• Chicken skewers with veggies and dipping sauces
• Assorted cheeses, crackers, salami, nuts, dried fruit
  
• Baked brie with jam served with crackers/apples
• Veggies with a dip or hummus

SWEET

• Oreo Truffles
• Brownies (assorted with nuts, mint, plain, etc.)
  

What else?  My MIL just got be this warming server I want to use with three compartments.  They are smaller and two will be used for meatballs, but I'm not sure what to do in the third... spinach artichoke dip?  buffalo chicken dip?  I'm open to suggestions and trying new recipes. 

 

cwmoss82

Sorry for all that gobblygook in the middle there.... I tried to use bullets and I guess my efforts failed there. 

leahkate

Sounds good! I think the spinach artichoke dip would be a great addition. I might also add some shrimp cocktail (even those rings from the grocery would be good) and try to find out if anyone is bringing another dessert. If not, I'd add a few cookies.

cclilac12

I would recommend adding another non-meat appetizer - maybe a cheese stuffed mushroom or spanokopitas. It seems like the non-meat appetizers are more snacks and less heavy appetizers.

wldktz10

Shrimp cocktail is always easy if you want to add a fish. But I agree with PP that you need some non-meat dishes as well. You already have cheese and dips for your veggies so I think you should do something else besides another dip. Maybe stuffed mushrooms or potato puffs? I have a recipe for some zucchini crostini as well that is always a big hit.

TarHeels&Rebels

wldktz10:

Shrimp cocktail is always easy if you want to add a fish. But I agree with PP that you need some non-meat dishes as well. You already have cheese and dips for your veggies so I think you should do something else besides another dip. Maybe stuffed mushrooms or potato puffs? I have a recipe for some zucchini crostini as well that is always a big hit.

I agree with these suggestions.

MegBuisson

For the third compartment I would put the spinach artichoke dip. For a vegetable dish I would go for either stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta or even mini quiches (A LOT easier to make than maybe thought). 

kimnelson09

Nix one of the chickens.

Add a vegetarian appetizer.  Stuffed mushrooms, spanakopita, potato and parsnip latkes (recipe here), something hearty and wintery.

You need something fruit-based.  You could do a bread pudding with dried fruit or a tart (apple, pear and citrus are all seasonally appropriate). 

agoodse

leahkate:

Sounds good! I think the spinach artichoke dip would be a great addition. I might also add some shrimp cocktail (even those rings from the grocery would be good) and try to find out if anyone is bringing another dessert. If not, I'd add a few cookies.

I've found that it's hard to keep spinach artichoke dip heated well enough during an entire party.  It gets cold quickly.  How do you think you might heat it?  (I'm curious, so I can steal your ideas for my next party lol)

cwmoss82

Thanks for all the great suggestions!  I'll look through some of the warm veggie recipes you guys posted and pick one out.  I agree the mushrooms would round out the menu but I absolutely hate mushrooms... the latkas or the quiche suggestions sound great!

The compartments are in a warming tray I received as an early holiday gift.  It's a buffet server that plugs in to keep things warm.  I've also put dips in my fondue pot to keep them warm and I have one of those things call "the little dipper" that plugs in and holds dips.  Its like a really small crock pot.