We're hosting a holiday cocktail party next weekend for about 40 people. We did NOT think this many people would RSVP -- we invited a lot of people from Delaware and the Eastern Shore, and did not think they would make the drive! -- so I'm a little panicked!
I'm trying to do a simple, elegant, impressive, yet not-too-expensive hors d'oeurves menu. Easy, right? HA! I'm also trying to do a fairly varied menu of meat, seafood, and veggie dishes. My friend also pointed out my original menu had a lot of cheese (that's a problem?), so I tried to scale back on that.
Here's what I have so far... I need more, but I'm having issues coming up with ideas.
Cocktails:
- Cranberry margaritas (in a beverage dispenser)
- Red & white wine
- Beer
- Sparkling cider, lemonade, and soda for non-drinkers
Meat dishes
- Meatballs in the crockpot
- Proscuitto-wrapped pears
Seafood dishes
- Bacon-wrapped shrimp
- Crab Dip
Veggie Dishes
- Cheese plate (4-5 types of cheese) with sliced baguettes and water crackers
- Crudites with hummus
Desserts
- Individual pumpkin cheesecakes (in freezer from Thanksgiving)
- Mini cupcakes (ditto)
- Christmas Cookies
My original menu includes caprese toothpicks (too much cheese?), buffalo chicken dip (not so elegant), and cheese and apple tarts (maybe a lot of work, but I like the idea of it...)
Please help!
Re: Help me with my party menu!
Personally...I love cheese and noone I know scales back and watches their weight for the holidays. I get frustrated when I am at get-togethers and there is limited cheese. Guess what is usually the first to go? I would add the cheese thing back and buffalo chicken dip is delish and I would go with that as well.
I might have to get a shirt that says I heart cheese after that rant.
I agree about the cheese. I love cheese. I also love Buffalo Chicken dip, but since you want an elegant party, that doesn't really fit. I might add another meat app, but not sure what...
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I agree with PPs - I love cheese. The caprese toothpicks - great idea! What about....
-gucamole and various dipping items - veggies, crackers, chips
-baked brie (another cheese item) and crackers
-pigs in a blanket
-mini crab cakes/crab balls with russian dressing or tarter sauce on the side
-fruit salad or fruit cabobs (<-- my sister makes these and then drizzles magic shell on top for a little taste of chocolate)
I say add a spinach dip and some fruit and poke you with a fork you are done