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Finger foods
No get together is a true succes without some great munchies.
How many will you need?
One formula, (used by many caterers), to figure out how many ord'heures of each type are needed uses the following guideline:
- Cocktail Party (with no dinner after) : Assume 12 pieces per person- times the number of people- divided by the number of different appetizers.
- Cocktail Party (followed by dinner after): Simply, halve the totals.
How many types of Appetizers:
- Small party: 3 types of appetizers are suitable for 8 to 10 guests; and 4 or 5 different appetizers are suggested for 14 to 16 people.
- Larger parties: Over 20 but less than 45 guests then plan on using roughly 6 different appetizers.
- For parties with more than 45 guests you would ideally prepare 8 types of appetizers.
Try these quick nibbles and add a little spirit to your party.
- Blue Cheese Vodka Balls
- Spicy Guacamole with Pita Chips
- Steamed Mussels with Sambuca
- Grilled Spicy Chicken Wings
Appetizer hint
Having an equal number of hot and cold foods is also helpful so that while one appetizer is heating in the oven, a cold one can be circulating, keeping everyone nibbling happily.
Blue Cheese Vodka Balls
- ½ cup Blue Cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1-tablespoon pepper flavored vodka
- 1-tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- ½ cup toasted sesame seeds
- Cream together the blue cheese, cream cheese, vodka and parsley until smooth.
- Refrigerate for 35 minutes.
- Shape into small balls and then roll into the sesame seeds.
- Refrigerate until needed.
Spicy Guacamole with Pita Chips
- 4 ripe avocados
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tequila
- dash of hot pepper sauce
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tomato, diced
- ½ red onion, minced
- 1 package pita bread
- Salt, pepper, oregano, sesame seeds and garlic powder
- Olive oil
- In a food processor, blend the avocados, garlic, lemon juice, tequila and hot pepper sauce until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix in chopped tomato and onion. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
- Cut pita circles into small triangles, then separate the bread.
- Arrange pita triangles on a large baking dish and sprinkle with spices.
- Drizzle a small amount of olive oil all over the pita triangles.
- Bake at 350' until lightly golden and crispy.
- Store uncovered until needed. Serve with the guacamole.
Steamed Mussels with Sambuca
- 3 lb mussels
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 1/8-teaspoon hot chili pepper flakes
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 orange, rind grated and juiced
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup Sambuca
- ¼ cup fish stock or water
- Wash the mussels and discard any that stay open.
- In a large fry pan, sauté the garlic, chili peppers and tomatoes for one minute.
- Add the orange rind, orange juice, sambuca, fish stock and mussels.
- Cover and let steam for 5 minutes or until the mussels are open.
- Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.
Grilled Spicy Chicken Wings
- 20 chicken wings
- 2 limes, rind grated and limes juiced
- 1-teaspoon hot chili pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons tequila
- Mix all the ingredients together and bake or grill the wings until ready.
