Thinking about having friends over for a casual, fun get-together? Here are some quick, easy, and surprisingly substantial party foods that are simple to prepare and perfect for entertaining during the summer, or any time of year.
SECRET TO SIMPLICITY
The key to easy, any-time entertaining: Have-on-hand food and easy-serve items. For example, whenever you grill or poach chicken, be sure to cook extra, wrap it securely and stash it in the freezer. The same goes for shrimp. (You can, of course, buy frozen cooked or uncooked shrimp to keep for impromptu entertaining.)
Also, keep a supply of 6-inch wooden skewers on hand, or buy decorative toothpicks for fancier presentations.
At party time, use what's in the freezer or pick up what you need at the supermarket.
Party preparation consists of alternating meats, cheeses, and fruits or vegetables on skewers. Then place similar skewers on serving platters. Or for a more artistic presentation, stick the skewers or toothpicks into a pretty whole eggplant, melon, or several large grapefruits from which you've cut a small slice at the bottom, for stability.
Drizzle each skewer with the suggested bottled salad dressings, or dressings made from your own favorite recipes, and place dressings in pretty bowls for dipping. Have plenty of cocktail napkins on hand so there won't be any mess.
What could be easier? Here are some simple and colorful party food-on-a-skewer combinations:
Melon and Prosciutto: For each skewer, wrap a small strip of prosciutto around a cantaloupe or honeydew ball or chunk. Then pierce it with a skewer. A nice option: Add a piece of mozzarella to the end. For dressing, use red wine or balsamic vinaigrette.
Tropical Chicken Bites: Thread cubes of chicken and mango, plus orange segments and avocado slices on each skewer. Use a lemon-based dressing or mild vinaigrette. (Note: Be sure to dip avocado slices in lemon juice to keep their pretty green color.)
Asian Shrimp and Fruit: On each skewer, put a combination of cooked shrimp, pear wedges, and seedless grapes. Serve with ginger or sesame dressing.
Salad on a Skewer: Put cherry tomatoes, squares of red or green pepper, cucumber slices, and broccoli florets on skewers. Drizzle with Italian or vinaigrette dressing.
Tomato-Mozzarella Antipasto: Thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves on each skewer. Oil and vinegar, Italian dressing, or any vinaigrette will add the spicy tang that makes it perfect.
Cheese and Artichoke Bites: Stack cubes of Asiago cheese, marinated artichoke hearts, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, and possibly sliced prosciutto on each skewer.
Chicken-Piña: Thread cubed cooked chicken, plus fresh pineapple and mango chunks on each skewer. Brush or serve with Dijon or poppy seed dressing.
Mango Thai-Shrimp: Skewer cooked shrimp and cubed mango or orange segments. Sprinkle with a dash of chili powder and squeeze fresh lime juice or drizzle lime-flavored dressing over the top.
Classic Cheese Cubes: Alternate cubes of cheddar cheese, sliced apple, and/or pear wedges on each skewer. (Dip fruit slices in lemon juice to prevent discoloration.)
Smoked Salmon Bites: Spread cream cheese on a slice of cucumber and top it with a slice of smoked salmon and end with a cherry tomato.
| Price : $63.95
