Some would say that food is the most important aspect of entertaining, and that snacks for parties are essential for a good time. However, it can be easy to get lost in the myriad options available for serving the perfect party appetizer.
If you want recipes for easy party snacks beyond your basic baked brie or deviled eggs, here are some more ideas for your next party:
Fresh hummus and crudités is a classic party snack packed with nutrition. Fresh hummus is smooth, nutty and has an elegant simplicity which can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. Include plenty of cut veggies for dipping. To add a twist, customize your hummus with additional ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, pesto or spicy chili powder.
Make your own variation on favorite party food by creating jalapeño poppers in individual cups with puff pastry. You can also use wontons as a crispy container for cream cheese, sugar, smoked jack cheddar, diced jalapeños and bacon. Provide ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing or sour cream to cool off these sweet and spicy puff pastries.
Cheese balls are an iconic party snack and excellent accompaniment to crackers, fruit or veggies. Experiment with different varieties of cheese and fun additions like toasted pecans, cranberries or green chilies.
Are the festivities really incomplete without pigs in a blanket? Great for grazing, guests young and old love these savory, bite-sized party snacks. Use homemade batter or store bought crescent rolls to wrap the cocktail dogs.
Guacamole, salsa and queso make up the triumvirate of party dips. With tons of options for flavor, ingredients and spiciness, each of these dips make for a simple yet always-appreciated addition to a party.
Caprese salad skewers are a particularly great snack for the warmer months when tomatoes are in their prime. Simply skewer a cherry tomato, basil leaf and a blob of mozzarella cheese with a toothpick. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or leave the final step to your guests for maximum crowd-pleasing potential.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.