This time of year, there's always an occasion where you need to bring a dish to share. But between work, home, and school obligations, not to mention your workouts and healthy meal prep, however will you find time to come up with something delicious and creative to take to the neighborhood gathering? I've compiled a list of appetizers that will take no more than five minutes of hands-on work! Appetizer vs. Hors D'Oeuvres These days, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres are often used interchangeably (though we tend to use the word appetizer more commonly, probably because it's easier to spell), there is a difference. Appetizers are the first course of a meal, while hors d'oeuvres are bite-size portions of food displayed on a buffet or passed on a tray by the host or, at my house, a teenager trying to make up for tossing baseballs near the Christmas tree. So really there's no big difference and who in the heck cares what they are called as long as they taste good. To get started let's look at what make a good single bite of party food.
Let's get cooking. Try these fabulous party food ideas at your next event. Black Bean Spread Serve this warmed spread over microwave warmed corn tortilla wedges or on mini pitas. (above) Toss blanched almonds with a chili and cumin spice mixture. Roast in a 275 degree oven until toasted. Serve in parchment paper formed into small funnel cones. Cut pita bread into wedges, mist with non-stick pan coating then bake in a 375 degree oven for 5 minutes. This one is perfect for the non-cook since all the items can be picked up at your grocery store pre-made. All you have to do is assemble and stir in cumin into the Greek yogurt. (You could also use small tortilla shells.) Not a fan of pistachios? Try chopped walnuts. Most grocery stores will peel and devein the shrimp for you--just ask them to leave the tail on. Go one step further and pick a store that will even cook it for you to save time! Go easy on the wasabi. A little bit goes a long way. Make this one a centerpiece. Using long wooden skewers, attach a stuffed pepper to the end of a skewer, then place into a tall vase like you would when arranging roses. (Save time and arrange on a platter.) Spice up just-popped air-popped popcorn with chili powder, ground cumin, or even wasabi powder. Add some extra crunch to the mix with tossing in a handful of dried wasabi peas. Check out my recipe for this slimmed-down version of the classic. Make that ahead of time, then spend five minutes assembling the rest of the dish. Offer sliced vegetables instead of bread. Slim down your stand-by recipe with Greek yogurt instead of high fat mayonnaise. Reduce some of the sodium by reducing the dried vegetable soup mix by 1/2 suggested amount. Take one jar of salsa and add frozen corn, black beans, chick peas, and even wilted spinach for an almost homemade salsa. Serve with toasted whole wheat pita bread or baked corn chips. Take a traditional hummus recipe and swap out the chickpeas with shelled edamame then garnish with pickled ginger. Serve with rice crackers or grilled pita wedges. Top toasted whole grain baguette slices with drained canned petite diced tomatoes tossed with a three herb combo of chopped fresh parsley, basil and thyme. Pick up some grilled veggies from the supermarket (or, if you have more time, grill them yourself on a grill pan), then pair with creamy goat cheese for dipping. You want to keep the veggies slightly crisp. Bonus: Mixed chopped herbs or sun-dried tomatoes into the goat cheese. Shooters are short glass beverages but this one takes on the consistency of a smoothie so it fits well as a compliment to these party food suggestions. Puree 1 cup frozen diced mango with the juice of two oranges and one lime. Divide the mixture between 4 two-ounce glasses then swirl in 1 teaspoon of Greek yogurt into each glass. What is your go-to fast appetizer?Want more healthy recipes from me and fellow SparkPeople members? Be sure to subscribe to SparkPeople's Recipe of the Day email. Click here to sign up! Did you know SparkRecipes is now on Facebook? Click here to "Like" us! Like this blog? Then you'll love "The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose the Weight." |
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