Miyerkules, Hunyo 22, 2011

Smoked Salmon Appetizers Are Easy and Fun

When you're planning for a dinner party, or for a large holiday gathering, one of the most frightening and difficult parts can be setting up the appetizer menu. In these tough times, we all want to save a little money. And of course, the faster the preparation, the better, you've got other things to do! But who doesn't want to impress their guests, and make them feel like they're being served an extravagant menu, even if it costs less than they may think. There are many tips and tricks to getting the most out of your dollar, and making great holiday dishes, but one of the easiest ways to wow them is with smoked salmon appetizers.

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By preparing smoked salmon appetizers, you're helping your guests to celebrate the season without sending yourself to the poor house. Smoked salmon has a rich, smoky, delicate flavor that your guests are sure to love, but the price tag doesn't have to match the indulgent taste. And in this day and age of diets and cleanses, smoked salmon appetizers are customizable to meet everyone's restrictions. You'll be able to serve everyone something they'll love, without spending days in the kitchen.

But what are the types of smoked salmon appetizers that you can use to impress your guests. There are hundreds of different recipes and variations, but we've selected three elegant and easy options that you can make quickly. You can serve any of these dishes on passing trays, or on a help yourself buffet. The first option is the most classic, and is always impressive. Simply cut rounds from a loaf of pumpernickel bread, place a dab of cream cheese on top, and layer on some smoked salmon. It's simple and elegant. You can also try this appetizer with rye bread rounds, and chèvre cheese, for some added kick and a twist on this classic.

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There are many other options when you're going the simple route as well. A smoked salmon appetizer that is always a crowd pleaser is a dip. It's a great way to add your own flair to a simple basic dish. All you'll need is smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a food processor. Blend these ingredients together, and provide something to dip into it, like vegetables or crackers. If you'd like to spice things up, try adding some different ingredients to add texture, like chives. You can also leave some smoked salmon chunks unblended for an extra surprise.

A last, simple smoked salmon appetizer is the smoked salmon roll up. Using a blend of ricotta cheese, salt and pepper, and some lemon juice, place a line of the filling down a piece of smoked salmon. Roll this up, cut it into inch long pieces and serve! It's the perfect treat for your guests!

Smoked salmon appetizers are an easy and fun way to share for your party finger foods this holiday spirit with your friends and family. Because none of these ideas involve baking, you'll be able to prepare them ahead of time easily, and spend your party with your guests, not slaving away in the kitchen!

Miyerkules, Hunyo 15, 2011

Quick & Easy Party Food Ideas

Any good party planner must come up with a set of good party food ideas. You simply can't have a great party without great food. You can have a perfect theme, creative decorations and snappy music, but if the food is sub-par, your party is sub-par. No matter what the occasion, everyone loves socializing with friends and family while munching on something yummy. Your guests will be happy if their fingers are busy and their stomachs are satisfied.

Great party finger foods can be everything from a lavish formal meal to a catered buffet to a platter of simple sandwiches. The food can be the most important component of a successful party so make sure you are prepared. Even if it is a simple affair, your guests will appreciate a good spread. Keep your reputation as a good host/hostess and don't disappoint your guests.

Simplify the planning of your menu by familiarizing yourself as much as possible with the favorite foods of your guests. If you're expecting a more adventurous crowd, explore tropical or exotic foods such as Caribbean, Mediterranean or Asian. If your guest list leans more toward the conservative side, stick to the basic staples of meat, vegetable and potato dishes. No matter the occasion, there is something for everyone. So don't worry, have a feast with the various party food ideas!

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A perfect combination of tasty treats, creative décor and toe tapping music will put you on track for a perfect party. There are several important considerations when pulling together your party menu, but the general rule is to keep it quick and easy. Here are some quick party food ideas to help you set the stage.
Quick & Easy Party Food Ideas:

1. Lucky Lime drinks: Start by putting two small scoops of lime sherbet in a glass beer mug. Pour 7up over the sherbet and fill the mug. Then add a blob of sweetened whipped cream along with colorful sugar sprinkles. Finish it off with a green maraschino cherry to give your drink that out of the ordinary look.

2. Quick mini pizzas: Italian finger food is always a big hit. Impress your guests and bring out your creativity with some scrumptious mini-pizzas. Prepare the pizza dough in advance and give it a few minutes on the grill. When the bottom is golden brown, flip it. Generously spread your favorite toppings, smother with plenty of cheese and cover the grill for a few minutes to cook the toppings and melt the cheese.

3. Lip-smacking Herbed Chevre Spread topping: smooth this tasty topping on wheat crackers or toasted baguette. Left over bagels work great and you can even use it as a spread for sandwiches. Alternately you can serve it as a dip with slices of apples, pineapple, grapes or pears.

4. Tantalizing White Chocolate Mousse: Fill desert bowls with white chocolate mouse and drizzle with sparkling white vodka syrup. To make the syrup, place butter and chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water until melted. Stir gently to combine, remove from heat. Add vodka to cooled syrup, then place in a blender with the silver leaf and blend for a few seconds until leaf is broken into small flakes. Top each mousse with sparkling syrup just before serving.

5. Platters of fresh fruit: Use fruits like mango, banana, cherries, pineapple, or apple cut into small cubes and topped off with sweetened whipped cream. These are easy to prepare and look quiet presentable. An edible fruit arrangement will look pretty as a centerpiece for a brunch party and will also get gobbled up in no time.