Attending a potluck or picnic-style party can be a great opportunity to share and experience a wide range of dishes. For party guests, however, it can be intimidating to decide what to bring. You want to bring something to please a crowd, but without blowing your budget or spending all day in the kitchen.
Luckily, there are some easy party food ideas you’ll love to share with fellow guests. Here are a few suggestions to try:
If you want a delicious party snack without any cooking required, consider a charcuterie board or cheese platter. In addition to being quick and simple to put together, boards and platters give you an enormous amount of flexibility when choosing foods to share. A variety of cheeses, cured meats, fruit and vegetables can make a statement without a ton of effort.
For a safer and more convenient take on a cheese board or platter, consider stacking pieces of cheese, salami or other ingredients into bite-sized portions. Breaking your platter down into finger foods will make it easier for guests to enjoy without accidentally spreading germs or making a mess.
A warm, savory dip is a tried and true party food option perfect for almost any occasion. For a classic recipe, try a spinach and artichoke dip made with sour cream, cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add fresh herbs and pair with delicious crusty bread, crackers or even tortilla chips.
Try creating individually portioned snacks with spinach artichoke dip in a small cup or ramekin. This turns a party food favorite into a mobile snack guests can mingle with rather than crowd around the same bowl.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to bite-sized party snacks. You can go savory or sweet depending on preference, and use a wide variety of ingredients. Some excellent examples include:
Your choice in party foods ultimately comes down to the individual party and your own preferences. Regardless of the occasion, you’ll know you can get the party started with these quick and simple party food ideas.
Lynn Butterfield is an Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker and is a Certified Real Estate Negotiator. Mr. Butterfield has 41 years of experience in real estate sales and development. His vast experience ranges from luxury sales through commercial sales and leasing. Perhaps more importantly, he focuses his attention on client success, whether he's helping someone buy their first home, or working with a developer seeking assistance to create and position a large project in the marketplace. One recent client said, "Working with Lynn is almost like working with a Real Estate Attorney, because he knows exactly what to look for, so you can be protected!" Another first-time home buyer just said, "I needed someone to hold my hand through this because it's the largest investment we'll ever make! I know he isn't in this just to make a quick buck. He really cares about his clients!"
Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. He would be honored to put his real estate experience to work for you.