According to Wayfair.com, dinner parties are still one of the most popular types of parties to throw, ranking at No. 1 when it comes to "meal" parties, surprisingly far above the second-place cocktail party that's become increasingly popular in recent years.
If you're planning your own dinner party, you've probably been focusing on the main dish, but you don't want to forget the starter - these ideas are all sure to be big hits.
Gourmet Crackers with Jam and Cream Cheese
One of the easiest starters you can put together, serve a cranberry habanero jam over cream cheese alongside gourmet crackers. This is the perfect option for those holiday dinner parties when you're short on time with the usual hectic pace that comes over the holidays. All you need to do is buy delicious ready-made cranberry pepper jam and store it in your pantry until you're ready to open it up. Serve it over a block of cream cheese laid out next to your choice of crackers.
Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
This three-cheese starter can be put together in just minutes and only requires five ingredients: mushrooms, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, and tarragon leaves.
Ingredients:
- 4 large Portobello mushrooms
- 3 T ricotta cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 T tarragon leaves
Instructions:
Remove the central stalks of the mushrooms and place them on a baking tray. If you'd like, you can season them with a bit of salt and pepper. Mix the cheeses and tarragon together (you can add your favorite seasonings as desired) and then spoon it onto the mushrooms. Place into a preheated 400 degree F oven and bake until the cheese is bubbling, about 15 minutes.
Salami Roll-Ups
These delicious bite-sized appetizers call for only four ingredients and are super simple to make - even the kids can help.
Ingredients:
-
8 oz whipped cream cheese
-
¼ pound hard salami, finely chopped
-
2 T dill pickle relish or pepper jam
-
4 10" flour tortillas (room temperature)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, salami, and pepper jam or pickle relish. Spread the mixture over the tortillas, and then roll each one tightly. Wrap them in plastic and refrigerate for 15 minutes. After removing, unwrap, and cut each one into 1" slices.
Veggie Noodles
For a healthy, fresh, and colorful starter, use a variety of vegetables and a spiralizer. It's a super fun way to play with the textures and colors. Once you've got a platter filled with them, add your favorite dressing to jazz the dish up.
Bruschetta Platter
Bruschetta is always a winner at a dinner party. This option basically takes your standard charcuterie a step further. Simply arrange crisped slices of baguettes, cured meat slices, some soft cheeses like ricotta, fresh fruits, and vegetables on a platter.
Mussels Steamed in White Wine
If your dinner is going to be seafood-focused, mussels steamed in white wine is one of the easiest and tastiest starters to put together. All you have to do is toss the mussels into a large pot with some white wine, fresh herbs, and onions. Cook them on high heat for about five minutes, until the mussels open.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of foodworldnews.com
