Share your favorite party food ideas...

[calebsmommy25]

My mind has been on everything this week BUT my son's birthday party next weekend. All the invites are sent, but I'm still working on the menu. We will have between 20-30 people, mostly adults and older kids...hopefully a couple little buddies.

I have some ideas, but would love to hear your favorite food recipes/ideas for appetizers, sides, BBQ, desserts, etc. We don't have any restrictions, just would love to provide a wide range of meat, veggies, fruit, etc.

Thanks Mamas! I would love to try out some new things! Oh, and anything that can be made ahead of time is a major plus!

[madskye]

Is it daytime, or night time? For DD's last party, I did little sandwiches on tiny little buns. Just regular cold cuts, turkey, ham and roast beef and then a separate baguette with mozzarella and red peppers sliced up for the veggies. I had a fruit platter, a veggie platter, and a bowl of pretzels with dip. Not extravagant, but very nice and a little something for everyone.

Most kids parties we go to are pizza, so it was a nice alternative and not that expensive.

If I do a night time party, I usually try to theme it, so the food all tastes good together. So, mexican or middle eastern...and then pick four or five apps that fit that kind of food.

[calebsmommy25]

It is at 3:00pm. I plan on BBQing, but not sure what yet. I plan in hamburgers (DP's are the BEST) and some type of chicken item. I like the baguette, mozz and pepper idea. Yum! A big ole fruit bowl is def on the list because ds just loves his fruit. A platter of veggies with hummus and one other dip is a must. I will probably make a layered taco dip as well. I need some different ideas for BBQ side dishes. I know I will make some type of pasta salad, not sure what kind yet. I'm looking for something a bit different then your typical pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans sides for a BBQ. Something that is familar, but with a twist.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by calebsmommy25

It is at 3:00pm. I plan on BBQing, but not sure what yet. I plan in hamburgers (DP's are the BEST) and some type of chicken item. I like the baguette, mozz and pepper idea. Yum! A big ole fruit bowl is def on the list because ds just loves his fruit. A platter of veggies with hummus and one other dip is a must. I will probably make a layered taco dip as well. I need some different ideas for BBQ side dishes. I know I will make some type of pasta salad, not sure what kind yet. I'm looking for something a bit different then your typical pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans sides for a BBQ. Something that is familar, but with a twist.

this is good (althugh, not necessarily healthy, but we only have it a couple of times a year)

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1818...226196,00.html

I also love this salad for BBQ's - http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1643...227206,00.html

[calebsmommy25]

Oh yeah, broccoli salad! I always forget about this yummy hidden treasure! Yeah, I know some of the BBQ stuff isn't healthy...I try my best to sub in good stuff when I can. I've seen that coleslaw recipe and haven't tried it, maybe I'll have to. I think my dp would like it.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by calebsmommy25

Oh yeah, broccoli salad! I always forget about this yummy hidden treasure! Yeah, I know some of the BBQ stuff isn't healthy...I try my best to sub in good stuff when I can. I've seen that coleslaw recipe and haven't tried it, maybe I'll have to. I think my dp would like it.

The asian slaw always goes - people love it

[cristeen]

Some of my fave apps are jalapeno poppers and tzatziki with a veggie tray

For a pasta salad, I make one with green and black olives, marinated artichoke hearts, feta cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette.

Coleslaw I like with fresh cabbage (not the bagged stuff, there's a huge taste difference), and just a plain dijon vinaigrette.

[calebsmommy25]

cristeen- your pasta salad sounds good. I LOVE feta! I thought I had my pasta salad idea, but now I might go with yours! I saw a recipe in the food network mag this month that was pasta, fresh mozz, olives, marinated artichokes, pepadews, fresh mint and/or basil, olive oil and lemon. Right before serving toss with arugula and roast beef. I'm not sure if I would use the beef or not, probably not because then it could sit out and not have to worry.

How do you make your poppers? Do you bake or fry?

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by calebsmommy25

How do you make your poppers? Do you bake or fry?

I bake. I blend the cream cheese with chopped soaked sundried tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil, fill the jalapeño halves, wrap them in partially cooked bacon and then bake them until the bacon is crisp (pan fry the bacon until it's translucent before wrapping - then the bacon will crisp up before the jalapeños are overcooked). They're always a huge hit.

But, so's my pasta salad... you definitely want to make it at least 1 day before, though, it improves as it sits. I just buy presliced green and black olives to make it go quicker, and tricolor pasta to make the appearance more attractive.

[calebsmommy25]

Awesome! Thanks so much! I think I will go with the poppers. I just found a recipe almost exactly like yours, but for the grill. Oh great, it is all coming together!

[InMediasRes]

Our fave appetizer is crostini topped with slices of fresh mozzerella, tomato, snipped fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper. YUM!

Salads we really like:

Apricot Almond Quinoa Salad
Asparagus, Tomato, and Olive Salad
BLT and Chicken Pasta Salad

We also love a mediterranean pasta type salad: bowtie noodles, feta, sliced cherry tomatoes (or chopped sundried tomatoes), kalamata olives, pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic, oil, and spices.

A potato salad recipe that isn't very traditional:
Dilly Red Potato Salad

A bean salad recipe:
Tuscan Bean Salad

Also, you can just do a three or four bean salad with a little red wine vinegar, garlic, oil and dill. It has to sit overnight.

Or what about just doing some veggie kabobs since you're already grilling, or grilling some asparagus? You can kabob the fruit too, which is fun for littles.

Have fun!

[mamadelbosque]

My go-to party foods that I always make/take are pasta salad (whole-wheat noodles, fresh veggies and home-made italian dressing), bean dip, salsa & chips.

[greeny]

This spinach artichoke dip is the best ever. I'm not kidding.