Calculate about five appetizers per guest. For a cocktail reception without a formal meal, aim for 10 to 12 pieces each, 2 or 3 of them for dessert.
2. Serve small bites
Skip oversized or hard-to-eat hors d’oeuvres. The perfect appetizer can be eaten in just one or two bites effortlessly and free of mess.
Isabelle's Recipes
Sausage and Mustard Puff Pastry Rolls
Holiday Hors D'oeuvres
Fried Halloumi Bites
3. Watch the salt
Salty bites may leave guests parched, which can lead to excessive drinking. The solution? Go easy on the salt and the charcuterie. Also make sure ice water is readily available to accompany the alcohol.
To Freeze
Miso-Honey Pork Meatballs
Potluck
Carrot Blinis
4. Switch things up
Many store-bought appetizers (cheese straws, fried egg rolls, mini quiches, sausage rolls) are very rich and sit heavily in the stomach. To keep things light, think more along the lines of vegetables, fish and seafood: cucumber with smoked trout, salmon mousse, fish ceviche, stuffed mushrooms…
Appetizers
Cream of Leek and Crispy Cheese Verrines
Dips and salty spreads
Salmon Mousse
Make sure to have empty surfaces for when guests need somewhere to put down their drinks: Eating while holding a glass, plate and napkin can be quite the juggling act. Have a few empty bowls on hand for skewers, pits and shells.
6. A simple trick
Spread a thin layer of butter or cream cheese on crackers and grilled bread before adding a moist topping. This creates a protective barrier, keeping them dry and crispy longer.
Vegetarian
Marinated Mushroom Crostini
Holiday Starters and Sides
Hot Crab Dip
7. Presentation is key
Impress your guests by finding new and unique ways to serve your appetizers. Let your imagination run wild and use items like bamboo skewers, appetizer spoons, endive leaves and shot glasses to keep things interesting.
Vegetables and gratinees
Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk
Recipes for Entertaining
Mini Chicken Caesar Skewers
8. Know how to delegate
Put those kids to work! Hand them a serving tray and you’ve got adorable mini-waiters. Or if you’d prefer to keep the children behind-the-scenes, they can help out by preparing their own party bites. You have less to do; they’re kept busy.
Pour enfants
Bouchées de nachos toutes garnies
Pains salés
Pain-pizza « pige dedans »
9. Be savvy when serving
To save some money, kick off the evening with a spread of affordable bites like crudités, olives and bruschetta first. Then, once everyone’s no longer ravenous, you can serve more luxurious items like foie gras bites, duck confit and tartare.
Slow Cooker Recipes
Warm Leek and Cheddar Dip
Hors d'oeuvres
Chorizo Oysters au Gratin
Want to look like you spent more than you actually did? Display hors d’oeuvres on several small plates scattered throughout the entertaining space rather than on one large serving tray. That’ll have more of an effect.
For more festive ideas, be sure to check out our wide selection of holiday recipes:
