Party Food Ideas (Adult)

[joeyjo]

So DH and I are throwing a drinks and nibbles party this Saturday night as it is the last chance we really have before baby arrives. I'm busy planning the food and have some ideas for cold canapes but was hoping to do a few warm things too. I don't want to make a full buffet but I want to make sure there is plenty of choice. I'd rather cook than buy frozen stuff coz its expensive here.

Any ideas for other (ideally easy but impressive) recipes would be most welcome. Best is things I can prepare in advance and then just stickin the oven or grill for 10-15min....

So far I have planned:

COLD:
Crisps, Nuts, Olives...
Fresh bread, cheeses & chutney
Tomato, feta and basil bites (on cocktail sticks)
Melon wrapped in parma ham (on cocktail sticks)
Crostini/mini toasts with smoked salmon pate
Crostini/mini toasts with olive tapenade and roast pepper

HOT:
Tomato and Mozzerella tartlets
Tandoori spiced chicken bites

SWEET: (don't think I need anymore)
Banana & walnut loaf
Cupcakes
Jam button biscuits
M&Ms

 

[Kitten]

Bruschetta might be nice, I know you have your crostini but I mean in terms of something hot. Like just get a french stick and cut into rings and top with cheese and tomato or whatever and have as like mini pizzas.
You could get a pack of samosas and do the same with them, again, you just chuck them in the oven for however long and they can be eaten hot or cold.

 

[lozzy21]

You could do a some curry and some chilli and a pig pan of rice or jacket taties.

 

[joeyjo]

Kitten: bruschetta is a good idea but possibly a bit similar to my tartlets - I might try pepper tarts and do bruschettas too...
Can't get samosas easily here I don't think.

Lozzy: I had thought of doing a chilli/curry type dish but I'm trying to keep it to finger food as much as possible not doing a full buffet meal.

I have just found a recipe for spicy sausage rolls that sounds good...

 

[lozzy21]

Is it a sophisticated party or is every one going to be hammerd by the end?

 

[joeyjo]

Most people are coming at least half an hour on public transport, some will be driving. Although I suspect most people will be tipsy and a bit loud; I don't think they'll be hammered so I'd say semi-sophisticated...

Most of the parties I've been to here have been similar with just 1 or 2 pissheads who live very near and tend to sit in a corner on the balcony setting the world to rights! Also a lot of people here tend to pay for some of the catering but I can no way afford that!

 

[lozzy21]

Hmmm

Hot, spring rolls, samosas, onion barjee's. Chicken bits marinated in different things. Mini pizza's. Jacket potato bites (do some jacket potato's in the oven so the skin goes crispy and then spoon the potato from the middle into a bowl, mash and then mix it with cheese or tuna mayo and then spoon it back in the skins. I usualy do this in advance and then just walm them up when needed.)

 

[joeyjo]

ooo I like the pre-filled jackets idea - that could work really well!

 

[NuKe]

sushi? although that's not for everyone... hmmm... what about steak dippers? I made this once. You basically get some frying steak, grill it, cut into little pieces (about an inch square), stick them on cocktail sticks and have a selection of sauce? Like pepper sauce, sweet chilli, horseradish etc

 

[joeyjo]

Too many pregnant girls coming to serve sushi! Plus I love sushi and I'm not having others eat it in my apartment when I can't!!

Like the steak idea tho'

 

[maddiwatts19]

i dont really have any ideas, but was just wondering if i could come because that list of food made my mouth water!!!
hope it all goes well! x

 

[Kitten]

OMG you live in Switzerland? FONDUE!! hehe.

 

[joeyjo]

I'd be a social outcast if I served fondue before the first snow!!!

Plus fondue is something to be eaten at other people's apartments - it stinks the place out

 

[Kitten]

God I love fondue, I could live on it, they've only just started selling it in the UK again, I had to stock up when I went to Switzerland, hehe.

 

[MoonMuffin]

Everyone loves pigs in a blanket!

 

[Sweetie]

Baked mushroom caps stuffed with cream cheese/garlic/shrimp ect. If you'd like a recipe/ method pm me.
Brushetta can be done hot or cold (recipes for both as well)
Quiche made with ham/cheese/spinach/
Wheel of brie warmed and topped with sweet chili sauce. People "slice" bits off and put on crackers can have a bit of shredded lettuce and green onions on the side as toppers too (really good)
Mussels in chipoltle cream sauce are good too
Mini salmon/ seafood wraps. Phyllo wrapped around bit size pieces of salmon or shrimp with a bit of cream cheese and sometimes a bit of spicy/ course mustard or sweet chili sauce brushed with melted butter and baked, take only a few minutes to bake and very yummy.

 

[tasha41]

MMM I agree with Sweetie stuffed mushroom caps *DROOL* they are delicious!!

There's this Brie thing we get here, it's in a pastry with a cranberry jelly in it too, you put it in the oven and it's all melty and gooey and delicious..

 

[wishing4bub#3]

hi just thought i would give you a yummy idea we do for nibbles.
we make mini pizzaz on puff pastry but we use more of a gourmet topping.
dice chicken, avacado, sun dried tomatoe and camambert cheese mix it all together then place on the puff pastry in even ammounts very yummy the other mix we make is cook smoked bacon, muchroom and oninon (sautee) then mix in some home made tomatoe sauce. i dice peeled tomatoe, dice black olives, crushed garlic and diced onion, simmer for a few hours it tastes great. then sprinkle fresh parmasen cheese it always a massive hit at our drinks and nibbles

good luck i hope you have a great night

 

[joeyjo]

I've found a super simple recipe for mushrooms topped with grilled halloumi and a sweet chilli sauce - I think its the easiest recipe I've ever found so I'm going to stick with that mushroom one!

Love the wheel of brie idea .... mmmmmm

And wishing4abub#3 - you've got me drooling!