All, Entertaining, Living
Our Go-To Hors D’oeuvres for Easy Entertaining
We love having friends over. We love cooking. So why is it that we’re all so intimidated by the concept of a dinner party?
For whatever reason, many of us have it in our heads that dinner parties are easy to mess up and difficult to master. Truth is, though: anyone can throw a fantastic dinner party – no matter your current cooking or hosting expertise level. It all starts from the ground up: with hors d’oeuvres.
Serving excellent hors d’oeuvres at a dinner party satiates your guests immediately, meaning no one will be upset if the seated dinner is not a multi-course affair, while also giving you time to put the finishing touches on whatever you decide to whip up. Plus, blowing your guests away with an unexpected appetizer set impresses them off the bat, giving you instant hosting credibility.
Below, three of our favorite unconventional appetizers to serve when the cheese and charcuterie board just isn’t cutting it anymore (yes, pun intended).
The Healthy One
Hosting a soiree that placates both those with big appetites and the seriously health-conscious? We’ve got you covered. Take some cauliflower, cut it into florets, douse it in some avocado oil, then roll the oiled cauliflower either in Whisps Cheese Crisps (keto-friendly, low-carb, gluten-free) or, if catering to a vegan crew, nutritional yeast. Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Et voila!
The Crowd Pleaser
The perennial crowd favorite, roasted garlic, takes a little bit longer to cook, but, with very little active time, its low effort and worth the wait. Take four or five small garlic bulbs, cut off the tops with a sharp knife, sprinkle with sea salt and a bit of olive oil, and wrap in tinfoil. Place on a baking sheet for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, begin to check the garlic every 15 minutes, removing it around 75 minutes, or when garlic is soft and brown. Serve with thick cut pieces of untoasted fresh baguette. The garlic should be soft enough to squeeze onto the baguette and sprinkle with sea salt. If you make this for a party once, we can promise your guests will be back for more.
The Customizable
Beyond their well-deserved reputation as the most beloved Hanukkah food, latkes are filling, delicious, and versatile. Spend 45 minutes prepping and frying the latkes (sub flour for matzo meal if needed), then create a “toppings bar” around them: applesauce for those with a sweet tooth, sour cream, smoked salmon, and dill for a savory situation, and caviar, for the guest who’s feeling extra fancy.
If you take our advice and try out any of our casa-approved hors d’oeuvres for your next get-together, use #casadesuna on social media to let us know. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
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