Summer is here and it's the season for fun in the sun. This is the time for casual entertaining with a cocktail party, BBQ, or a light outdoor buffet.
Organization is the key to successful entertaining. Decide what kind of party works for you. Plan the menu and make lists. Here are some tips:
- Keep your menu simple and prepare and cook as much as possible ahead of time.
- Take an inventory of serving containers for each dish you plan to make.
- Clean out your fridge before you go shopping to make room for all your prepared food.
- Set up a drink area and have someone else look after it for you.
- If entertaining sounds overwhelming, practice makes perfect. Choose something you are familiar with, or try out a recipe on your family a few times to perfect it.
- Buy dessert from a pastry shop.
- Set the table the night before.
Decorating your table can set the mood of a dinner party. Mismatched dishes, glasses, placemats, and napkins work well together if you are looking for a more casual atmosphere. Using different shapes and sizes of dishes and glasses can create an eclectic and funky party that will be a topic of conversation when you pass around your assortment of party food.
Use colourful ingredients, contrasting textures, and your imagination. Remember it should be the food everyone notices first, then the container.
Use glasses to serve more than just drinks—it's practical and attractive. Give your guests a feast for their eyes. Serve individual portions of appetizers, salads, and desserts in drinking glasses; it is more practical than you think, since balancing plates of food when walking around mingling with other guests can be a challenge.
By being organized and having everything ready ahead of time, you will have time to relax and enjoy yourself and give your guests a party to remember.
Party Food Ideas in Glassware
Shown in the photo are some fun and simple party food ideas to serve in drinking glasses.
Front row: Shooter glasses are wonderful for serving shrimp with cocktail sauce and a sprig of cilantro. Or use them for feta cheese hors d'oeuvres with olive, basil, and cherry tomato. Use taller glasses for layered sour cream and roasted red and green pepper dip.
Middle row: Fill a coffee mug with chilled cucumber soup and sprinkle chopped chives on top. Serve crab salad in a tea-light bowl and garnish with parsley. Or add a fresh flower to go with vegetables and dip in an old-fashioned drinking glass.
Back row: A margarita glass is perfect for serving cantaloupe balls (made with melon ballers available in kitchen shops and many dollar stores). Use a highball glass to hold long and slender cinnamon sugar puff pastry cookies. And offer your guests raspberry sundae in a delicate martini glass.
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