Entertaining shouldn’t be stressful, as friends are gathering to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Still, I’ve often felt butterflies in my stomach as dinner guests arrive and I’m challenged to juggle laughing and having fun with getting a meal on the table.
Here’s a dinner party tip that never fails: Give guests a beverage and something to snack on, and you can take your time with dinner. The hors d’oeuvres below will only take about five minutes to prepare, and they’ll keep your friends busy (and happy!) while you finish preparing the main course.
Oysters on the Half Shell with Mignonette Sauce
Oysters make an elegant presentation with lemon wedges on a bed of ice — and don’t worry, shucking is easy to get the hang of. Mignonette sauce takes seconds to mix and gives the dish a homemade feel.
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Prosciutto-Stuffed Figs
Fall figs have a rich sweetness that pairs beautifully with salty prosciutto. These delicious bites are easy to prepare ahead of time — no cooking required.
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Crab Salad with Endive
Curved, sturdy endive spears create a lovely base for salads and savory combinations. Mix a crab salad with herbs, mayonnaise and a few other ingredients, then scoop it onto the spears and serve.
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Antipasto Platter
Antipasti are my go-to hors d’oeuvres, because there’s something for everyone and zero cook time. Use the recipe in the link above as a guide, but you can choose any cured meats, nuts, olives and pickles you like.
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Walnut Crostini with Gorgonzola and Pear
Nutty sliced bread is topped with Gorgonzola cheese and thin pear slices in this seasonal recipe, which takes just a few minutes to assemble. Pour a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy!
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2 comments
Love the walnut crostini idea. Perfect for fall….
Awesome ideas that I will certainly try, thank you!