Who doesn’t love going to a holiday party? With lots of tasty food, desserts, and plenty of booze, what’s not to like? If you’re the one throwing the party, however, all the planning and preparation may not be your favorite part. To help make the party prep easier, our favorite holiday hack is party platters. But nothing says “NOT SPECIAL” like those old, tired meat and cheese packs because as all good hosts and hostesses know, not all party trays are created equal.
Here are some ideas of how to please everyone at your next gathering:
- Crudite Platter
Carrots, radishes, celery, snow peas, mini-peppers. It’s easy, fast and there’s NO COOKING!
Make sure to have a variety of dipping sauces. There are a million good recipes online for dipping sauces. We created one the other day for a party with roasted cauliflower that was delicious and vegan.
- Sweet and Salty Platter
Again — this one is easy. Strawberries, apples, grapes, a variety of salty nuts, pretzels, tortilla chips. Add an easy sweet dip (like 4 oz. of cream cheese, 1 cup marshmallow fluff and 1/2 cup yogurt), and a simple cheese-based dip (bring half and half to a light boil and add a little cornstarch for thickening, remove from heat and add sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese. Stir until melted. PRO TIP: Don’t use pre-shredded cheese…it won’t make a creamy mixture because it has a coating to keep it from clumping.)
- Antipasto Platter
All types of olives, pepperoni, summer sausages, prosciutto, goat and feta cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, and marinated mozzarella balls. Throw in humus for dipping and some cocktail bread or pita crackers and you still haven’t had to heat up the oven yet! Thick balsamic vinegar makes a great drizzle for this selection.
- The Special Eaters Platter
Gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian…what’s a hostess to do? Easy! Make a platter with an assortment of vegetables. Items like cherry tomatoes, cauliflower and cucumber pair well with an artichoke dip. Wasabi peas add spice. Salsa — both savory and sweet — are nice touches. Pumpkin seeds aren’t tree nuts, so those can be served, too. Gluten-free bread and crackers are available at most stores now. Costco has Milton’s Gluten-Free Crispy Sea Salt Baked Crackers that we serve a lot. Dried fruits and candied ginger are a nice change of pace and can add color to your platter.
- Dessert Platter
Chocolate fondue — white, milk or dark (or all three!) — makes everything special. Fill a platter with cut bananas, strawberries, donut holes, marshmallows, stick pretzels, brownie bites, mini-cheesecakes (available in many frozen food sections) and cookies. Want to add a little fun? Put a bowl of holiday “sprinkles” by the fondue.
AND NOW – TO MAKE IT REALLY SPECIAL…(drum roll please)….
- Seafood Platter
Crab, shrimp, oysters, snow crab cocktail claws, smoked salmon…nothing says special like fresh seafood. Lemons, tartar and cocktail sauces are the only accompaniment you need. BUT don’t forget — FRESH is the key, especially with oysters.
And, if you don’t have time to put it together — don’t worry — we can do it for you! We’ll platter it all up, make it pretty, and have it ready to pick up. Just call us and order ahead!
