4 Easy Appetizer Tips with Crunchy Edamame Toasts

Remember the golden rule for entertaining, always make your guests feel at home, and start off a dinner party with a delicious appetizer, like these Crunchy Edamame Toasts!

Remember the golden rule for entertaining, always make your guests feel at home, and start off a dinner party with a yummy drink and a delicious appetizer, like these Crunchy Edamame Toasts!

Today I’m sharing my 4 appetizer tips, and something I figured out a few years back when it comes to creating appetizers: That is that it’s okay to try something new!

If you want to try a new recipe.

The first course of a meal, the hors d’oeuvres, is a perfect time to try out a new food combination or recipe on your guests. Great idea! It’s usually a few bites, the guests won’t feel like they have to eat it if it’s something they detest, and it’s a fun time to watch their facial expressions, or listen to the comments regarding something new!

Mmm-m-m- … what is this?
I love this combination.
This is healthy?
A new kind of cheese!
I’ve never had this before!
Sweet and savory?

Go ahead and break the rules.

Go ahead and break the rules and make appetizers in your own personal style.

Few tips to follow:

1. Appetizers are usually served in one bite, usually without a fork or spoon, and on a napkin. But, if you’re serving a dip or something gooey, I always set out little plates and plop a big spoon into the dish you’re serving.

2. It’s okay if they are not homemade. Combining store-bought food items, such as cheese, olives, bread, crackers, fruit, jellies, spreads – can be the perfect “quick fix” appetizer. You can always make semi-homemade appetizers, such as using puff pastry, or bakery baguettes, and make your own dip (like today’s recipe!).

3. For a larger group, try to serve 2-3 appetizers to please all the palates and different diets. For a smaller group, one appetizer is usually fine. People can choose to “pass” on this first course, if they want to.

4. Appetizers don’t have to cost a lot of money. You can get a lot of bites out of one baguette, or a box of crackers with a homemade dip, or one wedge of cheese with grapes and crackers. Don’t overdo and set out a zillion appetizers that no one will eat, or that the guests will fill up on before the meal begins!

I also enjoy asking my guests to bring appetizers. It’s a course that does not have to tie in with the main meal, which means as a hostess, it’s nice to have the first course arrive and be a surprise to all! (No controlling that portion of the menu.)

Keep edamame in the freezer.

My daughter whipped up this delicious homemade spread the other evening for our guests using frozen edamame. It was healthy, different, and each bite was a “wow, this is awesome!”

I hope you’ll enjoy it, and have fun creating your own appetizers!

Go ahead and break the rules!

What’s your “favorite” appetizer that you have created?

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Get the Recipe:

Crunchy Edamame Toasts

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 8

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Ingredients

 

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• 1 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 12 slices baguette bread, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 2 Tbsp. basil, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. Roasted Garlic and Black Pepper, McCormick seasoning

Instructions

 

• Boil edamame in salted water for 5 minutes; drain.
• In a food processor, puree edamame, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and pressed garlic.
• Broil the bread with lightly brushed olive oil to make crunchy toasts.
• Spread the topping onto the toasts. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Roasted Garlic and Black Pepper seasoning. Serve.

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

More edamame recipes:

10-minute Restaurant Style Edamame {Kevin and Amanda}

Asian Quinoa Salad with Edamame {Two Peas and Their Pod}

Thai Spice Crispy Edamame {Well Plated}