Appetizers: Are They Essential or Can You Do Without?
During my early years of entertaining I took pride in planning a 5-6 course meal. I say pride, because that is when I was in to: “impressing,” and unnecessarily so. (You can read more about this in my book, The Reluctant Entertainer.)
Here’s what I take into consideration when deciding whether to serve appetizers or not:
– the cost of the meal
– how I’m delegating the entrees
– the amount of food
– the time frame of the evening
– how many people are coming
– if wine is being served
Appetizers aren’t always essential, only because we are trying to eat LESS food these days. But they can still be served, and a “light” appetizer is nice. But they don’t have to be elaborate. Having a little something to munch on (like nuts or chips and a dip or crackers and cheese) is perfect for this course.
When our friends came for dinner last weekend, I didn’t put much thought into what I served because I already had the ingredients.
To be prepared, keep these ingredients on hand:
– cheese
– crackers
– fruit
– nuts
– chutney (Harry & David chutney is always stocked in my pantry)
With a simple display and some small plates and cocktail napkins, create an intimate setting and ENJOY a few bites, but I say let’s save our efforts for the main meal, right?
Do you think appetizers are essential, or can you do without?
(I served a Mozzarella Log Wrapped In Prosciutto and Honey Crisp apples with crackers.)
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
It’s nice to have something out as people come in….just seems more “hostess like” to me. My Mother was a southern gal and you knew if you walked into her home…she had lots of little things to eat….oh, and you never left her home without a goodie bag…..always great food.
Essential? Well, probably not–but they’re my favorite part of the meal! And I love the way they get people to relax and visit together even if dinner is still being prepared.
We always keep nuts (have you tried Costco’s Marcona almonds?) and cheeses and crackers on hand. Add some grapes and you’re in business!
We always have something out for people to nibble on, be it brie with crackers, fresh fruit and cheese with wine before dinner. Nothing to heavy , just something to get the evening started. I like be able to start the evening off slow and then have dinner about an hour after our guests arrive, so it does take the edge off…..
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie
I rarely do appetizers. I will sometimes have nuts, or veggies, something simple. I suppose it would all depend. When we have leaders parties we do all appetizers (finger foods). It is just too much food to have appetizers, main dish, dessert…unless there’s a good time span between the them.
I am actually trying to avoid appetizers when I plan a “dinner.” I tend to fill up on them, still eat dinner, and hate myself afterwards for overeating. Even when I have a party where the food consists of just appetizers, I try to limit them. I’ve been to gatherings where everyone brings something, which is nice, but then you end up tossing a lot of the food. Or in my case, overeating.
So when I am planning dinner, it’s usually just that. After all, it’s about all I can do sometimes to get all of the food on the table, much less an appetizer along with it!
I can definitely do without them but if you have a guest list where some people will most likely arrive late it’s nice to have something for the people who are on time or early to nibble on…
I love appetizers! Sometimes when I’m out, I’ll even order one for dinner. And we, too, have had many parties where that’s all we serve. But when I am doing a big dinner, then I do tend to put out something simple. I like your ideas, and I need some things always on hand because ever since we moved, people are always popping in!
we do lots of grazing in our house when we entertain and i have been known to throw only finger food bashes. a LOT. It’s just easier – especially in the summer for some reason. We do lots of brie, hard cheeses and salamis, olives and yes, chutneys. I think i keep costco in business by buying tons of crackers – it’s kind of a weakness here.
I love this idea! Appetizers can be so much lighter than a heavy dinner…unless you totally pig out on them (C: but I love it…especially when you mention salami!! I LOVE SALAMI!
It seems anymore that if we have appetizers, that’s all we serve for that gathering (and dessert)!
Like you said. It depends on the number of people etc. If we are bbqing I like to have munchies out because we are usually outside playing and it’s good to have a little something on the belly while burgers are cooking. Other than that I probably wouldn’t serve appetizers at a formal dinner because I wouldn’t want people to fill up before the good stuff comes out. LOL!