Foods Your Guests Will Obsess Over
The difference between a good and a great party is all in the food. Whether you're hosting five people, 20, or more, the surest way into their hearts is through comfort foods: dishes that are savory, salty, and evoke that old-fashioned, home-style cooking in which everyone's grandma excelled.
Indulging in our childhood favorites can be comforting — remember that wonderful time before calorie-counting and dietary restrictions? These days, moderation is the key when indulging in these sentimental favorites, which is why I recommend turning them into appetizer and small-bite portions.
Serving these dishes as appetizers puts a new spin on the classics. Food stations are always a delightful way to go — think buffet-style, with lots of options. Serving platters and or floating trays are great for spreading out the clutter when groups flock to certain areas.
Here are some dishes to hit your guests right in their comfort zone:
Cookies and Milk
Variety! Remember, not everyone is a chocolate chip kind of person. Add oatmeal, white chocolate chips, and macadamia nuts to these selections.
Fish and chips
Mashed Potato Bar
An ultimate childhood favorite! Create a station with all sorts of toppings, like sour cream, chives, scallions, mushrooms, bacon bites, chorizo, shredded cheese, mushrooms, and more! Get creative with it.
Mini Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Use different types of cheese. My favorites are Gouda, Muenster, and sharp white Cheddar.
Strawberry Shortcake in a Jar
Choose a selection of desserts in mini jars. They're cute as décor and tasty small bites.
Tacos and Tequila
Fish and beef tacos are what most people prefer, but don't forget to add a vegetarian option. After all, they all wash down great with margaritas — half rim salt, please.