Throwing a party or hosting a gathering is an excellent way to display your culinary skills. However, cleanup and equal portioning can be a bit of a pain. Here are three pre-portioned, easy-to-clean and completely sharable food ideas.
Pizza bites are a universal go-to food for many. They have a lovely outer crust that could land anywhere from a decadent and flaky crisp to a soft and flavorful dough. Inside, your favorite pizza toppings marinate with delicious sauce and roll around in a host of mozzarella cheese, sometimes with a few other players such as asiago or parmesan. The best part about these tiny bites is there are so many variations of them.
These snacks are available in the most widely known calzone-style fold-over morsel, or they can be opened-faced atop your favorite type of bread or bakery item much akin to miniature flatbreads. The choice is yours. And, with their size and portability, you can ensure that there’s more than enough to share.
Deli roll-ups are amazing little delicacies because of their ability to appeal to such a wide crowd. If you already know your guests’ dietary preferences, you can create a few trays of these little appetizers. Gluten-free? Try a lettuce or cold-cut for the wrapping if you don’t have any gluten-free wraps. Lactose-intolerant? Skip the cheese on a few and add a nice vinaigrette or loose sauce either as a side for dipping or gently coating the inside of the dish. No matter diet, mini deli roll-ups are a host’s best creative friend.
Kabobs, minis on a stick and everything in-between are part of this astounding finger food. Classic skewers are a great way to handle a few of your gathering’s road bumps, including awkward amounts of raw ingredients.
If you have anything left over or you were simply planning skewers from the beginning, cook the ingredients, arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way and skewer with your favorite food-safe stick or holder. You can either lay them out in a design or simply stack them with staggering sticks so your guests can grab one or two without touching the rest of them.
As with all food preparation, be sure to keep your area clean and all food at the proper temperatures.
Kathy Borawski is a Northampton native who started in the Real Estate Industry in1985. She is a product of the Northampton public schools and a Northampton taxpayer, landlord, and co-founder of HARP, The Hampshire Association of Rental Properties, and a 3rd generation real estate broker, having learned the business from her father.
