Holiday party foods don't have to be a hassle.
Food is one of the most important elements of a successful party, but it often takes significant time to prepare, leaving hosts frazzled and drained by the time the festivities begin. When it comes to choosing celebratory fare, selecting easy-to-make holiday foods lets hosts focus on having fun, not cooking up complicated dishes. Focusing on finger foods and do-it-yourself dishes is often the easiest route to a holiday bash with unforgettable party food.
Drinks
Offering guests a full selection of alcohol is generous, but it can get pricey and complicated. To make things easier on the pocketbook, provide both virgin and alcoholic versions of a signature, holiday-themed drink. For the Fourth of July, entertaining expert Katie Brown suggests a patriotic rum punch layered on top of the fruit liquor Hpnotiq and served in margarita glasses. For Christmas holiday festivities, try a rum and eggnog beverage with a candy cane swizzle stick.
Appetizer
Easy-to-hold finger foods work well to warm up the crowd's appetite, and sliced vegetables and cheese are a perennial holiday favorite. One unique twist: Goat cheese logs, festively decorated and served with whole-grain crackers, work well at Easter or Christmas. Country Living magazine recommends buying two logs and rolling one in a mixture of sherry and paprika and another in a tasty mixture of chopped dill and parsley. Other tasty, unique and easy appetizer choices include store-bought hummus and toasted whole-wheat pita wedges; a sliced baguette served with garlic or basil oil; and cheese-filled pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes and artichoke chunks and served in disposable foil muffin cups.
Salad
Keep guests circulating with easy-to-eat salads. Load a tray with crunchy breadsticks, olives, wide romaine lettuce leaves, and a centerpiece of Caesar dressing for dipping. Guests will love the healthy appetizer. A refreshing bean salad made with a tangy dressing and served in pint-size Dixie cups is another great choice for summer holiday barbecues, like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
Entree
For hosts who want to socialize instead of slave in the kitchen, give guests the do-it-yourself option. On a table, set out an indoor grill, tortillas and an array of toppings like salsa, sour cream, beans, sliced chicken and beef, cheese and guacamole and let your guests craft their own quesadilla and burrito creations. Another build-your-own favorite: sushi. Provide sticky rice, wasabi, fish, seaweed and pickled ginger and let guests roll and slice their own creations.
Dessert
Finding a delicious dessert that won't take too much time in the kitchen isn't difficult, thanks to the Food Network's Sandra Lee. For holiday parties, she suggests using whole-wheat tortillas and apple pie filling to create a baked mini apple pie that guests will die for. To take all the work off the host's plate, a sundae bar---complete with sweet sauces, candy toppings and a variety of ice cream flavors---is a holiday hit any time of year.
Tags: finger foods, Fourth July, served with, work well
