<p>S '14 is on varsity baseball, and one family kindly offered to host the team dinner (it’s about 10 days away). Probably about 30-50 people. I volunteered to bring hors d’oeuvres for 30. They already have people bringing sides and salads.</p>
<p>It’ll be outside, with burgers and hot dogs. Parents will be there too. I work, so anything I can pick up (or ask H to pick up) the day of is probably best, but I really like the idea of melon balls wrapped in prosciutto. Can you make that ahead (like in the morning before work) and it’s still good at 7 pm that night? </p>
<p>Or should I stick with buying a veggie platter? The dip thing kind of grosses me out…</p>
<p>I also love the idea of crostini with tomato basil and mozzarella, but no way could I do that after work and before the dinner.</p>
<p>Any tips/suggestions will be much appreciated!</p>
<ul>
<li>Head to Costco. they have great selection of frozen hors derves. S’14 can pop on baking sheet and they will be warm & ready to go when you get home.</li>
<li>skewers of mozzarela ball & grape tomatoes can be made ahead of time.<br></li>
<li>buy the crudite platter, but serve it with higher quality dressing and/or humas. </li>
<li>basket of Tostitos, salsa & humas. (or humas w pita bread)</li>
</ul>
<p>^^ great suggestions and decently kid friendly too. Buy some fresh basil and add a leaf onto the toothpick with a grape tomato and mini fresh mozz ball.</p>
<p>I promise you the baseball team will love this dip, even though you said the “dip thing grosses you out”.
Do the other platters, but if you include this, I’m certain it will be ‘different and eaten quickly’-
(20 year olds in my house love it and it’s favorite at husband’s poker evenings)</p>
<p>**Jalapeno Popper Spread <a href=“dip%20with%20crackers”>/b</a>
From All Recipes .com with 2500 reviews!</p>
<p>2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
2 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained -<a href=“hot%20jalapenos%20quadruple%20this%20amount%20for%20some%20real%20flavor,%20and%20I%20dice%20them”>b</a>**
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions</p>
<p>Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth.
Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers.
Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.</p>
<p>Baked Version-
If you would like to brown the cheese, bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes.</p>
<p>I made prosciutto & melon a day ahead once. Never again. The melon was mushy and the salt of the prosciut intensified.</p>
<p>I’d go with deviled eggs. Load the stuffing mix into zip-lock bags, cut a corner and squeeze into the egg halves. Quick and easy. The only downside might be storage space in your refrigerator.</p>
<p>second not overthinking teenage boys food! I would skip any sort of veggies for them - parents, however, would probably appreciate if they are invited. </p>
<p>Costco has popcorn chicken that heats up in the microwave in <5 minutes. That and chips/salsa/humas and you are good to go!</p>
<p>How 'bout meatballs? Seems boys always love meat! Frozen meatballs and a bottle of marinara sauce in a crockpot…grab some toothpicks on your way out the door and you’re set!</p>
<p>I love making a large plate with hummus sprinkled with smoked paprika, chopped cukes, chopped red onions, halved cherry tomatoes, black olives and pita wedges. I find that with the wedges and the other goodies, people take a small plate and move away from the platter. </p>
<p>If I am a little more ambitious I make either baba ganoush and put the hummus in the center of the plate and circle the baba ganoush around the hummus and then place the pita wedges around the edge of the plate. When I make it this way, I place the other goodies in little bowls nearby. </p>
<p>OR, sometimes I use salsa verde instead of the baba ganoush.</p>
<p>I make sure to have two serving spoons nearby so people aren’t dipping, they are ladling!</p>
<p>Today my son snarfed through a delicious and easy appetizer - hot rolls or bread dipped in hot olive oil with garlic, rosemary and chile peppers. But if you serve this, please have some healthy alternatives!</p>
<p>It is always good to have veggies available for those guests that will not like the other food choices. Make your own tray with a homemade dip and homemade crustinis. The kids will eat the crustini’s for sure. The old stand by of spinach dip is always popular(the one make with the veggie soup mix) You can spice it up a little though with some mrs dash and a little of the chopped garlic that you can buy already jarred.</p>
<p>crustinis and the dip can be made the day before. The crustini’s can be rewarmed before going to the party to assure crispness. They look impressive too. For variety use some different types of bread(rolls) Get rolls that are a submarine size and use-pumpernickel, sourdough, rye, and italian.</p>
<p>slice thin and drizzle with olive oil.
sprinkle on top:
unsalted seasoning(mrs dash is good because there are large flakes and not too much pepper)
granulated garlic
a little grated Parmesan or Romano</p>
<p>cook until toasted and crunchy, bag when cool.</p>