Appetizers for a HEAVY lunch!

I'm serving my daughter's favorites at her 4th birthday party and I'd like to have an adult appetizer that complements the menu (if possible) and isn't overly heavy. I'm serving not only chicken parmesan, but a heavy ziti and cheese casserole! What would you do?

I should add that I'm well-known (among the adults anyway) for serving interesting food so the appetizer is my chance to wow them. It can be cut up veggies, but there has to be a twist!

How about starting off with a nice tossed lettuce salad?
as a first course, instead of appetizers?
Or to you want something the guests can eat with a drink?
I remember in one of Julia Child's books, she served asparagus
on little wedges of puff pasty, which you can buy frozen.
that would be light.
or some nice summer melon cut up.
good luck!

How about cantaloupe with prosciutto wrapped around it? You could cut the melon in bite-sized pieces and tooth pick on the prosciutto. Melon is so good and inexpensive right now. Also, go to the deli and get some salami and make cornets out of them. (Fold in fourths and bring up one edge.) Put a black olive in the middle. Roll up ham slices and cut. Think of the antipasta platters you have had, and de-construct them.

How about the famous/infamous Caprese salad? Just alternate layers of sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with a good quality extra-virgin olive oil and fresh basil leaves.

quote:

Originally posted by Shewmaker

How about the famous/infamous Caprese salad? Just alternate layers of sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with a good quality extra-virgin olive oil and fresh basil leaves.

I've been doing a version of this for parties for a few years now and it's always a hit. Put a grape tomato, a fresh basil leaf and a matching chunk of fresh mozzarella on a toothpick. Sprinkle with extra-virgin olive oil and black pepper. Easy to do ahead of time and they sure go fast!

Your from Boston with that menu try stuffed little necks, or go to Haymarket on a Fri or Sat and get a large basket of button mushrooms and stuff them. Chow Jim

i have a couple that go over good
grilled shrimp buy frozen unless you live near near the west coast and can get fresh. take shell off put 2-3 on skewers you can stretch them to get as straight as possible. drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle old bay over them. grill 2-3 mins a side.
teriyaki beef pork or chicken
find soy vay(Brand name of teriyaki)if possible if not buy a teriyaki add garlic basil and red onion. place meat on skewers grill 4-5 mins a side. chicken breast, pork loin roast or london broil work well. eggplant sanwiches cut eggplant 1/2in thick marinate in balsamic garlic and basil,grill 2mins on 1 side. place cheese between 2 grilled sides preferably goat cheese to make sandwich then grill both side 2 mins. then make a roasted pepper dipping sauce, you can roast peppers your self or buy i don't find a big difference
pulse peppers in food processor then cook in pan with garlic and basil to thicken. you can finish sauce my mixing butter at the end. use the garlic basil and onion as you see fit, i usually don't make all 3, so you don't want flavor s to overlap.

quote:

Originally posted by limajo

I'm serving my daughter's favorites at her 4th birthday party and I'd like to have an adult appetizer that complements the menu (if possible) and isn't overly heavy. I'm serving not only chicken parmesan, but a heavy ziti and cheese casserole! What would you do?

I should add that I'm well-known (among the adults anyway) for serving interesting food so the appetizer is my chance to wow them. It can be cut up veggies, but there has to be a twist!

For the adults.. Donkey Tails! (shaved thin ham slices with cream cheese spread over it, rolled up in onion or chive stalks)... Always keeps folks happy when I serve them.. Otherwise, a homemade cheese ball thats unique with an assortment of crackers (both kids and adults will love it)... OR, take some cocktail weiners, toss them in a crock pot and cover them with grape jelly... Let it simmer a few hours then serve on a small platter with some toothpicks... Homemade Fried Taco Wontons.. Taco Bar.. Chips with a homemade bean dip.. Dominos 3 for 15 buck deal...

You guys are great... now I'm more undecided than when I started!! I think the little "caprese salad kabobs" will be my choice - or maybe a combination of those and shrimp on the same platter. Thanks again! I'm glad I found you!

quote:

Originally posted by limajo

You guys are great... now I'm more undecided than when I started!! I think the little "caprese salad kabobs" will be my choice - or maybe a combination of those and shrimp on the same platter. Thanks again! I'm glad I found you!

One thing I've found helps with the skewers is that they make containers with olive-sized mozarella balls packed in brine. I've even found them at the supermarkets. They make assembly of the skewers really fast!

Mix together goat cheese, pesto, and enough cream cheese to make it smooth. Put in a pastry bag with a ruffled tip and use to fill blanched snap peas or baby zucchini. Very impressive-looking, but easy.

I went to a friends last night for a "donation" party, his young wife made a unique imo canape that was a huge hit... basically cream cheese with taco seasoning mix, piped onto dorito chips with chopped green onion and grated cheese sprinkled over the top. A variaty of chip flavorings changed each one just enougfh to keep you going back for another