“Bring an appetizer” is a common request, or challenge, for a gathering of friends. Whatever the event, you want to bring something people will like. It isn’t always easy to come up with something that is a winner, but here are a 8 keys that will increase your chances of success:
The primary ingredient tastes great.
OK, that seems to be an oversimplification, but it is true. The majority of people like a perfectly cooked piece of beef or seafood. Of course there are vegans and people that don’t eat meat or seafood, but they are in the minority. Just about everybody likes a perfectly grilled piece of steak or shrimp.
Keep it low carb.
Most of us are trying to watch our weight. Watch what gets eaten off of a neighborhood buffet of appetizers. My experience is that people will gravitate to a low carb offering, even if it really isn’t all that healthy, under the pretense that they are better off with low carb versus filling up on chips and dip.
Layer in flavor.
Chef Vendome, my friend and culinary muse, used to preach about layering in flavor. Our old mantra of “Nothing influences the flavor of food more than how it is cooked” is true. Adding flavor with grilling helps versus boiling. Given a choice between a grilled shrimp and a boiled shrimp, people will pick the grilled shrimp. It also never hurts to add a sauce that you know people will like. For example, I have used an Asian sweet chili sauce on a variety of things that people love.
Don’t forget seasoning.
Chefs are trained at culinary school that if you don’t get a complaint or two every night about too much salt you are not adding enough salt and pepper. One reason restaurant food tastes better is that professional chefs are heavy handed with the salt.
Add freshness.
If you can add fresh herbs or fresh fruit your guests will pick it. Fresh herbs and fruit add wonderful flavor, but they also add to the perception of healthy.
People eat with their eyes
Presentation really helps. I like to add a small vase of fresh herbs or flowers to the platter. Adding something that catches and pleases the eye works well.
Holds up at room temperature.
Not everything works well after sitting out at room temperature on a buffet of appetizers. There are some appetizers that have to be served hot and just don’t work at room temperature. If you can serve something that will be good for at least an hour, you will be more successful.
Remember that there will be other appetizers
My mother asked me to make an appetizer for her college event. She insisted I make enough for everyone not remembering this rule. Mom got stuck with leftovers. I watch appetizer buffets to see what gets eaten quickly. If something is gone quick, it is a winner. You don’t have to make too much.
Steak And Peach Bites.
Check out the recipe for the Steak And Peach bites. This appetizer was a winner at a neighborhood event. Having a perfectly ripe peach, helped to make this app a hit. Peaches are tough to get right. There is nothing better than the perfect peach. There is also nothing worse than a mealy peach. The sweet chili sauce was also a perfect compliment.
Making an appetizer that is a hit isn’t exactly rocket science. Even lousy cooks (like me) can win the most popular app award by following these 8 keys. If you are really stuck try making the steak and peach bites app. It is a winner.
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