Favorite Party Dishes

We're hosting our housewarming/BBQ this month, and looking for inspiration on dishes to make.

So far, the things I know I will do:

> Chicken and beef kebabs w/ peppers, onions, etc.
> Quinoa, feta and cucumber salad
> Garden salad
> Tiramisu, ordering cupcakes
> Grilled veggies
> Some kind of pasta dish
> Cheese/crackers


I haven't put much thought into this yet ;) ...What are your favorite things to make for parties?

Re: Favorite Party Dishes

Sausage and peppers or sausage potato and onion

bean salad

hot dogs and hamburgers are easy and crowd pleasers

pizza on the BBQ on a stone as an app, can cut it up for everyone

antipasto

veggie crudite

chips/dips

Re: Favorite Party Dishes

For apps, when having a crowd, I often make sweet and sour cocktail meatballs in the slow cooker. I just buy frozen bite-sized Swedish meatballs (I like the Cooked Perfect brand), and throw them in the crock pot with equal parts grape jelly and chili sauce. Everyone loves them and it's easy to do, and you don't have to heat up the oven!

I also like serving a big platter of shrimp cocktail, or cold marinated shrimp (I marinate in olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh garlic, fresh parsley, salt and pepper).

For a bbq - I sometimes marinate London broils (in olive oil, soy sauce, fresh garlic, fresh rosemary, honey, salt and pepper) and then do that on the grill. It can be sliced thin, served on rolls, etc.

Maybe burgers and hot dogs? It's easy, but a good choice for picky eaters. You can also do veggie burgers, turkey burgers, etc.

I often do Paula Dean's corn casserole as a side (it's like a very moist, rich corn bread).

For dessert - You could buy some ice cream treats to serve... always a big hit, esp. with kids. You can buy ice cream sandwiches or cones. I like to buy Carvel mini sundaes (they have little bite sized ones in paper cups) or flying saucers.

I think it's also fun to do a summery cocktail for a bbq, like pitchers of sangria or margaritas, or make mojitos with fresh mint, or even jello shots... I saw a really cute blog that had so many different colorful jello shots! I always want to do them for a bbq but never get around to it!

Favorite Party Dishes

For last weekend's BBQ, I made a huge bowl of gazpacho...big hit! I put out a tray of chopped cukes, red onion, tomato and croutons for everyone to add to taste. Great for a hot day

Re: Favorite Party Dishes

For summer parties I love fresh salsa & guacamole.

Re: Favorite Party Dishes

Pigs in a blanket are my fave!

Cold spinach dip in a bread bowl. Serve with scooped out bread, crackers and raw veggies for dipping.

Cold cut platters are always easy and usually a big hit.

Fruit salad

Favorite Party Dishes

I love things like baked ziti, penne alla vodka, heroes, pasta salad, cheese and crackers, veggies and dips, and pigs in a blanket!