Hooray! Your friend is having a boy!
And you've offered to throw her a baby shower to celebrate.
You want to make some tasty finger foods so that people can just grab bites while talking ...
Or put together a plate of easy-to-eat foods while standing.
And due to a crazy schedule recently, you'd prefer easy-to-make items, that won't leave your kitchen crazy hot from the oven.
Now sometimes I really enjoy cooking all day for a party, but last week I was traveling for work all week, arrived home Saturday night, immediately went to a party that evening from the airport, and then was hosting a baby shower the very next day.
So I needed a menu where I could quickly run to the store in the morning, come home and assemble, and still have time to get ready and set up for the party -- with my brain and sense of humor still in tact!
Fortunately everything worked out perfectly, so I thought I'd share with you some of what I served. That way if you're ever faced with the same situation, or just want to pull a party together super-fast, you'll have this handy list to refer to!
So the next time you're throwing a baby shower, or any party for that matter, and have limited prep time, don't panic. You've got the perfect recipes for a easy baby shower that both the guests and the mom-to-be will enjoy.
Until our next meal,
Rebecca
Baby Shower Appetizers
Caprese Salad
Caprese Skewers
- Grape Tomatoes
- Basil
- Small Fresh Mozzarella Balls
- Toothpicks
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
Directions:
- Tear the basil into small pieces, and then skewer each toothpick with one tomato, a piece of basil, and a piece of mozzarella.
- Arrange on a plate and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
- Reduce some balsamic vinegar down (reduction) buy boiling it over low heat, and then drizzle it over the plate.
Chicken Salad and Crab Salad Canapes
Canapes
- Large Cucumber (Hot House or English Works Well)
- Small Toast Squares
- Chicken Salad or Crab Salad (Buy Pre-made or Make from Scratch)
If you use my curry chicken salad recipe, and crab salad recipe, I recommend putting the chicken on the toast, and the crab on the cucumbers. And if you buy pre-made from the store, just taste a sample of each before committing!
Directions:
- Cut the cucumber into 1/4-inch rounds.
- Arrange on serving platter along with the small toast.
- Spoon a little of the salad onto each one.
Tip: The cucumber canapes can be made up to 2 hours ahead of time, but prepare the toasts right before guests arrive so that they don't get soggy.
Raspberry Brie Bites
I love a good brie en croute, but that adds a little extra prep time plus the use of the oven. This alternative is delicious either alone or on a cracker, and can be prepared 2-3 hours in advance.
- Small Brie Round
- Raspberry Preserves
- Sliced Almonds
Bite-Size Appetizers
Directions:
- Cut the brie like you would a pie, into small pie-shaped slivers.
- Lay them on their sides on a serving platter.
- Dot each piece with some of the preserves, and then stick two slices of almonds on top.
Salami and Olive Bites
This one is super easy and can be made 3 hours in advance.
Just buy a really nice salami log, preferably one with a little kick if you don't mind the spice. Slice it into 1/2-inch rounds, and then slice each round into fourths. Skewer a green olive stuffed with pimento on a toothpick, and push into the top of each piece of salami. Arrange on a plate and that's it! (Sounds simple, but adds a really nice touch to the menu!)
Other Easy Ideas
Buy a few packages of pre-made sushi, and arrange on a platter with some ginger, wasabi and soy sauce. If you're planning for a baby shower, make sure you buy sushi that's been cooked so the mom-to-be can enjoy it too.
For dessert, go to your bakery and pick out an assortment of single-serve desserts. Arrange them all on a platter with some fresh fruit garnish, and set out with some knives. It's a fun way to sample a lot of different desserts, every guest will find something they enjoy, and it makes for a beautiful display.
Dessert Platter
And if you do feel like making a few more items, check out these other WhatToCookWhen.com appetizers that can be made far in advance...
Talk about the perfect appetizer. Not only are these antipasto rounds delicious, cheap, and easy, they look downright fancy!
This hummus is easy to whip up, and goes great with crackers, pita, or fresh vegetables like green peppers and celery. You'll never buy pre-made hummus again.
The complex flavors of the dip, and crunch of the tasty breadcrumbs, make this appetizer a winner.
Have an appetizer recipe you'd like to share? Or need a recipe for an upcoming party? Let me know below!
