Appetizers for a Crowd

The number of appetizers, served as a party foods, are totally dependent on the number of people invited. It is also dependent on the time when you are planning to serve these appetizers. If you have decided to serve the dinner one or more hour after the appetizers, you must increase the number of appetizers per person. If your party is a more of a casual type, more number of appetizers per person must be considered, because in such parties, appetizers are the center of attraction. On an average, you must calculate four appetizer pieces per person. Party appetizer recipes also include beverages and two or more types of drinks can be served. On an average approximately 500 ml of a drink is consumed by a single person in the party. Here are some of the mouth-watering appetizers for a crowd.

Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a fine Italian recipe that is can be easily prepared, when you are busy with the other party arrangements.

Ingredients

• 12 slices of small Italian or French bread, toasted
• 3 large tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• ¼ teaspoons salt

Procedure
Add tomatoes, oil, salt and basil in a bowl and marinate it for four hours. It is advisable not to refrigerate this mixture, because tomatoes may lose their original taste. With the help of a slotted spoon, layer the bread pieces with this mixture and serve them immediately.

Chili Cheese Dip
This is a very delightful appetizer for a crowd and is served with tortilla chips.

Ingredients

• 1 can of chili (with no beans)
• 2 packs of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of chopped green onions

Procedure
Combine cheese, cream cheese and chili in a bowl and keep it in a microwave oven. Keep the mixture in the oven for about ten minutes. When the mixture becomes bubbly, remove it from the oven and add the green onion and stir the mixture to mix it properly. Serve immediately.

Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 avocados, peeled, pitted and mashed
• 2 small tomatoes (diced)
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup onion diced

Procedure
Take a medium-sized bowl and combine avocados, lime juice and salt together and mix this mixture with the help of a fork. Add tomatoes, onion, cilantro and garlic to this mixture. Keep it in the refrigerator if desired. Otherwise serve immediately with chips. Veggie chips dipped in this rich and creamy guacamole can be a perfect appetizer for a crowd.

Party Cheese Balls

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped pimento
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped green pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Procedure
Mix the cream cheese and cheddar cheese in a bowl. Add green pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and lemon juice to the cheese mixture. Shape this mixture into a ball with your hands. Roll this ball on chopped pecans and refrigerate overnight.

Choco Chip Cheese Balls

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Procedure
Take a medium-sized bowl and beat butter and cream cheese until it becomes smooth. Add sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract along with chocolate chips. Refrigerate the mixture for about two hours. Make a ball out of this chilled cheese and cover it with plastic and again refrigerate it for one hour. Before serving the cheese ball, roll it in chopped pecans.

These are some easy-to-make and tasty appetizers for a crowd. Appetizer recipes must be such that they require less preparation time, so that you will get more time to do other preparation for your party.