Finger Foods for Parties

Finger foods are basically small snack bites, that are served as appetizers or starters. Finger foods for parties should be bite-sized, and must not leave a mess on the finger of your guest. They should be easy to prepare and serve; one does not want to spend all the time cooking, and fixing them while the party is on. Try to have a mix of hot and cold finger foods. They should be light on the stomach, if it is being followed by a dinner; whereas if it is a cocktail party, then it is best to have them in abundance, served at short intervals, and a combination of light and heavy snacks. Finger foods can include baked goods, meat stuffing and vegetarian goodies, but they all should be bite-sized.

Finger foods based on themes work well. If one has to plan them for kids' parties, bear in mind it is best to avoid foods that are oily or require sauce (kids will definitely rub hands on your upholstery), and it should be of nutritional value. Small hotdogs, smiley chips, a bowl full of baked potato chips, celery stalks filled with peanut butter, small pizza rolls or cut a few fruit sticks with some raisin topped yogurt dip.

Easy Finger Food Recipes

Crab Wonton Cups

Ingredients for Crab Fillings

• crab meat, 2/3 cup
• grated Parmesan cheese, 4 ounces
• cream cheese, 3 ounces - cut into pieces,
• chopped green onions, 2
• butter, ½ tbsp
• mayonnaise, 1/3 cup
• paprika, ½ tsp
• lemon juice, 1 tsp

Ingredients for Wontons

• wonton wrappers, 12
• melted butter, ½ tbsp

Directions

To prepare the crab filling, saute onions with butter in a fry pan. Add the Parmesan, cream cheese and mayonnaise, and stir until melted. Reduce the heat, and add lemon juice and salt to taste. Gently stir in the crab meat, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Set aside. Prepare wontons by gently brushing each one with butter, and place it in mini muffin tins. Add the crab filling to wonton wrappers, and bake for 12-15 minutes, in a preheated oven to 350 degrees F, until golden and crispy. It can be served hot and cold.

Blue Cheese Bites

Ingredients

• crumbled blue cheese, 4 ounces
• margarine, ½ cup
• biscuits, 1 package

Directions

In a saucepan, melt margarine and cheese, until it has melted. Cut each biscuit in half, and roll it in the melted cheese mix, turning it over a couple of times, to coat it completely. Place it on a baking sheet, and bake at 325 degrees F, until well browned.

Foil Wrapped Chicken

Ingredients

• boneless chicken, 1 pound
• salad oil, 1 tbsp
• soy sauce, 1 tbsp
• white wine, 1 tbsp
• cornstarch, 1 tbsp
• sugar, 1 tsp
• minced fresh ginger, 1 tsp
• green ginger, 1 - finely chopped
• salt and pepper as per taste
• cooking oil
• aluminum foil - cut into 6" squares

Directions

Except chicken, combine all ingredients together and make the marinade. Cut chicken into squares of 1" pieces. Add the chicken pieces into the marinade, coat it well, and refrigerate for about 2 hours. Place one piece of chicken into a square of the aluminum foil, and fold to seal all sides. In a skillet, heat cooking oil, and drop chicken foil packages into it and cook for 2 minutes, turning it over at least once. Drain excess oil on paper towels.

Finger foods can be a lot of fun to make. While deciding on the appetizer menu for a party, one can add a whole lot of varieties and colors. But, make sure you have lots of paper towels around for your guests. Well, then, go on, try out some of the above lip-smacking, easy-to-make finger foods and serve some great party food to your guests!