Gray winter months call for cozy celebrations where you serve up all your favorite comfort foods.
In this issue, I’ll share ideas for ways to convert your favorite comfort foods into easy-to-eat appetizers just in time for your Super Bowl party.
If you have a favorite comfort food recipe, I’d love to hear back from you. Hit reply and let me know if it’s OK to share.
Enjoy! And, Happy New Year from the entire Aurice Guyton Events team.
Glitz and glamour are great and the champagne, fancy decor, and hors d’oeuvres set a luxurious tone, but some events call for comfort food.
Of course, it isn’t easy to stand around nibbling on mac ‘n cheese, tomato soup, or mashed potatoes, unless you use these ideas for turning your favorite comfort foods into easy-to-eat finger foods.
Macaroni and cheese
First up, is a fan favorite – macaroni and cheese. To turn this gooey cheesy pasta dish into finger food, try lining mini muffin tins with a square of puff pastry. Then fill with macaroni and cheese and bake until the pastry is golden brown.
Or, try this recipe from Take Two Tapas to make delicious fried mac ‘n cheese bites. (pictured above)
Chili
Loaded mashed potato bites
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be served as a side dish or used as a base for other dishes, like shepherds pie or potato skins.
Imagine, though, eating mashed potatoes with your fingers! These delicious nibbles feature creamy mashed potatoes mixed with chives, cheese, and bacon that are rolled in a light coating of bread crumbs. Serve plain or with a dollop of sour cream.
Taste and Tell has an easy-to-follow recipe here.
Meatballs
Meatballs are another crowd-pleasing comfort food that can be served as a main course or as an appetizer. They can be made with beef, pork, or turkey, and paired with a variety of sauces, like marinara, BBQ, or teriyaki.
Meal on a skewer
Imagine serving this new twist on a meat and veg skewer. Alternate meatballs, loaded mashed potato bites, and cooked carrot chunks on your skewer and serve on a platter for a pretty, delicious, and comforting meal.
Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich? These can be served as a standalone item or paired with a ramekin of soup for a heartier snack or a complete meal. No need for a spoon when you dip the grilled cheese fingers in the warm savory soup.
The Kittchen has a great recipe for giant grilled cheese appetizers. Give this a try!
Small sweet peppers are the perfect finger food, especially when stuffed with cheese, rice, ground beef or your other favorite pepper stuffing.
The sweet small peppers don’t require a fork or knife and can be eaten in two to three bites. Not only are they delicious and good for you, they look pretty on the table with your other finger foods.
If you don’t have a recipe, try this fabulous recipe from Clean Food Crush for taco stuffed mini peppers.
Round out your menu with these favorites
Some comfort foods are already perfect finger foods and they don’t require any type of transformation to turn them into a great appetizer for your next event.
When your event is about togetherness go for comfort food over glitz, glam, and fancy hors d’oeuvres
Glitz and glamour are great and the champagne, fancy decor, and hors d’oeuvres set a luxurious tone, but some events call for comfort food.
Of course, it isn’t easy to stand around nibbling on mac ‘n cheese, tomato soup, or mashed potatoes, unless you use these ideas for turning your favorite comfort foods into easy-to-eat finger foods.
Macaroni and cheese
First up, is a fan favorite – macaroni and cheese. To turn this gooey cheesy pasta dish into finger food, try lining mini muffin tins with a square of puff pastry. Then fill with macaroni and cheese and bake until the pastry is golden brown.
Or, try this recipe from Take Two Tapas to make delicious fried mac ‘n cheese bites. (pictured above)
Chili
Chili is another fan favorite, especially since it is so easy to make chili vegetarian or vegan and it’s just as delicious. But, standing around with a bowl of chili and eating it without dripping it down your shirt, isn’t easy.
Instead, make mini cornbread muffins and use a melon ball scoop or spoon to remove just enough cornbread to hold a dollop of chili and sprinkle of grated cheese or cheese substitute.
Tip for success: Let your muffins cool so they are firm enough to hold the chili and don’t scoop out too much cornbread or your muffin will collapse.
Loaded mashed potato bites & meatballs
Loaded mashed potato bites
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be served as a side dish or used as a base for other dishes, like shepherds pie or potato skins.
Imagine, though, eating mashed potatoes with your fingers! These delicious nibbles feature creamy mashed potatoes mixed with chives, cheese, and bacon that are rolled in a light coating of bread crumbs. Serve plain or with a dollop of sour cream.
Taste and Tell has an easy-to-follow recipe here.
Meatballs
Meatballs are another crowd-pleasing comfort food that can be served as a main course or as an appetizer. They can be made with beef, pork, or turkey, and paired with a variety of sauces, like marinara, BBQ, or teriyaki.
Meal on a skewer
Imagine serving this new twist on a meat and veg skewer. Alternate meatballs, loaded mashed potato bites, and cooked carrot chunks on your skewer and serve on a platter for a pretty, delicious, and comforting meal.
Roasted tomato soup with grilled cheese dippers
Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich? These can be served as a standalone item or paired with a ramekin of soup for a heartier snack or a complete meal. No need for a spoon when you dip the grilled cheese fingers in the warm savory soup.
The Kittchen has a great recipe for giant grilled cheese appetizers. Give this a try!
Small sweet peppers are the perfect finger food
Small sweet peppers are the perfect finger food, especially when stuffed with cheese, rice, ground beef or your other favorite pepper stuffing.
The sweet small peppers don’t require a fork or knife and can be eaten in two to three bites. Not only are they delicious and good for you, they look pretty on the table with your other finger foods.
If you don’t have a recipe, try this fabulous recipe from Clean Food Crush for taco stuffed mini peppers.
Round out your menu with these favorites
Some comfort foods are already perfect finger foods and they don’t require any type of transformation to turn them into a great appetizer for your next event.
- Pizza: Pizza is always a hit, whether it’s a simple cheese pizza or a more elaborate creation with a variety of toppings. Make two to three pies and serve as a main course or as a snack.
- Sliders: Sliders are small, bite-sized sandwiches that are perfect for a corporate event. They can be made with a variety of meats, like beef, chicken, or pork, and paired with a variety of toppings, like cheese, pickles, and onions.
- Chicken fingers: Chicken fingers are a kid-friendly comfort food that adults can enjoy too. They can be served with a variety of dipping sauces,
- Pulled pork sandwiches: Pulled pork sandwiches are a delicious and hearty comfort food that can be served as a main course or as a snack. They can be made with a variety of sauces, such as BBQ, honey mustard, or vinegar.
- Chili dogs: Chili dogs are a classic comfort food that combines two favorites – hot dogs and chili. They can be served with a variety of toppings, such as cheese, onions, and mustard, and are perfect for a casual corporate event.
