Party Ideas

When preparing to make a seafood dinner party, you’ll want to figure out exactly what you want on the menu.

You can prepare a variety of seafoods for your dinner party including crab cakes, prawns, calamari, lobster, oysters, octopus and more.

You can make seafood appetizers ahead of time for your guests while they’re waiting for the main course.

Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are easy to make right at home, even though they’re a bit delicate when frying them up.

Crab cakes are made by combining lumps of crab with mayo, herbs, and bread crumbs, and then forming it into a patty shape.

Crab cakes are fried to get a crispy outer layer on them on each side, and then they are serve warm with a creamy, savory dipping sauce.

Crab cakes go well with lemon basil aioli, tartar sauce or remoulade.

Prawns

Prawns can be prepared for a seafood dinner party by making tempura, serving them as a prawn cocktail, or frying them.

If you’re frying prawns, you can serve them with garlic butter, or shrimp cocktail sauce for a bit of bite.

Prawns should be served with a lemon wedge for a little fresh lemon juice squeezed onto them right before serving. You can garnish with a bit of parsley as well if desired.

Calamari

Deep fried calamari is a favorite for many! Calamari has a crispy outside, with warm squid on the inside.

You can serve calamari with a ton of different dipping sauces like tzatziki, or lemon garlic aioli, and a lemon wedge to squeeze a little lemon juice over calamari before enjoying.

Crab Legs

Crab legs are a specialty you can serve at your seafood dinner party.

Crab legs are heated, and then served melted butter for dipping crab into.

You can have the butter continue to be melted by using a butter warmer.

Lobster

Lobster tails are cut, and butterflied to expose the meat inside of their hard shell.

Lobsters can be boiled, or simply baked in the oven.

You can prepare savory stuffed lobster tails that your guests will love by combining crab, bread crumbs, herbs, lemon juice, onions, and then stuffing it inside the lobster tail, and baking it in the oven.

Salmon

Salmon is a mild fish you can serve with savory sauces like white wine, or simply squeeze some lemon on top.

You can serve salmon over rice or garlic mashed potatoes for your seafood dinner as an accompaniment.

Oysters

Oysters can be grilled, fried, roasted, or broiled in the oven for a specialty addition to your seafood dinner menu.

You can entice your guests by making garlic oysters, herb and butter oysters, or three cheese oysters for your dinner party.

Octopus

Octopus can be grilled or simmered on the stovetop, and then served with lemon herb olive oil, or romesco sauce.

Octopus has a mild flavor to it, therefore it’s best if you serve it with an accompanying dipping sauce.

Mussels

Mussels needs to be cleaned and debearded before cooking. Mussels have a tender and chewy texture to them.

You can prepare mussels for you guests by cooking mussels with white wine and garlic cream sauce, lemon garlic butter sauce, or tomato sauce.

Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon can be served as an appetizer for your dinner party guests.

You can serve smoked salmon pieces with capers, chopped red onions, dill weed, cream cheese, and crackers as an appetizer, or as party of your seafood dinner party selection.

Crab Puff Pastry Bites

Crab puff pastry bites are filled with vegetables and lumps of crab for this seafood mini puff pastry appetizer.

Chopped onions and red pepper are cooked in a bit of olive oil and minced garlic in a frying pan on medium heat.

Vegetables are removed from the heat source, and mixed together with cream cheese, mayo, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and lumps of crab meat to make the base of the appetizer filling.

Chives, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice are added to the cream cheese filling.

Puff pastry squares are placed inside a muffin tin (2″ square) to make a well for holding the cream cheese filling.

Crab cream cheese filling is spooned onto the puff pastry squares and baked in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown.

Seafood appetizers can be made ahead of time when preparing for a summer BBQ, birthday party, or cocktail party.

You can make alluring appetizers for your guests including seafood mousse, smoked salmon phyllo cups, tzatziki avocado salmon rolls and more!

Seafood Mousse

Seafood mousse is a chilled mousse that is served with accompanying crackers.

Seafood mousse is made by blooming gelatin in a bit of white wine. This will help the mousse solidify, and maintain it’s shape when it’s being served.

In a separate bowl, crab meat, shrimp, diced celery, whipped heavy cream, sour cream, green onions, mayo, dill weed, lemon zest, and paprika are mixed together to until they’re fully combined.

Gelatin and wine mixture is microwaved until it forms a liquid, and then is added to the seafood mousse.

Once gelatin is mixed into the mousse, it’s placed into a prepared mold or bowl and chilled in the fridge for a few hours.

You can prepare seafood mousse the day before, and then unmold it right before serving.

Unmold the seafood mousse, and serve with crackers or baguette slices.

Seafood Spread

Seafood spread can be prepared ahead of time, and served with baguette slices, crackers, or prepared crostini’s if desired.

Seafood spread is made by combining softened cream cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese, crab meat, minced garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and fresh pan fried shrimp pieces.

You can place the prepared spread in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Serve seafood spread with baguette slices, crackers, or crostini’s.

Smoked Salmon Phyllo Cups

Smoked salmon phyllo cups are a creamy appetizer served in a phyllo dough cups.

Smoked salmon cream cheese mixture is made by adding softened cream cheese, sour cream and fresh lemon juice to a food processor and blending together.

Smoked salmon, fresh dill, chives, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper are added to the food processor and blended together until smooth.

Place filling in the fridge overnight to chill.

Phyllo cups only take a few minutes to bake. You can bake them any time the day of your event.

Place smoked salmon cream cheese filling in a piping bag, fitted with the star tip and pipe the filling into the prepared dough cups.

Place smoked salmon phyllo cups in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Tzatziki Avocado Salmon Rolls

Tzatziki avocado salmon rolls are a creamy appetizer you can make ahead of time.

Tzatziki is mixed together with chives and fresh lime juice.

A piece of plastic wrap is placed on a cutting board, and smoked salmon is placed on top of the plastic wrap. Smoked salmon should have overlapping edges and be patted down, so that the roll will turn out later on.

Tzatziki is spread over the salmon, and then slices of avocado are arranged in the center of the salmon. A couple of cucumber strips are added on top of the avocado, along with a few more chives.

Roll up the salmon roll, using the plastic wrap to help guide you. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the edges, and place it in the fridge covered until you’re ready to serve.

Unwrap the salmon roll and slice off bite sized pieces when you’re ready to serve your seafood appetizer.

Smoked Salmon Bites

Smoked salmon bites are creamy toothpick appetizer you can easily make ahead of time.

In a bowl, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon zest, salt, and dill are mixed together.

Cream cheese mixture is spread in the center of a tortilla creating a square shape.

Smoked salmon pieces are placed on top of the cream cheese mixture,

With another tortilla, spread a thin layer of butter. Place the butter side down onto the smoked salmon.

Spread cream cheese mixture on top of the tortilla, and layer again with more smoked salmon.

Butter another tortilla, and place it butter side down onto the smoked salmon.

Press down on the appetizer using a plate or cutting board to flatten out the appetizer.

Cover the appetizer and place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

When you’re ready to serve, use a serrated knife to trim the edges into a square.

Cut the appetizer into strips, and then into squares. Place a toothpick into each smoked salmon appetizer for easy serving. Garnish with a bit of dill weed if desired.

Baby showers are an exciting time for families and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of a new baby.

Baby showers can be stressful and chaotic to plan and prepare.

You can make these cold finger foods ahead of time prior to the baby shower.

When you’re ready to plate them, you can put the finishing touches on them in a couple of minutes right before your guests arrive.

BLT Egg Sliders

BLT egg sliders are adorable cold finger food appetizers that look like miniature burgers.

BLT egg sliders are made by cooking hard boiled eggs and then cutting them in half to create the “buns”.

The bottom half of the “buns” need to have a little bit of the bottom of the egg cut off so it can sit flat on a serving plate.

Add a little salt, pepper, and your favorite sauce (ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, horseradish) to the bottom half of the egg.

Assemble the egg sliders by placing a strip of freshly cooked bacon, a slice of tomato to fit right inside the slider, and a piece of lettuce.

Top the slider with the other half of the egg to make the sliders complete.

Garnish the egg sliders by adding a little more pepper and sesame seeds.

Place a toothpick through the egg slider to make sure it stays together.

You can make these ahead of time, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Bacon and Cheddar Stuffed Celery

Bacon cheddar celery is a creamy, spicy stuffed celery appetizer.

To make the filling, softened cream cheese is whipped with a hand mixer.

Crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, hot sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper are added to the cream cheese, and whipped together with the hand mixer.

Celery sticks are cut into 2-3 pieces for an appetizer serving size.

To assemble the appetizer, spoon the filling into the celery sticks.

Garnish with a few chives, and bacon bits on top.

Cantaloupe Caprese

Cantaloupe caprese is an easy appetizer that packs a ton of flavor!!

Cut cantaloupe into cubes or rounds, and stack a similar piece of mozzarella cheese on top.

Sprinkle with a few cut up strips of fresh basil leaves, and enjoy!

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Strawberry caprese with lemon and basil is a cheesy and fruity cold finger food appetizer.

Cubed mozzarella is marinated with lemon juice, lemon zest, thin strips of fresh basil leaves, olive oil and salt.

Strawberry caprese is made by cutting strawberries in half.

To assemble the appetizer, place a strawberry, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and then repeat again together in a stack.

A toothpick is placed through the stack to create the strawberry caprese appetizer.

Fresh ground pepper is sprinkled on top of the appetizer to finish it off.

Watermelon Skewers

Watermelon skewers are simple to make, but have a ton of flavor!

The mint and watermelon mixed together with the tart feta cheese makes these watermelon skewers irresistible!

To make this simple watermelon appetizer, cut watermelon and feta into similar sized cubes or rectangles.

Stack them on top of one another, and then add a large mint leaf on top.

Place a toothpick through the stack, and garnish with a bit of pepper. Place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on top right before you’re ready to serve them.

Pistachio Grape Cheese Appetizer

Pistachio grape cheese appetizer is served with a toothpick piercing the grapes and cheese. It makes for easy serving and eating with minimal mess.

Each of the grapes are covered in a savory cream cheese (Boursin) layer until they are fully encased.. You could make your own herbed cream cheese if you like. 

The cream cheese grape is pierced with a toothpick, and then rolled in chopped pistachios.

You can make the grape appetizer ahead of time, and place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Wraps

Cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps are juicy and savory.

Slice cantaloupe into thin pieces, and then wrap a piece of prosciutto around the cantaloupe.

Drizzle balsamic reduction over the cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps to garnish.

Cheese Ball

Easy cheese ball with cream cheese is a savory cold finger food appetizer.

The cheese ball is made by simply using a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add a couple of herbs, spices and cheddar cheese to create the base of the cheese ball.

The next part is very messy!!

Shape the cream cheese into a ball shape, and roll into a plate of chopped up walnuts.

Chill for half an hour to make it firm up again. You could also put it in the fridge overnight if you wanted to make this appetizer ahead of time.

Serve your cheese ball by slicing off a bit of it and put it onto a cracker to enjoy!

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Roasted garlic hummus is a homemade chickpea appetizer with hints of garlic, and spicy flavors.

Roasted garlic hummus is made by roasting garlic in the oven.

You can make the roasted garlic by cutting off the top part of garlic to expose the cloves, and then drizzle olive oil on the cloves. Cover the garlic with tin foil, and place in a heat proof dish. This way, the oil drippings will end up in the dish, instead of in your oven.

When the roasted garlic is finished cooking, and has cooled down, squish out the roasted garlic cloves.

To make the roasted garlic hummus, chickpeas, tahini, roasted garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and water are added to a food processor. The mixture is blended until smooth, and then placed in a serving dish.

You can garnish the hummus with parsley leaves, olive oil, and chili powder.

Serve roasted garlic hummus with pita chips, pita bread, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.

Baby showers are an exciting time for families and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of a new baby.

Baby showers can be stressful and chaotic to plan and prepare.

You can make some of these finger foods ahead of time prior to the baby shower, such as watermelon cups, strawberry basil caprese, BLT egg sliders, and bacon cheddar stuffed celery.

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Wraps

Cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps are juicy and savory.

Slice cantaloupe into thin pieces, and then wrap a piece of prosciutto around the cantaloupe.

Drizzle balsamic reduction over the cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps to garnish.

Prosciutto and Brie on Artisan Crackers

Prosciutto and brie on artisan crackers is a crispy appetizer with a sweetened finish to it.

Artisan crackers are arranged on a plate, and topped with a slice of brie cheese on each of them.

Basil leaves are placed on top of the brie, along with strips of prosciutto that are placed in a folded shape.

A couple sprigs of arugula are placed on top of the prosciutto to complete the base of the appetizer.

Drizzle a bit of honey and balsamic reduction all over the artisan crackers and enjoy!

Bacon and Cheddar Stuffed Celery

Bacon cheddar celery is a creamy, spicy stuffed celery appetizer.

To make the filling, softened cream cheese is whipped with a hand mixer.

Crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, hot sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper are added to the cream cheese, and whipped together with the hand mixer.

Celery sticks are cut into 2-3 pieces for an appetizer serving size.

To assemble the appetizer, spoon the filling into the celery sticks.

Garnish with a few chives, and bacon bits on top.

Meat Balls

Meat balls are a bite sized appetizer that are packed full of savory flavor and sweet sauce.

Sweet and Tangy Asian meat balls are covered in teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.

Garnish the meat balls with fresh parsley and sesame seeds.

You can place a toothpick into each meat ball so it isn’t sticky on your fingers.

Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Roasted cherry tomato bruschetta is served warm, made on crispy garlic crostini’s.

The roasted tomatoes are tossed with fresh basil leaves, and then placed on top of the crostini’s that have been rubbed with garlic.

The bruschetta topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, and a drizzle balsamic vinegar.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs look eye catching and are quite filling as an appetizer.

They are made by cooking eggs, and the cutting them in half.

The center portion of the egg is mixed with mayo, diced dill pickles, mustard, pepper and paprika.

The filling is piped back into the white portion of the egg, and garnished with a bit more paprika.

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Strawberry caprese with lemon and basil is a cheesy and fruity toothpick finger food appetizer.

Cubed mozzarella is marinated with lemon juice, lemon zest, thin strips of fresh basil leaves, olive oil and salt.

Strawberry caprese is made by cutting strawberries in half.

To assemble the appetizer, place a strawberry, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and then repeat again together in a stack.

A toothpick is placed through the stack to create the strawberry caprese appetizer.

Fresh ground pepper is sprinkled on top of the appetizer to finish it off.

Focaccia Bread with Oil and Balsamic

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on a plate. It should be a decent size, depending on how many people you’ll be serving for.

Pour balsamic reduction over the olive oil in a zig zag design.

Focaccia bread can be cut into strips, and then in half for a decent serving size.

Dip the bread in the mixture of olive oil and balsamic for a savory finger food appetizer.

Watermelon Cups

Watermelon cups are circular appetizers filled with cucumbers and feta.

The cup portion of the watermelon is made by using a circular cookie cutter (I used a scone cutter since it has a handle on top – made it much easier!).

Cut the watermelon with the circular cookie cutter until you’ve made enough for your appetizer.

Next up, a melon baller is used to scoop the inside of the circle. A melon baller makes the inside a perfect circle, but if you don’t have one you can always use a spoon!

The watermelon cut from the center is diced into small pieces and placed in a bowl.

Cucumber cut into a similar sizing as the watermelon pieces and added to the bowl with the watermelon. Feta cheese is crumbed into the bowl to make the base of the filling.

A little red wine vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper seasons the cucumber and watermelon. Mix them together and then spoon the filling back into the watermelon cups.

Top with a little more crumbled feta and it’s all finished.

Tea Sandwiches

Tea sandwiches are small sandwiches that are usually served with high tea. You could even think about making a high tea themed baby shower.

Tea sandwiches are cut into rectangles or circles to give them a unique shape.

You can make different types of sandwiches for a baby shower such as:

• ham and cheese
• cucumber and cream cheese
• egg salad
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• strawberry, basil and cream cheese

Pinwheels

Pinwheels are made by using a tortilla, and spreading the filling over the tortilla in a thin layer.

The pinwheel is made by rolling up the tortilla, and then slicing it into 1/2-3/4″ rounds.

• Bacon Jalapeno Pinwheels
• Ranch Cream Cheese Rollups
• Vegetable Tortilla Roll Ups

Cheese Ball

Easy cheese ball with cream cheese is a savory finger food appetizer.

The cheese ball is made by simply using a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add a couple of herbs, spices and cheddar cheese to create the base of the cheese ball.

The next part is very messy!!

Shape the cream cheese into a ball shape, and roll into a plate of chopped up walnuts.

Chill for half an hour to make it firm up again. You could also put it in the fridge overnight if you wanted to make this appetizer ahead of time.

Serve your cheese ball by slicing off a bit of it and put it onto a cracker to enjoy!

BLT Egg Sliders

BLT egg sliders are adorable finger food appetizers that look like miniature burgers.

BLT egg sliders are made by cooking hard boiled eggs and then cutting them in half to create the “buns”.

The bottom half of the “buns” need to have a little bit of the bottom of the egg cut off so it can sit flat on a serving plate.

Add a little salt, pepper, and your favorite sauce (ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, horseradish) to the bottom half of the egg.

Assemble the egg sliders by placing a strip of freshly cooked bacon, a slice of tomato to fit right inside the slider, and a piece of lettuce.

Top the slider with the other half of the egg to make the sliders complete.

Garnish the egg sliders by adding a little more pepper and sesame seeds.

Place a toothpick through the egg slider to make sure it stays together.

You can make these ahead of time, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Peppers can be used to make memorable, invigorating appetizers such as bruschetta, pizza poppers, and stuffed peppers.

You can use mini peppers for stuffing peppers so it will be a smaller portion, the perfect size for an appetizer.

Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

Roasted red pepper bruschetta is a chilled pepper bruschetta with freshly made crostini’s.

Red peppers are sliced in half, and their insides along with the seeds are removed. Red peppers are roasted in the oven on both sides until they begin to slightly char.

To steam the peppers, place them in a paper bag until they are cooled. This allows the skins to be easily peeled away.

Roasted red peppers are sliced and placed in a bowl.

Drizzle olive oil over the peppers, and add minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, oregano, and balsamic vinegar to the bowl. Mix together and let marinate in the fridge for 3 hours.

Make your own crostini’s by brushing slices of baguette with olive oil and toasting them in the oven for a couple of minutes.

Place a spoonful of red peppers on the freshly made crostini and enjoy!

Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Crostini

Roasted red pepper and goat cheese crostini are made by roasting red peppers in the oven with a bit of olive oil and Italian seasoning.

Once the red peppers have charred, you can remove them from the oven and slice them up.

Prepare the crostini’s by placing slices of baguette on a baking sheet, and brushing them with olive oil. Toast them in the oven for a couple of minutes.

Top the freshly made crostini’s with a goat cheese and roasted red peppers.

Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Pepper Pizza Poppers

Pepper pizza poppers are a cheesy and warm pepper appetizer with a hint of spicy pepperoni.

Mini peppers are sliced in half, and their insides along with the seeds are removed.

Place the mini peppers with the cut side up on a baking sheet.

Place a spoonful of pizza sauce inside the peppers, and top with grated mozzarella cheese.

Add slices of pepperoni and bake in the oven until the cheese begins to melt.

As soon as the peppers come out of the oven, top them with strips of fresh basil leaves or parsley, and enjoy!

Jalapeno and Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Jalapeno and goat cheese stuffed peppers are a creamy and spicy pepper appetizer.

Mini bell peppers are sliced in half, and then deseeded. Mini peppers are grilled on the BBQ until they’ve charred up and softened.

Jalapeno pepper is diced and the seeds are removed so it’s not too spicy in the appetizer.

Goat cheese is mixed together with diced jalapeno, and then mini peppers are stuffed with the spicy goat cheese for a pepper appetizer with a bit of a bite!

Grilled Peppers with Burrata

Grilled peppers with burrata is a creamy and tart pepper appetizer.

Peppers are sliced and seeds are removed. Peppers are placed on the grill until they have charred and softened up.

Vinaigrette is prepared by mixing together red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper, pepper flakes and olive oil.

Pour vinaigrette over the peppers and let it for a couple of minutes.

Place pieces of burrata inside the peppers, and then drizzle vinaigrette over the burrata.

Top with a few toasted sourdough bread crumbs, and fresh thyme, basil leaves, and rosemary sprigs.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Roasted garlic hummus is a homemade chickpea appetizer with hints of garlic, and spicy flavors.

Roasted garlic hummus is made by roasting garlic in the oven.

You can make the roasted garlic by cutting off the top part of garlic to expose the cloves, and then drizzle olive oil on the cloves. Cover the garlic with tin foil, and place in a heat proof dish. This way, the oil drippings will end up in the dish, instead of in your oven.

When the roasted garlic is finished cooking, and has cooled down, squish out the roasted garlic cloves.

To make the roasted garlic hummus, chickpeas, tahini, roasted garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and water are added to a food processor. The mixture is blended until smooth, and then it’s ready to serve.

Serve with peppers for dipping into roasted garlic hummus.

Baby showers are an exciting time for families and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of a new baby.

Baby showers can be stressful and chaotic to plan and prepare. You can make these foods ahead of time prior to the baby shower.

You can make the food the day before and place it in the fridge.

When you’re ready to plate them, you can put the finishing touches on them in a couple of minutes right before your guests arrive.

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Wraps

Cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps are a filling, and satisfying appetizer you can serve in the summertime.

Slice the cantaloupe into thin pieces, and then wrap a piece of prosciutto around the cantaloupe.

Place them in the fridge until you’re ready to plate them.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar right before you put them out for your guests.

Watermelon Cups

Watermelon cups are circular appetizers filled with cucumbers and feta.

The cup portion of the watermelon is made by using a circular cookie cutter (I used a scone cutter since it has a handle on top – made it much easier!).

Cut the watermelon with the circular cookie cutter until you’ve made enough for your appetizer.

Next up, a melon baller is used to scoop the inside of the circle. A melon baller makes the inside a perfect circle, but if you don’t have one you can always use a spoon!

The watermelon cut from the center is diced into small pieces and placed in a bowl.

Cucumber cut into a similar sizing as the watermelon pieces and added to the bowl with the watermelon. Feta cheese is crumbed into the bowl to make the base of the filling.

A little red wine vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper seasons the cucumber and watermelon. Mix them together and then spoon the filling back into the watermelon cups.

Top with a little more crumbled feta and it’s all finished.

Corn Deviled Eggs

Corn deviled eggs are a vibrantly colored corn appetizer that can be prepared ahead of time.

Corn deviled eggs are made by making boiled eggs, cutting them in half, and removing the cooked egg yolks into the small bowl.

The eggs yolks are mashed and combined with mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and feta cheese.

The egg mixture is piped back into the halved white of the egg.

Garnish with chopped up red onions, corn, chili powder, and fresh cilantro leaves.

Watermelon Skewers

Watermelon skewers are simple to make, but have a ton of flavor!

The mint and watermelon mixed together with the tart feta cheese makes these watermelon skewers irresistible!

To make this simple watermelon appetizer, cut watermelon and feta into similar sized cubes or rectangles.

Stack them on top of one another, and then add a large mint leaf on top.

Place a toothpick through the stack, and garnish with a bit of pepper. Place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on top right before you’re ready to serve them.

Pistachio Grape Cheese Appetizer

Pistachio grape cheese appetizer is served with a toothpick piercing the grapes and cheese. It makes for easy serving and eating with minimal mess.

Each of the grapes are covered in a savory cream cheese (Boursin) layer until they are fully encased.. You could make your own herbed cream cheese if you like. 

The cream cheese grape is pierced with a toothpick, and then rolled in chopped pistachios.

You can make the grape appetizer ahead of time, and place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Strawberry caprese with lemon and basil is a cheesy and fruity toothpick appetizer.

Cubed mozzarella is marinated with lemon juice, lemon zest, thin strips of fresh basil leaves, olive oil and salt.

Strawberry caprese is made by cutting strawberries in half.

To assemble the appetizer, place a strawberry, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and then repeat again together in a stack.

A toothpick is placed through the stack to create the strawberry caprese appetizer.

Fresh ground pepper is sprinkled on top of the appetizer to finish it off. Place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Cantaloupe Caprese

Cantaloupe caprese is an easy appetizer that packs a ton of flavor!!

Cut cantaloupe into cubes or rounds, and stack a similar piece of mozzarella cheese on top.

Sprinkle with a few cut up strips of fresh basil leaves, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to put them out for your guests.

Right before serving them, garnish them with a drizzle balsamic reduction.

Pineapple and Watermelon Salsa

Pineapple and Watermelon salsa is a refreshing salsa you can serve with tortilla chips on a hot summer day for a delicious pineapple appetizer.

Pineapple salsa is filled with pieces of mango, red onions, and cilantro which makes it have a ton of vibrant colors.

You can make it the day before and place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it alongside some tortilla chips.

Pesto Bread Appetizer

Pesto bread appetizer is a cheese bread that you can pull apart, or cut and serve in sections.

Pesto bread appetizer is a twisted bread in the shape of a circle. It’s an appetizer that catches your eye because it looks quite unique, yet it’s easy to make.

Pesto bread made by creating a dough, and then filling it with fresh pesto and parmesan cheese.

After it’s done baking and cooling, place it in an airtight container, and you can serve it the next day.

Place your pesto bread appetizer with a serrated knife beside so it can be cut and served as needed.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Roasted garlic hummus is a homemade chickpea appetizer with hints of garlic, and spicy flavors.

Roasted garlic hummus is made by roasting garlic in the oven.

You can make the roasted garlic by cutting off the top part of garlic to expose the cloves, and then drizzle olive oil on the cloves. Cover the garlic with tin foil, and place in a heat proof dish. This way, the oil drippings will end up in the dish, instead of in your oven.

When the roasted garlic is finished cooking, and has cooled down, squish out the roasted garlic cloves.

To make the roasted garlic hummus, chickpeas, tahini, roasted garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and water are added to a food processor. The mixture is blended until smooth, and then places on a serving dish.

You can garnish the hummus with parsley leaves, olive oil, and chili powder. Serve roasted garlic hummus with pita chips, pita bread, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.

Bridal showers are a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate.

2 pm bridal showers are in the middle of the day, so you’ll want to stick with smaller portions like appetizers or a high tea theme.

Croissants

Croissants by themselves are flakey and buttery pastry, making them a enticing bridal shower menu idea.

You can stuff croissants to make them into a ton of different croissant flavors.

You can fill croissants with your favorite filling including vanilla custard, matcha, chocolate, almond cream, pistachio cream, and raspberry compote.

High Tea

High tea is served with small sandwiches and sweets on a 3 tier platter.

Tea sandwiches are cut into rectangles or circles to give them a unique shape. You can serve them on croissants, buns, or slices of baguette.

You can make different types of sandwiches for a bridal shower such as:

• ham and cheese
• cucumber and cream cheese
• egg salad
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• strawberry, basil and cream cheese
• horseradish and roast beef

Sweets for high tea:

• scones with clotted cream and jam
• sugar cookies
• chocolate dipped shortbread
• orange slice tea cookies
• macarons
• raspberry almond thumbprint cookies
• lemon curd tarts

Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Roasted cherry tomato bruschetta is served warm, made on crispy garlic crostini’s.

The roasted tomatoes are tossed with fresh basil leaves, and then placed on top of the crostini’s that have been rubbed with garlic.

The bruschetta topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, and a drizzle balsamic vinegar.

Baked Brie

Baked brie is made by baking a wheel of brie in the oven with a variety of toppings.

You can add the toppings prior to baking, or after, depending on the flavoring you’re wanting for your appetizer. Baked brie is served with sliced baguette pieces for dipping, crackers, or celery and carrot sticks.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs look eye catching and are quite filling as an appetizer.

They are made by cooking eggs, and the cutting them in half.

The center portion of the egg is mixed with mayo, diced dill pickles, mustard, pepper and paprika.

The filling is piped back into the white portion of the egg, and garnished with a bit more paprika.

Cheese Ball

Make your own easy cheese ball with cream cheese for a delicious savory appetizer.

The cheese ball is made by simply using a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add a couple of herbs, spices and cheddar cheese to create the base of the cheese ball.

The next part is very messy!!

Shape the cream cheese into a ball shape, and roll into a plate of chopped up walnuts.

Chill for half an hour to make it firm up again.

Serve your cheese ball by slicing off a bit of it and put it onto a cracker to enjoy!

Meat Balls

Meat balls are a bite sized appetizer that are packed full of savory flavor and sweet sauce.

Sweet and Tangy Asian meat balls are covered in teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.

Garnish the meat balls with fresh parsley and sesame seeds.

You can place a toothpick into each meat ball so it isn’t sticky on your fingers.

Focaccia Bread with Oil and Balsamic

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on a plate. It should be a decent size, depending on how many people you’ll be serving for.

Pour balsamic reduction over the olive oil in a zig zag design.

Focaccia bread can be cut into strips, and then in half for a decent serving size.

Dip the bread in the mixture of olive oil and balsamic for a savory bread appetizer.

Dessert Charcuterie Board

Dessert charcuterie boards are a little different than your average charcuterie board. They’re filled with only dessert foods!!

You can make your own dessert charcuterie board by making 3-4 desserts and perhaps a dipping sauce to go along with it.

• Chocolate kiss cookies
• Biscotti
• Chocolate covered almonds
• Truffles
• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Rice Krispy squares
• Melted chocolate for dipping
• Apple slices
• Strawberries
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• Lemon loaf
• Banana bread
• Caramel sauce

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and artichoke dip is a creamy, hot dip you can serve with baguette slices, or crackers.

Garlic is cooked in olive oil in a frying pan until it releases its aromas.

Spinach is added to the pan and wilts as it cooks. Once it’s done cooking, remove it from it from the heat source.

Cream cheese is mixed together with sour cream, mayo, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a little hot sauce.

Cooked spinach is added to the cream cheese mixture along with chopped up artichoke hearts.

Spinach and artichoke dip is placed in a baking dish and baked in the oven for about 20 minutes.

The dip is finished baking when the cheese begins to brown and bubble.

Cookies

You can decorate sugar cookies or macarons with names (Mr/Mrs Last Name), words (Mrs, Mr, Love, Wife, Wifey, Husband, Hubby) and designs (ring, hearts, infinity symbol) to make them have a bridal shower theme.

To decorate sugar cookies, you’ll want to use royal icing. It will harden up so the cookies can be stacked and stored with ease until the bridal shower.

To decorate macarons, you can use an edible marker, or “paint” macarons using food coloring. Also, you can dip macarons in melted chocolate, and add a couple of sprinkles to them.

Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate fountains are exciting center piece to have at a bridal shower. It will mesmerize your guests and have them coming back for more!

You can create your own array of foods to dip in your chocolate fountain.

• rice crispy squares
• brownies
• strawberries
• watermelon
• grapes
• marshmallows
• angel food cake
• bananas
• waffles
• pretzels

Bridal showers are a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate the bride.

Winter bridal showers are typically indoors, and you can serve a variety of hot and cold foods to keep your guests satisfied!

Winter bridal shower ideas include high tea, dessert charcuterie, baked brie, themed cookies, spinach dip and more!

High Tea

High tea is served with small sandwiches and sweets on a 3 tier platter.

Tea sandwiches are cut into rectangles or circles to give them a unique shape. You can serve them on croissants, buns, or slices of baguette.

You can make different types of sandwiches for a winter bridal shower such as:

• ham and cheese
• cucumber and cream cheese
• egg salad
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• strawberry, basil and cream cheese
• horseradish and roast beef

Sweets for high tea:

• scones with clotted cream and jam
• sugar cookies
• chocolate dipped shortbread
• orange slice tea cookies
• macarons
• raspberry almond thumbprint cookies
• lemon curd tarts

Dessert Charcuterie Board

Dessert charcuterie boards are a little different than your average charcuterie board. They’re filled with only dessert foods!!

You can make your own dessert charcuterie board by making 3-4 desserts and perhaps a dipping sauce to go along with it.

• Chocolate kiss cookies
• Biscotti
• Chocolate covered almonds
• Truffles
• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Rice Krispy squares
• Melted chocolate for dipping
• Apple slices
• Strawberries
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• Lemon loaf
• Banana bread
• Caramel sauce

Baked Brie

Baked brie is made by baking a wheel of brie in the oven with a variety of toppings.

You can add the toppings prior to baking, or after, depending on the flavoring you’re wanting for your appetizer. Baked brie is served with sliced baguette pieces for dipping, crackers, or celery and carrot sticks.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs look eye catching and are quite filling as an appetizer.

They are made by cooking eggs, and the cutting them in half.

The center portion of the egg is mixed with mayo, diced dill pickles, mustard, pepper and paprika.

The filling is piped back into the white portion of the egg, and garnished with a bit more paprika.

Focaccia Bread with Oil and Balsamic

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on a plate. It should be a decent size, depending on how many people you’ll be serving for.

Pour balsamic reduction over the olive oil in a zig zag design.

Focaccia bread can be cut into strips, and then in half for a decent serving size.

Dip the bread in the mixture of olive oil and balsamic for a savory bread appetizer.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and artichoke dip is a creamy, hot dip you can serve with baguette slices, or crackers.

Garlic is cooked in olive oil in a frying pan until it releases its aromas.

Spinach is added to the pan and wilts as it cooks. Once it’s done cooking, remove it from it from the heat source.

Cream cheese is mixed together with sour cream, mayo, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a little hot sauce.

Cooked spinach is added to the cream cheese mixture along with chopped up artichoke hearts.

Spinach and artichoke dip is placed in a baking dish and baked in the oven for about 20 minutes.

The dip is finished baking when the cheese begins to brown and bubble.

Prosciutto and Brie on Artisan Crackers

Prosciutto and brie on artisan crackers is a crispy appetizer with a sweetened finish to it.

Artisan crackers are arranged on a plate, and topped with a slice of brie cheese on each of them.

Basil leaves are placed on top of the brie, along with strips of prosciutto that are placed in a folded shape.

A couple sprigs of arugula are placed on top of the prosciutto to complete the base of the appetizer.

Drizzle a bit of honey and balsamic reduction all over the artisan crackers and enjoy!

Meat Balls

Meat balls are a bite sized appetizer that are packed full of savory flavor and sweet sauce.

Sweet and Tangy Asian meat balls are covered in teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.

Garnish the meat balls with fresh parsley and sesame seeds.

You can place a toothpick into each meat ball so it isn’t sticky on your fingers.

Pinwheels

Pinwheels are made by using a tortilla, and spreading the filling over the tortilla in a thin layer.

The pinwheel is made by rolling up the tortilla, and then slicing it into 1/2-3/4″ rounds.

• Bacon Jalapeno Pinwheels
• Ranch Cream Cheese Rollups
• Vegetable Tortilla Roll Ups

Cheese Ball

Make your own easy cheese ball with cream cheese for a delicious savory appetizer.

The cheese ball is made by simply using a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add a couple of herbs, spices and cheddar cheese to create the base of the cheese ball.

The next part is very messy!!

Shape the cream cheese into a ball shape, and roll into a plate of chopped up walnuts.

Chill for half an hour to make it firm up again.

Serve your cheese ball by slicing off a bit of it and put it onto a cracker to enjoy!

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Wraps

Cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps are juicy and savory.

Slice cantaloupe into thin pieces, and then wrap a piece of prosciutto around the cantaloupe.

Drizzle balsamic reduction over the cantaloupe and prosciutto wraps to garnish.

Cookies

You can decorate sugar cookies or macarons with names (Mr/Mrs Last Name), words (Mrs, Mr, Love, Wife, Wifey, Husband, Hubby) and designs (ring, hearts, infinity symbol) to make them have a bridal shower theme.

To decorate sugar cookies, you’ll want to use royal icing. It will harden up so the cookies can be stacked and stored with ease until the bridal shower.

To decorate macarons, you can use an edible marker, or “paint” macarons using food coloring. Also, you can dip macarons in melted chocolate, and add a couple of sprinkles to them.

Baby showers are an exciting time for families and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of a new baby.

High tea includes sandwiches, cookies, scones, bars, and sweets to indulge in.

You can pick and choose your own menu and food ideas that will suit your guests and give them a variety to choose from.

You can make themed baby shower cookies like sugar cookies and macarons to include in your high tea (see below).

Sandwiches

Tea sandwiches are small sandwiches that are cut into rectangles or circles to give them a unique shape.

You can also serve them in croissants or buns, or open faced on a baguette slice.

You can make different types of sandwiches for a high tea baby shower such as:

• ham and cheese
• cucumber and cream cheese
• egg salad
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• strawberry, basil and cream cheese
• cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers
• horseradish and roast beef

Scones

Tea scones, clotted cream, and jam are one of the most classic treats served with high tea.

Tea scones are small, only about 1-2″. High tea scones can be savory or sweet.

• scones with clotted cream and jam
• cheese scones
• vanilla scones
• pumpkin scones
• lavender scones

Cookies

High tea cookies are small, with a hint of citrus, herb, spiced or buttery flavors.

High tea cookies are light, crumbly, and melt in your mouth when you eat them alongside your hot tea.

Typically high tea cookies are small enough just to have a taste.

You can make high tea baby shower cookies personalized by making sugar cookies with royal icing.

You can decorate sugar cookies or macarons with names, colors, words (Oh Baby!, Sweet Baby, Boy, Girl, Baby, Welcome Baby) and designs (rattle, soother, baby clothing, bottles, bibs, footprints) to make them have a baby shower theme.

• macadamia nut white chocolate chip cookies
• lemon shortbread
• plain shortbread
• lavender shortbread
• earl grey shortbread
• chai shortbread
• cranberry orange almond shortbread
• chocolate dipped shortbread
• orange slice tea cookies
• macarons
• raspberry almond thumbprint cookies
• sugar cookies
• madeleines
• oatmeal raisin cookies
• peanut butter cookies
• matcha cookies

Sweets

Sweets for high tea include loaves, tarts, cakes, and mini pastries.

You can make miniature versions of croissants, and Danishes, or you can cut cakes and loaves into small bite sized pieces for high tea.

• lemon loaf
• carrot cake
• pumpkin loaf
• brownies
• butter tarts
• raspberry tarts
• strawberry tarts
• lemon curd tarts
• beignets
• madeleines
• raspberry jelly filled cookies
• mini vanilla custard stuffed croissants
• mini Danishes
• mini croissants
• mini pain au chocolat
• gingersnaps
• mini eclairs
• peanut butter cups
• cheesecake
• chocolate cake
• vanilla cake
• chocolate covered strawberries

Bars

Bars are a layered dessert that are cut into rectangles. Bars should be cut quite small for high tea.

• lemon bars
• Nanaimo bars
• rhubarb bars

How to Serve High Tea

Serve your high tea on a 3 tier platter.

Your high tea sweets will go on the very top tier of the platter.

Scones and breads will go on the second tier.

Finally, tea time sandwiches will go on the bottom tier.

Serve your tea in an elegant tea pot with specialty tea cups if you have them. Typically tea cups will have a cup and saucer for the tea cup to sit on. Don’t forget to put out cream and sugar for your guests tea.

For your guests, have some fine china plates for them to eat off of.

If you don’t have any, try a small side plate to catch any crumbs for your guest.

You’ll want to select at least 3-4 different types of sweets for your high tea, and at least 2-3 types of sandwiches.