USVI-On-Line

We will be at my brother's house for the 4th. My SIL is a terrible cook and a really picky eater, so the food is not the highlight of this yearly party.

She asked me to make an appetizer and a side. I am making Roasted Shrimp and Orzo salad because it is easy and I can eat it by the pound so I won't go hungry.

I need help with an appetizer that, as she puts it, "is not too fancy, you know what I mean, all your food is usually fancy."

Any thoughts? I want it to be something that I will eat but not fancy. UGH!

define appetizer? is it a snacky type thing or like an endive stuffed with cheese and walnuts?

I would just ask her what her favorites are and buy that from the prepared food section at the supermarket. It sounds like she is more worried about someone making her look bad by making something delicious than about the food. I know the type.

Cheers, RickG

Caprese salad? You can't get much easier than that!

RickG wrote:I would just ask her what her favorites are and buy that from the prepared food section at the supermarket. It sounds like she is more worried about someone making her look bad by making something delicious than about the food. I know the type.

Cheers, RickG

I wish that was the case, she is just not a good cook or a creative eater.

MB, I would prefer an appetizer. I don't think she even knows what endive is
Chip suggested taco dip....eeek

Check out the dips and appetizers link on this forum, you may find something. I can tell you that every time I bring Cowboy Caviar, people eat it as a dip and also put it on their plate as a side. It's REALLY easy to make. The recipe is in that dip section.

Also, I agree with liamsaunt, caprese salad...can't go wrong with that one...yummmm!

Good luck!

Take a whole bunch of those little weinies. A bottle of cheap barbecue sauce. Throw all of it a crock pot and take a couple of boxes of toothpicks. Should suit her just fine.

My daughter took Becky's Hummus to a BBQ get together on Sunday with Triscuit crackers and everyone LOVED it. You could do something like that; maybe add a tomato wedge on top to make it purdy.

promoguy wrote:Take a whole bunch of those little weinies. A bottle of cheap barbecue sauce. Throw all of it a crock pot and take a couple of boxes of toothpicks. Should suit her just fine.

You don't know how true that is. That is one of the 2 appetizers she makes every year!

liamsaunt wrote:Caprese salad? You can't get much easier than that!

Agree. I took a huge caprese salad to a 4th picnic last year to a strickly boring (and cheap) food crowd. More than once I was warned not to make "fancy" or "weird" food for this crew. Most of the people couldn't identify fresh mozz cheese or basil (seriously, they asked me what it was) and they loved it.

We get hit with these comments occasionally. We just bring something that we like. We have been pigs for Caprese Salad at home lately.

Cheers, RickG

Take a whole bunch of those little weinies. A bottle of cheap barbecue sauce. Throw all of it a crock pot and take a couple of boxes of toothpicks. Should suit her just fine.

Variation #1: add 1 jar grape jelly to the BBQ sauce. People love this "secret sauce" - we never give up the recipe at a party.

Chet wrote:

Take a whole bunch of those little weinies. A bottle of cheap barbecue sauce. Throw all of it a crock pot and take a couple of boxes of toothpicks. Should suit her just fine.

Variation #1: add 1 jar grape jelly to the BBQ sauce. People love this "secret sauce" - we never give up the recipe at a party.

Chet, my impression is that your suggestion might be a bit over the top for what is being offered and needed. Too gourmetish if you get my drift

promoguy wrote: Too gourmetish if you get my drift