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Choose appetizers that can be made ahead of time and still maintain their flavor, such as dips or mini-quiches. Consider the formality of the event and avoid foods that may become soggy or dry out. Baked goods can be prepared ahead of time and baked on the day.
The best choice starters are easy to make a few days before a party, keep their flavor or enhance the flavor, and blend in with the rest of the food you’re serving. Any appetizer that can sit in the refrigerator for a day or two before eating is an ideal starter for the trick. The drops will develop flavor as they cool, for example. Some appetizers, such as mini-quiches or other baked goods, can be made ahead of time and then cooked on the day. The anticipatory starter should require much less work on the day of the event than in advance.
Consider the food you’re serving at the party when deciding on the best appetizer to prepare. If you’re serving a formal meal, a casual casual entree like salsa and chips may not work well. Smaller sized sandwiches or crudités may work best. You can make the sandwiches ahead of time if you’re not using ingredients that would make the bread soggy. Raw vegetables can be cut a day ahead and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
Chips and salsa are an ideal appetizer for a casual party, such as a football watching party or a child’s birthday. You can make the dip a day or two ahead, let it sit in the refrigerator so the flavors meld together, and serve cold, or bake or otherwise reheat the dip on the day of your party. Preferably, reheating the dish on the day of the event should require little time and effort on your part. You want to be able to put it in the oven or on the stove while you do other things to get ready for the party.
Avoid making any appetizers that will become soggy, dry out, or lose flavor if made too far in advance. If you want to serve cheese as an appetizer, consider molding a soft cheese like goat or cream cheese into a log and topping it with nuts or dried fruit. Hard cheeses like cheddar dry out if you cut them too soon. Bread and other baked goods made too soon can also become stale and dry.
If you plan to serve baked goods as appetizers, prepare the dough ahead of time and then bake it on the day. You can measure out the cookie dough a few days ahead and freeze it on baking sheets. Add a few minutes to the cooking time on the day of the party.
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