Appetizer pros and cons

[Mbart]

With Easter coming up, I'm reminded of sort-of an ungoing feud between my Mom and me...I love appetizers, and look forward to them sometimes even moreso than the following meals, but my Mother considers them "appetizer busters." You know, everyone grazes on all of the appetizers and then doesn't really appreciate the meal, as you would if you were a little hungrier. I was wondering what camp you all fall into...have you had meals go uneaten by those too full from appetizers? Or are you appetizer lovers?

[JillC]

I'm definitely an appetizer lover and could make a meal out of grazing--so I can see both your and your Mom's points of view!
Jill

[Vanessa]

I think appetizers are a good idea if you are not serving dinner right away. It gives time for people to arrive have a drink and nible. On the other hand too many appetizers will spoil people's appetites so I would say go half way. Do appetizers but just for a little time so it gives you time to finish in the kitchen greet people then they can proceed to eat.

[makedah]

I've only had one dinner party and I found that appetizers were great. Good for allowing people to mill around, mingle, chat while you get the last touches together (opening the wine people brought, heating up any dishes other people brought, etc.) and while other guests arrrive. People still ate their meals. If you like appetizers, you could make only a few so that people couldn't gorge on them.

[memartha]

Gotta have appetizers. If I arrive somewhere and have to wait for a couple of hours with out something to munch on, watch out! Like everyone said, just don't offer too many or too much, for Mom's sake.

[SusanL]

MBart- I agree with you both, but for Easter, a light appetizer would be best. You don't want to take away from the meal that has taken her so long to prepare, that is if she is like my mom! We always eat a little something before we go to prevent any problems- please don't tell her, it is her holiday http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[lindrusso]

Mbart - I LOVE appetizers and I also sometimes prefer them to a meal! However, I have had them spoil appetites so that the meal was less appreciated than it could have been - which is frustrating and disappointing. I try to serve the appetizers almost 2 hours before I think dinner will be ready to avoid this problem. And I also try to put out only "just enough" too keep people from overdoing it!

[KellyD]

I'm with Lindrusso - I LOVE appetizers and fall into the camp that would rather eat them than a meal. But I know I've had several parties recently where in addition to the appetizers I planned and provided, friends brought other munchies as well. I don't know about you guys, but we will keep snacking until the meal is served - or we run out! So by the time we eat - even if I serve later - no one's hungry! Last Saturday we had a dinner party (served Gail's Canoehouse Tuna - yummm!), and I didn't have any appetizers. We had drinks and served dinner within an hour - so I don't think anyone was hungry - and everyone licked their plate and then had room for dessert. I think I'm on to a new strategy - but I'll still have parties where all I serve are appetizers!!

[Mousie29]

I think appetizers help make the get-together more fun and festive. For adults and kids. It's funny to see the toddlers vying for some.

[MrsReber]

Appetizers are a must! I would be mortified if guests showed up hungry at my house and dinner wasn't going to be ready right away. But that's just my own opinion. I'm mostly Italian. We live to feed other people.

[lorilei]

Originally posted by MrsReber:
I'm mostly Italian. We live to feed other people.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif MrsReber, you're a woman after my own heart (and I'm not even Italian)!

I find that it takes a bit of planning to find the "balance" between appetizers and dinner. I DO serve appetizers, but I try to make sure that the portions are small and that they're not so filling that they'll overwhelm dinner.

[Mbart]

Mrs.Reber, your quote made me laugh and laugh...I wish I was Italian so I could use that one!

[Wendy w]

MrsReber, I always tell people that I was Italian in my last life and I have a couple of friends that say that I am happiest feeding people http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif .

[CheerLiz]

Memartha, I love your screen name. I have a sister named Marimartha, so it reminds me of her!

[SusanMac]

I'm also a huge appetizer fan. Definitely up for just a meal of appetizers. In fact...that's so popular there's a name for it...Tapas!

But, aside from my ability to eat cheese nonstop for hours on end, I think it's a good hostess kind of thing to do. I agree with whoever said she'd be mortified if guests showed up and she didn't have appetizers to snack on.

I've never had guests not complete a meal due to appetizers. I guess you just have to make sure you don't go overboard.

In fact, I'd prefer serving appetizers and the main meal, then pass on dessert. (there's definitely no room for that at the end, even though I'm a huge fan of baking)

Would Martha Stewart find that horrifying??

[MrsReber]

It's a curse- I remember how my grandmother would never sit down during a meal when the family was gathered. Her time was spent making sure everyone had enough food on their plates! Now my mother has taken on that quality. It's just a matter of time! My mom takes my train to and from work three days a week. When we are going home, if I say that I'm hungry, she always pulls out crackers, fruit, sunflower seeds or yogurt!

Must feed everyone... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif