Parents are meeting today!

vgmartinez

Today our parents are coming over to meet for the first time. It's going to be about 2 o'clock so probably won't have a heavy meal but I have no idea what else to make! I feel that maybe finger foods would be easier to talk and mingle over than sitting down to a plated meal...any thoughts or ideas on what I should make? Thanks!

rubyredlucy

Will they be staying for a long time?  If they're there in between meals, then appetizers should be fine. 

This fruit dip is amazing and so easy to make- http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/caramel-toffee-fruit-dip.html .  Delicious with some apple slices. 

Good luck!

banana468

Cheese and crackers is simple and easy.  Shrimp cocktail can be easy and elegant.

akhensley81

Cocktail weiners!!

I love crock pot meals. Chili, french onion soup, whatever. Throw it together, let it cook, then people can pick on it as they want.

mica178

Something interactive so that people can be distracted or small talk as needed?  Build your own tacos or nachos, chili with a variety of toppings, etc.?

akhensley81

Oh if you want something that's no fuss, get one of those big family sized frozen Stouffer's lasagna pans. Just toss it in the oven and go. Mmmmm!

arv266

I like the finger foods - quick and easy and yummy.  Head over to the frozen foods section and grab 3-4 different things.  Remember to keep it easy for yourself!

squirrly

I think finger foods too.  The freezer section usually has some good choices, but cheese & crackers, fruit/chips with dip, shrimp cocktail, etc. can be really fast and easy, too.  I'd probably get a fruit tray, a veg tray, one or two heat & serve options, and some pre-cubed cheese. 

If you have more time, something like spinach & artichoke dip, bruschetta, etc. is great too.

For a quick & yummy (but slightly messy) choice, grab some frozen, raw, shell-on shrimp from the freezer section of the grocery.  Thaw them quickly under running water.  Toss with a little vegetable oil and Old Bay seasoning - about a tablespoon per  pound of shrimp, probably.  (I'd get the 20 - 25s.)  Spread them out into a single layer on a sheet tray and pop them in a 375 oven for about 8 minutes, or JUST until they're pink and opaque.  Don't over cook them.

Serve with a spicy cocktail sauce.  You can either make your own, or buy a nice one at the grocery - if they don't have a spicy one, add some horseradish to a regular one. 

If you don't like cocktail sauce, mix together a bit of mayo, a little sour cream, a tablespoon or two of Ranch dressing, and some more of that Old Bay seasoning.   I usually add a spash of lemon juice too, to lighten it a bit, and sometimes even a bit of milk if it's still too thick.  It should be about ketchup consistency.  You want a fair amount of Old Bay in it for flavor, but not so much that it gets gritty.  Sorry, I mix to taste, so I don't have amounts. 

squirrly

Oh, and I just saw another really yummy looking app:

Bake mini biscuits.  Separate the tops from the bottoms  (I think she used puff pastry, actually).
Slice roma tomatoes.  Put the slices on a cooling rack, and the rack on a baking sheet.  Top with salt & pepper & a little dried oregano.  Bake just until they're about 30% dried out.

On the biscuit bottoms, spoon a tiny bit of jarred spaghetti or pizza sauce.
Sprinkle on some grated parm cheese.
Top with a tomato slice.
Sprinkle on some fresh basil that's been very thinly sliced.
Top with shredded mozz cheese
Replace the top of the biscuit.

Bake about 5 minutes until the cheese melts. 

Yummy pizza bites.  I need an excuse to make this one.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. 

(Our parents are meeting next weekend, RIGHT before the wedding. Ugh.)