Time to Par-tay: Your Favorite Hors d ' oeuvres and White Bean & Artichoke Spread

I think we've talked before about my love for finger foods. You can call them hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, tapas...but at the end of the day, they're all the same. Whenever I go to weddings or parties where dinner is served, I can usually be counted on to fill up during cocktail hour and ignore the main course.

So when I was recently tasked with developing the menu for my brother's upcoming graduation party, you can imagine that I was a hard sell for compiling a menu of heavy hors d'oeuvres rather than a formal lunch or dinner. As much as I like to cook for myself, my friends, my family, sometimes preparing meals or treats - even baked goods to bring into the office - can be intimidating. I tend to drive myself insane making lists and volleying back and forth between "well should I make this or should I make that?"

The more people you're serving, the less chance you have of pleasing everyone, which is of course, what I aim to do. Without sounding all perfectionist here, I think entertaining for moderately large groups is damn hard, unless you're cooking a meal like Thanksgiving dinner, where everyone knows pretty much exactly what to expect.

 

So, this weekend, I'm playing caterer for a group of graduates and family friends. To keep my menu-planning from going into overdrive, I need your help.  When you're at a cocktail party and there are fancy, vested waiters weaving in and out of the crowd wielding trays stacked with tuna tartare and canapes, what do you most look forward to seeing on those trays?

Me? I consider any party, whether it's a formal wedding or a backyard barbecue, a hit if they have good dips and spreads. From baked brie en croute dip to fat-free ranch dip for vegetables, I like them all.

This weekend I created a spread that I'll certainly be making again, a light yet creamy white-bean based spread great for the warm weather, that paired exceptionally well with a glass of cheap white wine. I'm classy like that. 

White Bean & Artichoke Spread 

What you need:

1 15 oz. can of cannellini beans (any white beans will work here), rinsed & drained, reserve liquid for later use
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dried parsley (you can also use 2 Tbsp. of fresh parsley but I didn't have any on hand)
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/8 teaspoon minced garlic (you can use more, but I like a subtler flavor)
6 oz artichokes hearts, rinsed & drained, chopped finely
Salt and pepper, to taste

What you do:

Combine all ingredients (except for artichokes) in a food processor and pulse until consistency is smooth. Add liquid from cannellini beans to thicken until dip reaches desired consistency. Add artichokes and blend until just combined. Serve with pita chips or lavash crackers.

Now, it's your turn. Tell me about your favorite dips, appetizers and party foods. Sliders? Hummus? Crudite? Any and all ideas are appreciated (and you might even read about your favorites here next week!)

Comments

[Kitchen Goddess]

That dip sounds fabulous Maris. My favourites have to be a well made hummus or guacamole, I made a beetroot guacamole a while back and that was delightful.

[Sophie]

Well,...Maris: this dip looks sounds so good! Looks appetizing!

When I am at a party from friends or so I look out for the more creative appetizers! I look at fresh ingredients that are in season they are well combined with other flavours! They will have to wow me!

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

At the fanciest parties, there must be shrimp, nice big ones. I love small stuffed mushrooms, asparagus wrapped in wontons (though they must be made at the last minute), a sweet potato dip that looks like Cheese Whiz. And a nice cheese tray, with a selection of cheeses. Lately I've been buying vegetarian (frozen) appetizers from Trader Joe's, too. They have mini pizzas, lots of things in puff pastry, etc. Mixing those in with homemade is a great way to make a party effortless and elegant.

[Lexi]

I have a very special fondness for bacon-wrapped scallops. They will be served at my wedding, whenever that may be! I've been really into hummus lately too and get really excited when I see brie in any form! Oh, and I also have a weakness for deviled eggs...not high class, but I adore them!

[Lexi]

PS. Oh and a friend of mine makes this asparagus thing that is amazing. Take the asparagus and place it in a pan of boiling water for a minute (is that called flash boiling?) and then into a dish of cold water. Then she takes thinly sliced roast beef and spreads boursin on it, and wraps it around the asparagus. So, so good. I eat so, so many :)

[Emily]

Right on. I love finger foods too. I've always wanted to make a spread out of white beans. Looks delicious!

[Meri]

I really like seeing (and tasting of course) a salsa/dip made with corn, black beans, and a number of other veggies.

[doggybloggy]

as long as I can eat it with my hands and its within reach then that is my favorite....

[Run DMT]

Ooooo...I love it! Low fat and full of flavor!

I love finger foods. My friends and I are big on BYOB and BYOD (bring your own dish) parties. There's quite a good little cooks in my crowd and we never go hungry.

I can't wait to wow them with this! Thanks! :-)

[ksgoodeats]

That sounds fantastic!! As always, of course ;) You have some killer recipes!

I'm a big fan of veggies and dip or cheese and crackers. As a vegetarian I appreciate some sort of app that doesn't include meat and isn't too heavy (i.e. extra cheesy dip, etc.)

[Kate (in the Kitchen)]

Spreads galore are my favorite; hummus, tapenade, sweet potato butter, cream cheese with fresh herbs, cold pack cheeses....

I used to love hot artichoke dip but it's too heavy for me now. I may have to try this one. It looks great!

[katrina]

Oh, that looks gorgeous tasty - AND, I have all the ingredients! Yay! White Bean dip coming up for din.

[daryl]

I would like to request Lydia's recipe for sweet potato dip

[daryl]

Can we have that recipe for sweet potato dip/ Thx!

[5 Star Foodie]

This white bean and artichoke spread sounds great! For superbowl earlier this year, we got a really delicious artichoke spread in our store and really liked it, I have to make my own at home like that sometime soon.

[jshively]

Happy to hear I am the only one who fills up on the appetizers. Also the reason why I rarely ever eat dessert.

Stuffed jalapenos are my favorite goto snack on a stick for a BBQ.

[Bridgett]

I agree, finger foods are perfect. I love all the ingredients in this dip! It looks so creamy and delicious.

[Megan]

I tend to make tons of lists too and I write things in and cross them off and write them back in constantly. My thing when planning a party or gathering with finger foods is to have variety. I try to have some dips, some bread-based things, some vegetarian things, some meat things, and some healthy or lighter options. You never want to overfill people with bread or expect them to subsist on dips. So things like taco dip, stuffed mushrooms (a vegetarian and meat version), mini meatballs, baked brie, antipasto, and fresh fruit can always be found at my gatherings.

[Chrissy]

I'm with you! I love dips! I actually love all appetizers also (and ALWAYS fill up on them), but I tend to gravitate towards dips, and they certainly spell good party to me. I actually make a dip just like this that we eat with homemade pita chips whenever we have the ingredients on hand (which is virtually always). I'm also a fan of the classic spinach-artichoke dip (since you can't go wrong with cheese) or any variation of those ingredients in dip form. (Speaking of cheese...) My brother and his girlfriend (from Mexico) used to make a spicy cheese dip recipe from her family that was great with bagel chips. And my boyfriend is a big fan of onion dip, which becomes classier when you make it at home with some caramelized or fried onions on top. I have a feeling we'll be eating dip tonight. (Maybe cheese fondue...)

[Derevvvo]

Что-то такое слышал, но не так подробно, а откуда материал брали?

[Jenn@slim-shoppin]

For me, when I see people coming around with trays, I love mini crab cakes with a roumelade sauce!

I also love crackers and cheese, mini quiches, meatballs. I'm not hard to please really!

But I agree, I like the apps way better than the meal any day!

[thatShortChick]

I love anything involving a dip, mini meatballs and stuffed mushrooms!

[Paula]

I like the simple things in life - I'm a sucker for the classic sausage roll!!! :)

[Debbie Davis]

Yummmmmm!! I love dips, too! This one looks amazing!

[beyond]

i love appetizers, finger foods and dips too. (but i don't like the thought of people double dipping. friends and family are ok to double dip with though. i'm strange that way)
anything with puff pastry is good. anything with a bit of heat is good. anything with bacon is good...

[Carissa]

that dips sounds sooo good and I am super happy to see an artichoke dip without cheese!! amazing. copying and pasting this recipe into my recipe file right now!

oh, and to answer your question, I think dips and veggies make great apps. someone else wrote mini meatballs and those sound yummy to me right now. I am also a sucker for olives. during holidays my mom puts out black and green olives and pickles and I totally fill up on those!

[burpexcuzme]

I love things that look adorable, like teeny sliders. And I also love things that are easy to eat in one bite, things like a single meatball or a small pancake. Toothpicks come in handy too!
GOOD LUCK on your event! I know you'll rock it! that dip is a MUST, it sounds scrumptious!

[lisamichele]

Maris, WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY OUTSIDE OF, THAT LOOKS SO DAMMMMN GOOD! yOU HAVE A KNACK FOR STIMULATING THE SALIVARY GLANDS :) UH OH, LEFT THE CAPS ON BY ACCIDENT, BUT i'M TOO TIRED TO TYPE IT AGAIN..LOL

[grace]

not only have i never been to a party with vested waiters, but i'm also more of a dessert person. :) i will say that i can get behind anything made with puff pastry and that your spread looks luscious. :)

[taylorsoutback]

Your dip is a must try! One of my favorite party cheese spreads that I make every summer is called Garlic-Herb Cheddar Cheese Spread. Done up in 2 different cheese and herbal combinations layered. Delicious and very eye appealing. I grow all my own herbs during the summer and this recipe showcases fresh parsley, thyme, basil, tarragon, sage and chives. Lovely at summer wedding receptions and parties. I would be happy to share.
If it has cheese, you know you are in Wisconsin - land of happier cows(:-)
Pat T.

[Sunny]

my mom makes homemade egg rolls with sweet and sour sauce for parties sometimes, she makes the best egg rolls i've ever had! and my favorite dip would be hot spinach and artichoke dip. now i'm hungry for appetizers!!

[Catherine]

I love white bean hummus and also artichoke-parmesan dips...but never thought of putting the two together. Sounds really, really great.

[lisa (dandysugar)]

Love yummy dips and spreads at shindigs... Your dip sounds awesome! A perfect party treat!

[brandy]

Oh this made me hungry! That dip looks fantastic!! Hmm, I'm totally with you on being a girl who likes the finger foods more than the actual meal (there's a really dirty joke in there somehow but I'm too tired to make it. And you know, I'm a LADY). Anyway. I'm a huge fan of any dip. Spinach dip is a favourite because I can eat it with gluten free crackers or chips and I don't feel like I'm missing out. I've also never found a spring roll I didn't love.

[Kerstin]

What a great idea to combine white beans and artichokes into a yummy dip! I'm a big hummus fan too. I always make a beeline for the stuffed mushrooms (especially if they have goat cheese in them!), mini crabcakes, and anything in puff pastry :) Caprese skewers are always a huge hit too.

[Melissa]

Your dip reminds me of one of my favorites - the white bean dip with pita chips from Giada I posted about a little while back. Yours has artichokes though which would be so gooood.

Other than that, I'm down for egg salad and little breads or crackers. I;m not overly fond of cheesy dips or regular chips or sweet things or shrimp... mini crab cakes would be great.

[Leslie]

I love when the waiter dudes are walking aroung with any type of seafood like cocnut shrimp.mmmmm
Love the dip