Aside from the other comments about adding Charcuterie (sausage, jambon seranno /Spanish Ham) I like adding in:
-Grisini (Thin Italian style breadsticks wrapped with a thin twist of prosciutto)
-Marniated olives
-Dried Fruit
-Mixed nuts
-Hummus (chickpea dip) or Baba Ganoush (smokey eggplant dip)
-Roasted marniate pepper slices (can be found in the jar)
-Steamed artichokes with a garlic olive oil or aoli (garlicy mayonnaise)
Here's a great warm olive dish that has always been a hit at my parties:
Warm Marinated Olives
-1 can/jar kalamata olives (drained)
-1 can/jar green olives (drained)
-1 can/jar picholine olives (drained)
2 c. olive oil
6 whole cloves of garlic
4 strips of lemon zest
4 strips of orange zest
salt grid/ 6 whole black peppercorns
2 sprigs of rosemary
1 fillet of anchovie or small squeeze of anchovie paste (trust me on this...it adds so much flavor)
Combine all of the ingredients together in a small pot. Set on low heat about 30 min. before your party. When the guests arrive, spoon everything into a nice serving bowl, place on tray with a small discard bowl for pits. This dish can be assembled in a small baking pan the night before and if you are using the oven for your meal, then just set this at the back of the oven for about 30 min. to rewarm (@ 350 degrees).
A fruit and veggie array.
Deviled eggs.
Shrimp with cocktail sauce and crackers.
Proscuitto wrapped Honey Dew or Cantaloupe.
Smoked salmon plate which includes the options of things like cream cheese, tomato, red onion, cucumber, capers, caviar, toast points or small slices of toasted bagel for example.
Sushi offers lots of options.
A good cheese board will have crackers, fruit (especially grapes and pear and apple slices), and fruit spreads as well as cheese. I often put good smoked and dried sausages on a cheese board, too. (Are there really people who don't like cheese?!)
A Charcuterie is popular, that is a plate of cured meats.
Plus you always have some fruits with the cheese as well.
Stuffed mushrooms are an alternative. This recipe has cream cheese and Parmesan cheese, but your guests might love it. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mouth-water...
a veggie platter!
