By Kathy Owen | Wealth of Geeks
Americans ate about 1.45 billion chicken wings while watching the 2024 Super Bowl, according to the National Chicken Council’s 2024 Wing Report.
Wings were the most popular food to serve at Super Bowl parties this year, according to Give Me Sport. While these delicious snacks have been a favorite party food for decades, they’re not the only dish guests enjoy at the function. From pizza to nachos to chips and dip, there are so many popular foods that take center stage at the party.
When planning an event, it’s important to consider the menu before the guests arrive. After all, what’s a party without an expansive selection of snacks?
Party State of Mind
A lot of people will admit that one of the best parts of a party is the food. Before the event, a party host should consider whether the event should be a potluck, catered, or if they will make most of the dishes.
Opting for a potluck, where each guest brings a dish or two, is easy and relatively cheaper for the host. Guests who don’t want to cook or don’t like to can contribute chips, dip, salsa, or something similar that doesn’t require culinary skills to produce. If someone has dietary restrictions, having a potluck ensures that everyone can enjoy at least one item.
Hosts may ask guests to sign up for their preferred appetizer, side, or dessert rather than having mostly snack foods and duplicates.
A Good Start
Starting the party out with appetizers is always a great way to get your guests fed before a larger meal. These small bites run the gamut of savory food options and can include the ubiquitous chips and dip, mini eggrolls, pizza bites, toasted pita with hummus, and thousands of other dishes.
Alex Caspero, with Delish Knowledge, says, “I may be a cliche, but as a dietitian, I almost always bring a healthier appetizer option to a party… having a more nutrient-rich option cuts down on calories and helps to balance the heaviness… I usually do some type of fun dip — like a cowboy caviar with black beans, tomatoes, and corn, or a fresh salsa, like my pico de gallo.”
Cheese and charcuterie boards are trendy these days, too. Start by choosing a selection of cheeses and meats, such as brie, cheddar, salami, and prosciutto. Then, pick accompaniments, like olives, crackers, fruit, mustard, etc. Pots of jam are popular on a charcuterie board, too. A large cutting board works as the serving platter, and there are many presentation ideas online.
“My favorite party foods are cream cheese boards,” says Tiffany McCauley with The Gracious Pantry. “They are so versatile. You can put anything on them… They are always good, and they look great for guests.”
The Main Event
A more complex party might have a few entrees instead of just a few appetizers. Bigger dishes such as a pot roast, fried chicken, sliced ham, or lasagna might be contributed for the group. A more snack-based party may include saucy meatballs in a slow cooker, a hearty soup or stew such as chili, or a sliced meat and cheese buffet tray for sandwiches.
Another easy but beloved meal for a party is sandwiches. Choose your favorites, like pimento cheese, tuna, or chicken salad. Sandwiches are great for younger guests who might not like other dishes but are happy with something simple like peanut butter and jelly.
But what’s a main dish if it doesn’t have something to go with? Some cooks might skip out on making a main dish and focus on side dishes.
Some classic side dishes include mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, or baked beans. Vegetable casseroles, as well as other cold options like potato salad, are popular at parties. The menu might include garden-fresh boiled corn or homegrown sliced tomatoes, depending on the season.
Karen Kelly with Seasonal Cravings says, “If I need a potluck side dish, I make a big orzo salad with whatever seasonal vegetables I can find, like cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, feta, and olives. I dress it with my favorite balsamic vinegar dressing and add fresh herbs if I have any. It complements just about any main dish, so it works well for most events.”
A Sweet Finish
Most people love desserts, and a party is a great place to sample a variety of them. Brownies, cookies, or other baked items are popular since they are easy to transport and make. Amateur pastry chefs may flex their culinary muscles by bringing a spectacular cake or pie with a mile-high meringue on top.
Fruit plates with sweet, creamy dips are popular additions to the dessert table if guests want something a little lighter. Although congealed salads aren’t as popular as they were 40 years ago, they can still find friends at a party. No-bake desserts or other low-sugar desserts are popular with the crowd as well.
Wetting the Whistle
Party hosts can either provide all the beverages or ask people to bring their own. If they choose to provide alcohol or allow others to bring it, they should be prepared to cut guests off when they’ve had too much. They should also be willing to call them a cab, Lyft, or Uber home. In some states, hosts can be held liable for accidents their guests have if they were overserved. Hosts should never serve minors any alcohol, even if their parents are present and don’t mind.
Some hosts may just want to skip the worry and host an alcohol-free event. Non-alcoholic drinks, like water, fruit seltzers, sodas, and fruit juices, are sometimes just as welcomed as alcoholic ones. A tray containing sliced fruits, cucumbers, and herbs like mint or basil can be used in water infusers for a different take on plain water.
When the Party’s Over
Once all the fun has been had and the guests are ready to leave, the host can provide paper or plastic plates with foil or plastic wrap so guests can take leftovers home. Guests should make sure to grab any dishes they might have brought or make plans with the host to get their items back at a different time.
At the end of the night, guests can happily leave with their leftovers, and the host can relax and not have to worry about cleaning up once the house is cleared of guests.
This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
