Texas Chowgirl

My sister rocks at this. This is her list. Did I mention she trained at the French Culinary Institute? My girl knows food!. I would love your comments for ideas. For some reason, my mind always goes blank when I try to think of things to serve. Gratefully, I can easily refer to this list now!
Appetizers

–Sushi (only veggie or California rolls– don’t want seafood sitting out)—- always a hit!
— Olive tampenade with goat cheese on crustini.  (very easy, make tampenade ahead of time.  Toast just before party.  Spread tampenade on sliced french bread top with goat cheese and bake for  few minutes, until cheese looks like it is melting.  (Bring tampenade to room temp– take out of frig morning of party).  YUMMY– always a crowd pleaser
–Mini crab cakes — always a hit
–Crab dip– the real stuff
–Pizza dip, serve with pita points
–Brie with pesto and toasted almonds serve with crackers
–Pimento cheese with crackers, on sliced half (lengthwise) jalapeno, or with celery
–Candied/Spiced Pecans——– yummy (any left overs — save them for a salad!)
–Deviled eggs– a must.  For those who are on a low carb diet   (Fun twist– cut eggs in half at the fat part, not the length.  You may want to cut a little off the bottom, so the don’t slide on plate.  Makes them look more elegant to me!)   Top with caviar on some if you like.
–Veggies with ranch.  Seems dull, but I still love it.  Plus it is very colorful  (Cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, carrots….. )
–Smoked Salmon with crackers/bread  (chopped red onion, boiled eggs, capers, lemon, cream cheese)
-Meatballs
-Dates with bacon—– VERY easy and good.  Dates (seedless) dried.  Wrap with bacon– bake until bacon is done.
–Warm goat cheese with marinara served with bread
–Warm goat cheese spread with thyme.  served with bread
–Guacamole with chips– YUM
–Goat cheese on puff pastry squares or circles with sliced apples on top, garnish with thyme
–Spanakopita   Phyllo /spinach/red onion/feta/dill/salt/pepper/butter—– a little time consuming
–Texas Caviar  with blue chips (Salsa with either black-eyed peas or black beans– dress it up a bit– cilantro, garlic,  etc….)
–Canapés
–9 layer bean dip
–Hummus with pita
— Caprese’  Tomato/fresh mozz/fresh basil (or pesto) salad– with balsamic drizzle
–Mini quesadillas– black bean and goat cheese/  shrimp/cheddar
–Shrimp cocktail with cocktail (only with good shrimp)
–Chicken salad with bread/crackers (Chicken, candied pecans, blue cheese (if you want), mayo, grapes, salt/pepper)——– again, if someone is on low carb

Dessert
-Truffles
-Chocolate dipped strawberries
-carrot cake cupcakes

Drinks
–Sangria (yummy– drinks for the masses at very little cost!)
–Champagne drinks–  Royal Kir with fresh berries or I like to use frozen (keeps drink cold)  — put Chambord in with frozen berries, put into bottom of wine glass, then pour champagne.
–Mojitos
–Margaritas