My mom always taught me to be a good host!!!!

  Hello again readers, after some time away from my blog I have returned excited and eager to share with you my love and passion for food!! After all who does not love food? From the every night dinners with the better half to a simple easy spread for the in laws. I will be coving it all not only with meals and spreads I have made, but the food taste textures and experiences I have come across in my new adventure moving to Quincy Mass! I hope you ready to dive on in because I sure am.

Being that I myself am on a new adventure of moving to a new place I thought I would share with you in my first post back a little last minute spread I had to put on for my in laws who where coming to see our new place for the first time. Nerve racking yes I know but let me help you get rid of your nerves with something simple easy and that can really be ready in a matter of minutes. First things first weather you know how to confidently cook or not last to next to last minute things happen, and lets be real your not going to slave away all day in the kitchen on something A) you just learned about and B) something that is a quick in and out 30 min type get together!! But they asked for snacks ?? Okay not a big deal you have two options A) buy a bag of chips some dip and throw it in a bowl done, yet nothing to be proud of! B) this is where you rely on the nearest "whole foods" or market that has a good selection of pre made items. Or even a good selection of olives and cheese. This is also where you rely on presentation presentation presentation!!!!!

First lets talk about presentation and location of your spread and we will get into what to serve a little later on.  Just because your serving food does not mean you have to have it in the dinning room or at the kitchen table, you want your guest to be comfortable weather it is a long event or just passing through.  Creating a nice flow allows you guest to grab food sit down talk and enjoy.  Using your every day block cutting bored is a great way to serve and present "your snacks" creating a casual rustic feel.  Another great tip is not everything has to match mix things up!! Dishes, glasses have fun with it remember this is a last minute casual visit, no one is expecting five stars. You can remain a host that is proud of your home and yet not go over what is expected....... Remember your time matters so find a balance that works for you.  Bringing me to what I think is a perfect "snack" menu for something like this.

What you serve can depend on many different things and if you try in factor in all possible factors it can be overwhelming, to help with the menu I factor in 3 things. 1) who your serving. 2) how many your serving and last 3) what time of day your spread is being served. When being the host of a get together it is often hard to please everyone 100%, yet if you know who your serving that can help guide your menu.  Now if your hosting say a baby shower or bridal shower for a friend have options!! If you have options most of the time your good!! Something like seem above is also good if the number if people changes at last minute. Another good tip is you don't have to buy enough of each thing for everyone buy enough for a portion of the number of guest for if you have options your guest are most likely to sample not just go for one and only one thing.  Time of the event is also important not just in what your serving but the types of food your serving.  For a night or evening event that your not serving a full dinner for you want something filling but not to heavy. Cocktail Shrimp is a choose because the protein is filling without being heavy, focus on one main item "cocktail shrimp" and pair that with grapes crackers and cheeses and just to cut through everything some nice briny olives!! And you have the perfect spread that looks like you spent all afternoon.  Until the next post have fun play with your food and get creative!!