Snacks are essential for any get-together during the holidays. Opt for a stress-free day by preparing things that can be prepared ahead of time. We have listed 10 snacks that you can easily prepare earlier. In combination with a festive drink, they set the tone for a fun evening and offer you the opportunity to welcome your guests.
Cold dips based on mayo, sour cream or Greek yogurt are great to prepare ahead of time. Make them up to two days in advance and put them in the fridge. If the dip needs fresh herbs, add them shortly before serving.
Instead of cutting a lot of bread before the guests arrive, make crostini toasts — these are easier. Cut a baguette into slices, put olive oil and sea salt on it and place it on a baking tray in the oven. Leave them in the oven at 250 degrees until they are golden brown. Make them two days in advance and store them in an airtight container.
You can cut and arrange cheeses three to four hours in advance, but make sure to cover them tightly in plastic so the cheeses don't dry out. Use dried fruit instead of fresh, or chutney, and some nuts. Take the shelf out of the fridge an hour in advance to allow everything to come to room temperature.
You can cut your vegetables up to two days in advance. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and seal them tightly in Ziplock bags. Serve them next to a basket of pita bread and one of the dipping sauces.
Make your fresh hummus up to three to four days in advance. Take it out of the fridge an hour before serving and let it come to room temperature. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt, fresh parsley and toasted pine nuts just before serving.
Prepare and marinate the wings the day before, as well as the sauces. On the day of the party, all you have to do is throw them in the oven.
Cut open the dates and put a teaspoon of goat cheese in each of them. Prepare them the morning of your party and store in the fridge. Garnish with a drizzle of honey and some chopped thyme just before serving.
Poach shrimp up to one day in advance. Let them rest on a bed of ice just before serving. You can prepare homemade cocktail sauce or vinaigrettes four to five days in advance.
Marinated olives are delicious and taste even better when made ahead of time. Marinate them up to two weeks in advance and serve at room temperature.
You can easily make salmon wraps in the morning. Take a tortilla wrap and spread it with cream cheese. Then top with smoked salmon and pieces of iceberg lettuce. Cut them into small pieces and place them on a plate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until just before serving.
