SEXY SHRIMP COCKTAIL: Put a fresh spin on the elegant and easy classic by layering avocado cubes, cooked bay shrimp, shredded iceberg lettuce, and cocktail sauce in a fluted glass or martini glass. Add a lemon wedge to the rim of the glass and serve with a spoon.
A DATE WITH DATES: For a match made in heaven, pair the sweet, caramel-like flavors of fresh Medjool dates (available at your local grocer) with the salty character of Parmesan cheese. Just cut a slit into the date, add a generous protruding sliver of cheese, sprinkle with minced parsley for visual flair, and present on a decorative platter.
BELGIAN ENDIVE BITES: Elegance is yours if you fan Belgian endive leaves on a platter, fill the base of each one with a tablespoon of crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnut pieces, and a drizzle of honey, and serve with a smile.
A SAUSAGE SENSATION: Okay. So you’ll have to reheat the sausages. But that’s minimal effort for maximum return. Cut them into bite-size pieces, stack ’em high on a platter, add a side of toothpicks, and offer an array of dips in pretty bowls—think catsup, various mustards, barbecue sauce, and maple syrup. Add little cards identifying each dip and you’re instantly divine.
SOUP-ERB!: Show your entertaining prowess by offering one of the most elegant edibles of all: a sultry, silky soup. Just grab readymade butternut-squash soup—or any other favorite creamy-style flavor—heat and ladle it into mugs, and top with glamorizing garnishes such as a dollop of sour cream, bacon bits, diced green apple, or minced parsley. Now how easy was that?
