Appetizing Party Ideas from Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway

appetizer party ideas
Peppadew peppers can be stuffed with a variety of fillings for a tasty and attractive bite.
0 Shares

 

By Katie Hurley

appetizer party ideas
Peppadew peppers can be stuffed with a variety of fillings for a tasty and attractive bite.

The holidays are a great time to gather with friends and family for fun, food and celebration. To make the most of your time together, appetizers are a great way to feed the crowds without spending the whole party in the kitchen. Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway stores have everything you need to put together an impressive selection of appetizers for your guests and you’ll be able to do all of the prep before they arrive.

In the deli, Divino offers a great selection of olives, marinated peppers and onions and marinated feta cheese that are all great for an antipasto platter. Some good crackers and sliced Columbus Porcini salami would round out the platter nicely. The assortment of cheese at Ralph’s and Bayview is nearly endless. Marinated Peppadew peppers are sweet and crunchy with just a little bit of heat, and are a beautiful bright red bite-sized appetizer when stuffed with herbed goat cheese or cream cheese.

Locally produced Cranberry Blu artisan cheese spread from Willapa Hills Cheese is tangy and sweet, and is yummy on a nutty, grainy Raincoast Crisp cracker or rolled up in a thin slice of Boar’s Head turkey or roast beef. The creamy cheese spread also comes in Bacon Blu, Honey Chipotle and Garlic Herb flavors, all of which are great stuffed inside in fresh Ostrom’s mushrooms.

appetizer party ideas
Bel Gioioso Unwrap & Roll Mozzarella makes an easy and attractive appetizer.

Bel Gioioso’s Unwrap & Roll fresh mozzarella cheese rolls out into a thin sheet to top with any flavors you choose, roll up and slice to make attractive cheese pinwheels. Spread a thin layer of Ila’s Sundried Tomato and Basil Pesto and top with thin prosciutto slices, or change it up with horseradish sauce and thin slices of roast beef. Another tasty filling option is proscuitto and stalks of Tillen Farms pickled asparagus.

Thin, sweet waffle wafers are a surprisingly great combination with a little bit of tangy blue cheese. Cut the wafers into fourths and place a small dollop of creamy Saga blue cheese or some gorgonzola cheese on each wedge. Blue cheese is also fantastic stuffed inside pitted Medjool dates for a quick and simple appetizer.

Steve’s Hot Smoked Salmon, made in Buckley, is a repeat winner in both the professional and people’s choice categories at Westport Salmon Tales. This tender, moist, smoky salmon doesn’t need any accompaniments but a sturdy cracker to transport it into your mouth. Steve’s Hot Smoked Cheese is also delicious and packs a smoky punch – cut it into small cubes and serve with toothpicks.

appetizer party ideas
Ready-made cheese boards are available in Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway deli departments.

If you’re really in a time crunch, or you need to pick up an appetizer on your way to work or a party, a selection of ready-made cheese boards are a quick and easy answer. Three different cheeses, a wood cheese board and a cheese knife are bundled together, and some of the sets are specifically labeled and designed to be served with red wines.

Extra large cooked prawns, fresh from the seafood department, can be assembled quickly for a shrimp platter or individual shrimp cocktails. Fill a serving bowl with crushed ice, place a small bowl of cocktail sauce or wasabi tartar sauce in the center and layer the chilled prawns on the ice. Include a small bowl on the side for guests to discard the tails. Premade shrimp platters are also available in the seafood department freezer. AquaStar Coconut Shrimp make a tasty hot appetizer. Sweet Chili dipping sauce is included in the package. Simply bake the shrimp and defrost the sauce and it is ready to serve.

Whether your entertaining or heading out to a party, locally owned Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway stores have what you need. Stop by and see the options for all of your holiday appetizer needs!

 

appetizer party ideas
Sweet waffle wafers pair perfectly with tangy Saga blue cheese.

Bayview Thriftway

516 W. 4th Ave. in Olympia

360-352-4897

 

Ralph’s Thriftway

1908 E. 4th Ave. in Olympia

360-357-8011

www.olythriftway.com

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares