Wine party

[smilewithme]

We're having a wine tasting party on Saturday. I'm torn whether I should make it an appetizer only affair or cook a pan or two of manicotti plus some appetizers that would pair well with wine.

What would you prefer if you were attending such a party? Do you have a favorite appetizer and/or dessert to share with me?

Thanks!

[KellyM]

I would go for the appetizer only affair.

I went to a wine party a few months ago and as the food, the hostess provided cheeses, chocolates and some other appetizers! It was wonderful!

[TazLuv]

Is it a dinner time party? If so then at least heavy appetizers are in order. You don't want your guest to get drunk because they haven't eaten.

I have a really yummy parmesan cheese cracker/cookie that goes great with wine parties - I'll post it after I get home tonight. Have fun! :)

[tenofcups]

I'd also be inclined to go with apps, but a lot of them! Manicotti or something similar seems to me to be a little heavy and perhaps overwhelming for tasting various wines. I'd most likely do lots of cheese and crackers, a dip or two with breads (spinach dip, crab dip, etc.), maybe some small quiches, and other things along those lines. And some sweets, of course! If you want something a little heavier, you might want to consider a fondue with bread, potato chunks, pearl onions, etc. -- a little more substantial but still not a full meal.

[Katy]

if it's a wine TASTING party, then I'd only go with apps. If it's a dinner party, then I'd stick to one or two kinds of wine that would complement your meal.

[mamax2]

I'd prefer heavy h'ds. Are you doing a blind tasting type of thing or is it more or less just a cocktail party w/lots of different wines? One of my favorite ways to throw this type of event is to make an app that pairs w/each wine and set up the wine and the food at a station. Have the stations spread out to ease traffic flow and encourage mingling. This is a great way to really see how food & wine works together.

[TazLuv]

Here is the recipe for the Parmesan Crackers:

Parmesan Crackers

½ cup unsalted butter 1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

In a food processor, combine ingredients, and pulse until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, and form it into a log 1 ½ inches in diameter. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two baking sheets. Cut log into ¼-inch thick crackers, and place them an inch apart on sheets. Bake until firm, about 12-13 minutes. Remove baking sheets from over, and raise temperature to 500 degrees. When temperature comes up to correct heat, return sheets to oven and bake for 3 minutes more, or until crackers are deeply golden brown all over. Let cool on a wire rack.