'Tis the season of endless parties! And since food plays a big role or let's just say make for great conversation starters, it has to be well planned. We think the decor, guest list, venue and even theme ain't as important as the menu and drinks to go with it.
A food platter is therefore much appreciated as it pairs well with the endless flow of drinks at any party. Putting together the perfect party platter isn't as tough as it looks. You just need to keep a few things in mind.
Serve variety
The first step to a good party platter is giving people the liberty to choose what they want to eat. No one wants to be stuck snacking on the same thing all night. Mix things up and offer a wide variety of things on the platter. Try having a range of veg and non-veg snacks for everyone to choose from. If you plan to keep mini burgers, serve some croquets and onion rings with them too. This way everyone's happy!
Keep it bite size
Having large portions on a platter may not be a very good idea. Keep the portions small and bite sized so that your guests can just pick 'em and munch on with a sip of their favourite drink. Try having mini sandwiches or small fried snacks that are commonly liked.
Accompaniments
Just putting together a platter with great snacks isn't enough if there aren’t great accompaniments to go with it. For example, if you are serving mini cheese balls, have a mint mayonnaise dip to go with it. All the dips, chutneys and bread sticks are important for your perfectly curated platter.
Presentation matters
As they say, you eat with your eyes first and so presentation is very important. Make sure to have good plates that are delicate, pretty and go well with the theme of the party. Stack up all the snacks neatly and make sure the platter is clean of crumbs and fallouts or if you are serving cheese, make sure to slice it neatly. Garnishing is important too, so add some chopped parsley or nicely cut tomatoes to make it look more appealing.
Maintain a balance
Your platter should have flavours and textures that complement each other well. Since there will be different dishes on the same platter, it is important for the flavours to not clash with each other. For example, cheese and grapes or crackers are a great combination to serve. Variety is good but make sure the flavours are not completely contrast.
Pick a good platter
With all the other important elements, the main platter in which the food will be served cannot be ignored. Make sure it is big enough to comfortably fit as many elements as it can. A glass platter might not be a good idea as the chances of someone accidentally flipping it over are more, so try to go for stronger material. A decorative and strong platter is what you need.