| The role your appetizers play in your party plan determines the amount you will need to prepare. The following is a general guideline for a wine and cheese party, cocktail party or impromptu gathering. This buying guide is not intended to provide a full meal, or for a gathering lasting longer than 2 to 3 hours. Please adjust your buying with these factors in mind. |
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| Meat and Cheese Tray |
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| Meat, 3 oz. per person |
| Cheese, 3 oz. per person |
| Crackers, 2 oz. per person |
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| Seafood Appetizers |
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| Cocktail Shrimp (large), 3-4 per person |
| Cocktail Sauce, 2 tablespoons per person |
| Caviar, 1/2 teaspoon per person |
| Seafood Dips, 3-4 tablespoons per person |
| Allow 3-4 seafood appetizer pieces per person |
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| Vegetables and Dip |
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| Dip, 3 tablespoons per person |
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| Asparagus, 1 ½ ounces per person |
| Broccoli, 2 ½ ounces per person |
| Carrots, 1 ½ ounces per person |
| Cauliflower, 2 ½ ounces per person |
| Celery, 2 ½ ounces per person |
| Cherry Tomatoes, 1 ½ ounces per person |
| Cucumber, 2 ½ ounces per person |
| Jicama, 2 ounces per person |
| Mushrooms, 1 ½ ounces per person |
| Pea pods, 1 ounce per person |
| Zucchini, 2 ounces per person |
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| Fruit |
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| Dip, 3 tablespoons per person |
| Prepared mixed fruit, 1 cup per person |
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| Approximate Yield per pound of Fruit: |
| Blueberries, 1 pint = 2 cups |
| Cantaloupe, 3 pounds = 4 cups |
| Grapes, 1 pound = 2 cups |
| Honeydew, 3 pounds = 4 cups |
| Pineapple, 1 pound = 5 cups |
| Raspberries, 1 pint = 2 cups |
| Strawberries, 1 pound = 4 cups |
| Watermelon, 4 ¼ pounds = 4 cups |
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| Cocktail and Finger Sandwiches |
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| Cocktail buns, 3 per person |
| Meat, 3 ounces per person |
| Cheese, 1 ½ ounces per person |
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| Miscellaneous |
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| Cocktail Wieners, 3 - 4 per person |
| Meatballs, 3 - 4 per person |
| Miniature Quiche, 3 - 4 per person |
| FYI: A one pound bag of Cocktail Wieners, or Meatballs, contains approximately 25 pieces |
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| Mixed Nuts, ½ ounce per person |
| Olives, 2 ounces per person (or 2-3 pieces per person) |
| Pickles, 2 ½ ounces per person (or 2-3 pieces per person) |
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| Allow for 1 piece of dessert per person, 2-3 petits-fours per person |
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| Chips 2 ounces per person |
| Dip 3 tablespoons per person |
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| Beverages |
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| ½ bottle of wine per person, per hour |
| 1-2 beers per person, per hour |
| 1-2 soft drinks or mineral water per person, per hour |
| A one pound can of coffee will provide approximately 50 (6 ounce) servings. |
| One gallon of fruit punch or soft drink will provide approximately 20 - 6 ounce servings. |
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| Helpful Hints |
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| For items not listed, 3-4 appetizer pieces per person is a safe guideline for a host to follow. |
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| Fresh vegetables can be prepared the day before your party. Store in plastic storage bags or containers and add several ice cubes to keep vegetables crisp until serving. |
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| Adjust beverage amounts according to the type of gathering and the drinking habits of your guests. Always remember to provide non alcoholic beverages. |
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| Keep a bucket of ice water handy to chill wine if needed. |
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| To prevent misplacing of beverages, provide your guests with wine charms and/or personalized beverage holders. |
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| Be prepared, it's always better to have too much food. |
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| Serve a variety of hot and cold appetizers if a sit down meal does not follow. |
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| Prepare as much as you can the day before the gathering. |
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| Conversions |
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| * 16 tbsp. = 1 Cup |
| * 16 oz. = 1 pound |
| * 32 oz = 1 quart |
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| Conversion Deli Style |
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| 1 pint = 1 pound, Serves 2 - 3 |
| 1 quart = 2 pounds, Serves 4 - 6 |
| 1/2 gal. = 4 pounds, Serves 10 - 12 |
| 1 gallon = 8 pounds, Serves 20 - 25 |
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