Stuffed sautéed or baked mushrooms. Veggies and dip. Phyllo wrapped Brie baked served with Crackers.

https://tasty.co/recipe/gooey-baked-brie-in-phyllo-dough

Love that stuff! Different fruit can be used.

Following with great interest. We are having an 80th birthday party in mid-August for 60-70 people. BIL is cooking the pig, we'll have the sides catered. We just sat down tonight and planned it out, but gave no thought to apps. Hmmmmm.

When I think of summertime beach gatherings, I think of seafood and lighter fare.

Shrimp and crab salad bruschetta, stuffed tiny tomatoes, lettuce wraps, rice paper wrapped vegetarian summer rolls, prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe and mozzarella, chilled sushi rolls, yum!

If it's in a hot area, keep it light and keep it cold. Cheese will wilt, hot stuff will smolder.

It sounds like fun. I need the address and the time. Thanks.

• 1 pound bacon
• 1 pound smokie links
• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups brown sugar

How to Make It

Preheat oven to 375F. Cut the bacon into thirds and wrap each smokie. Place all the wrapped smokies in a single layer in a baking dish. Then melt the stick of butter and then 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until mixed well. Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture on the smokies and bacon. Then take the other cup of brown sugar and sprinkle evenly over the smokies. Bake them for about 15-20 minutes and then turn the heat up to 400F for about 5 minutes or longer until the bacon becomes crispy.

I attended an outdoor wedding last summer and these were served at the reception...disappeared really quickly...not healthy at all, but apparently are a favorite old timey appetizer.

Fun2 they sound good but thst seems like a lot of sugar. Does the sugar form a crisp on the smokies?

I'd keep it simple a platter of veggies with dip, a platter of cut up fruit with toothpicks, chips with salsa or other dip, cheese and crackers.

Mamapinky0, yes, the sugar forms a kind of crust on the bacon. I watched them being made and I think they just covered the bacon wrapped smokies with the brown sugar. I don't think they did the butter mixture as called for in the recipe. You have to watch them really carefully, though, or the sugar will smoke and burn.

I agree with simple dips/chips/salsa, etc. Maybe some hummus with veggies. I'm not fond of cheese sitting out if it's hot outside, or anything else that can get a little crusty in the heat. If it won't be hot, then maybe cheese and crackers. Nuts are good, too.

First time I had this was at a KT get together years ago. A big hit. I've made this many times since

JEZEBEL

1 c. apricot preserves
1 c. pineapple preserves
1/4 c. horseradish, drained
3 tbsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. pepper
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

Mix preserves, horseradish, mustard, and pepper. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator. To serve, place 1/3 cup of hot jezebel on cream cheese. May be prepared ahead.

Beachside family/friends gatherings are a summer tradition in my area....and we have a big one coming up next week!! Always hosted by the same couple since they have the beachfront property and sometimes catered, sometimes not. Depends on how many will be in attendance.

Snacks or 'nibbles' are always part of the scene and typically contributed by other family members. Homemade guacamole is pretty much standard fare, together with chips and salsa. Other standard options are deviled eggs, crudities and dip and caprese skewers. Fresh seafood (shrimp, oysters) may or may not make an appearance. And often the host will grill bacon wrapped stuffed dates.........those are pretty darn tasty!!

How about just making raw fruit and vegetable skewers -- separately I mean. You know, tiny tomato, olive,cucumber, red & green peppers. Same for the fruit -- pineapple, grape, apple, etc. I'm not a fan of dips because I'm fanatic about double dipping -- I don't care if science says it's not particularly germy to do that -- but go for it if you like it. Or have your "dip" in a squeeze bottle. Or -- put a spoon in the dip. But I know that's only my concern, not for most people.

What will the seating situation be like? If you expect people to be mostly on their feet mingling during cocktail hour (and you're having a huge feast later), I would keep it very simple with bowls of seasoned nuts, olives and flavored chips (things that taste good without a dip for easier one-handed consumption) placed in various locations around the house, so that people don't just stand on top of one appetizer table. If you want something a little more substantial, add some deviled eggs, bacon wrapped dates and/or small canapes, but make sure you stick with things that are easy to pick up and eat with one hand, don't require a plate/fork and can be consumed in their entirety (so no toothpicks, no olive pits, no shrimp tails, etc.). This makes mingling so much easier!

If you like Sangria type drinks (like I do!) - I saved this recipe awhile back. I'm trying it for a family BBQ on the weekend:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/seaside-sunrise

I also have a recipe for a Passion Fruit and Pineapple Sangria that I want to try this summer.

Smoked salmon spirals: tortillas spread with Boursin Cheese, layered with smoked salmon and sprinkled with cilantro or watercress leaves. Roll up tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours. Cut into one inch pieces to serve. You can also do this using drained jarred roasted red pepper for a vegetarian option.

I remember seeing an interview with Jennifer Aniston. She said her favorite food was, "chips 'n salsa". After that, I always think I over do the snacks when a big name star would be happy with something so simple...but the presentation...now THAT has to be done well. :0)

Would really depend on what temperature/weather conditions were for the event. Cool days would make different dishes tasty than hot days. I'd prefer a variety of lighter (fruit/veg, etc) mixed in with heavier dishes (cocktail meatballs, smokies, "mixed eggs", etc).

I made these appetizers recently. So easy and cool.

Use a large bag of mixed mini-sweet papers. Wash. Cut in half, remove seeds and pulp. Fill with guacamole. Done. They are yummy and look pretty on a serving plate.

For anyone who doesn’t like guacamole, you could use hummus or another dip for variety. No double-dipping to worry about.