Easy Cocktail Party Menu Ideas With KitchenAid
This deceptively simple menu takes the guesswork out of planning—and actually lets you enjoy the party
Cocktail parties are often touted as the easy alternative to planning a dinner party. But making a bunch of appetizers from scratch (not to mention cocktails) can be just as time-consuming as making full meals—unless you have the right tools for the job. This holiday season, we're using KitchenAid® appliances to create a crowd-pleasing menu in record time. From savory finger foods to a drink that can be easily scaled up for a crowd, we've rounded up our favorite cocktail party recipes that are as impressive as they are easy to create. After all, the best host is the one who actually gets to enjoy the party.
Nachos with Chorizo, Pork Tenderloin and Beans
You'll quickly see why feijoada is Brazil's national dish: It's full of bold, meaty flavors, making it a more interesting nacho topper than typical chili. Add contrast to the chorizo-studded stew by swapping tortilla chips for homemade sweet potato ones. You won't have to struggle with hand-slicing thick sweet potatoes; instead use the KitchenAid® Vegetable Sheet Cutter, a handy Stand Mixer attachment for creating paper-thin slices that bake up fast.
Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Green Raisin Pesto
A great hors d'oeuvre is one that can be easily consumed in less than two bites. These spiced meatballs definitely fit the bill—and can even be made in advance. Their light texture comes from using fresh bread crumbs, which you can make with ease thanks to the KitchenAid® Food Grinder attachment. While the meatballs bake, the KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Blender is your go-to for making an addictive minty pesto topping in mere minutes.
Caramelized Onion Dip with Feta, Spinach and Walnuts
This flavor-packed dip is a fresh take on everyone's nostalgic favorite. Though it's slightly more advanced than opening a packet of onion soup mix, the dip comes together in a flash when you prep ingredients with the KitchenAid® Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder attachment. Another shortcut? Simply use your KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Blender to mix everything together. Warning: You might want to double the recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail, Reinvented
Few things feel more festive than shrimp cocktail. It's hard to improve on a classic, but opting for freshly made cocktail sauce instead of the jarred stuff makes a huge difference. The base is made from roast tomatoes and cayenne peppers, which are then quickly blitzed together with an array of seasonings in a KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Blender. You can make the batch up to four days ahead of your party to save even more time.
Holiday-Ready Red Wine Sangria
Give sangria a winter update by spiking it with soul-warming brandy and Cointreau. Apples, pears and blood oranges make it merry and bright—but you don't have to spend time at a cutting board dealing with all that fruit. Instead, use the KitchenAid® Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder attachment to do the work for you. It's the next best thing to hiring a bartender.