8 Inventive Appetizers to Impress at Your Corporate Event
Corporate events are excellent opportunities for companies to gather their employees and increase their sense of community. Here, professionals across the industry do team-building exercises and strengthen relationships to boost morale and brand awareness.
A critical aspect of these events is the food. Feeding employees delicious and healthy treats makes them happy and engaged for the day. Here’s a guide for impressing guests at corporate events with fun appetizers.
8 Inventive Appetizers for Corporate Events
Appetizers are ideal for corporate events because they’re easy to make for large crowds. Event planners should order these eight creative dishes because employees will keep returning for more.
1. Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups
Some of the best appetizers are the ones with a kick to them. Jalapeños bring the heat, ranging from 2,500-8,000 Scoville units. These peppers bring mild spice compared to habaneros and other hot chilis. Jalapeños bring bursts of flavor to any jam, dip or party food. These jalapeño popper wonton cups provide a variety of flavors in an easy-to-eat dish.
These jalapeño poppers are easy to make with minimal cooking involved. Preparers only need to mix the cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese and jalapeños before scooping the mixture into each cup. The wonton cups will finish cooking after about 10 minutes in the oven.
2. Sardine Pate
Dips make terrific appetizers because guests can spread them on bread or vegetable slices, such as cucumbers and carrots. Sardine pate is an excellent example of a healthy dip that tastes delicious. Sardines are high in protein and omega-3, reducing inflammation.
Sardine pate typically includes sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, mayonnaise and scallions. Blending these ingredients combines sweet and savory flavors for a creamy dip employees will devour. Tabasco or other forms of hot sauce pair well with this appetizer.
3. Parsnip-Wrapped Devils on Horseback
Sometimes, classic recipes need a new spin to keep them fresh. Employees at the corporate event may have eaten bacon-wrapped devils on horseback, but they’ll be impressed with this parsnip replacement. Parsnips are an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, making this appetizer healthy and tasty.
This vegan-friendly and inventive appetizer wows guests with its unique combination of flavors. The almonds and paprika bring a smoky sensation, while the pitted dates are sweet enough to taste like a dessert. Blue cheese brings a sharp flavor, and soy sauce transforms parsnip ribbons in the marinade. These parsnip-wrapped devils on horseback taste best when chilled, so planners should refrigerate them at least a day before.
4. Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini
People typically eat grapes cold and in their normal state. However, some cultures freeze or cook them to create delicious treats. Roasting grapes in Mediterranean countries is standard because caramelizing them deepens their flavors and brings out the sweetness. Pairing the roasted grapes with ricotta cheese creates a magnificent sweet and salty combination.
This appetizer calls for about one pound of grapes and 12 baguette slices. Preparing the grapes requires roasting them until they’re soft and their skin peels. Each piece of bread gets ricotta cheese, pine nuts and roasted grapes for a medley of flavors. Honey and lemon zest give the appetizer a fantastic zing to create a real crowd-pleaser.
5. Medieval Hummus
Another famous dip to serve at corporate events is hummus. This Middle Eastern dish typically contains chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic and tahini. There’s no meat, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans in the company. Hummus is versatile with various flavors, such as roasted red pepper and olive tapenade. People can even buy dessert hummus if they have a sweet tooth.
This medieval hummus recipe is nearly 1000 years old, with slight variations from the modern-day dip. Making this hummus requires raw hazelnuts, caraway seeds, tarragon, sesame seeds and other unique ingredients that produce wonderful flavors. Medieval hummus goes best with pita bread, crunchy vegetables or crackers.
6. Tzatziki Shrimp Cucumber Rounds
Mediterranean food is popular because of its healthy options with bold flavors. Plus, most items are affordable at the local supermarket. For example, Greek yogurt is inexpensive and packed with protein, serving as the base for tzatziki sauce. This dip is creamy and versatile and pairs with many different foods.
Tzatziki shrimp cucumber rounds give guests a refreshing appetizer with cold cucumber, fresh shrimp and creamy sauce. Each serving only has 30 calories, making it ideal for those who want a light appetizer before the entree. Crispy bacon pieces put the finishing touches as a salty topping.
7. Figs With Bacon and Chile
Sweet and spicy appetizers are fan favorites because they work together despite their contrasting flavors. Spicy food provides a kick to the mouth, with sweetness arriving to balance the dish. Eating spicy appetizers provides a flavor adventure and has health benefits. Research shows capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, improves gastrointestinal health in small doses.
This appetizer combines ripe figs with red pepper flakes for a sticky, spicy and sweet dish. Figs are high in fiber and vitamins while bringing a slightly acidic and sweet flavor to this dish. The chopped pepper flakes and sliced bacon contrast the fruit and maple syrup’s sweetness.
8. Smoked Salmon Mousse
Salmon is a popular type of seafood that’s the base of many delicious dishes. Chefs can grill, bake and poach it or serve it raw in sushi. Who can resist a California roll? Many eat it as an entree, but this smoked salmon mouse recipe creates a fantastic appetizer.
This smoked salmon mousse is unique because it calls for salmon roe — also known as salmon eggs. Salmon roe is safe and is healthy with vitamin B12 and calcium. The appetizer feels like comfort food when mixing the cream cheese and heavy cream with the salmon and lemon juice. A scoop of the mousse on a cracker will impress guests wanting something different.
Why Pick Unique Appetizers?
Most company get-togethers will have standard appetizers and finger foods, such as chips and dip and fruit platters. These foods are great for large crowds, especially if unknown guests are coming. However, besides these tried-and-true favorites, it’s wise to be inventive and choose appetizers the patrons likely haven’t tasted.
Picking unique appetizers shows thoughtfulness and creativity when planning. Many companies pride themselves on innovation and forward-thinking, so presenting inventive dishes symbolizes this mindset. Plus, they’re terrific conversation starters and can help build relationships.
Bringing Creativity to the Party
Corporate events are strategic ways to increase employee engagement, generate leads and build brand awareness. One way to make guests happy at the event is to serve delicious food. Event planners should be creative and choose one of these inventive appetizers to wow the crowd.
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