Appetizing Appetizers

No party is complete without an assortment of appetizers spread throughout the kitchen and dining room. Convenient and bite-sized, physician appetizers are the perfect way to keep your guests happy – and full – while you put together your stunning final course.

So whether you’re looking for party ideas weeks ahead of time or seeking some last-minute guidance, here are a few simple appetizers sure to please the palates of your guests.

Quick and Easy Shrimp

Shrimp can be your best friend when trying to pull off a quick holiday appetizer, as long as it comes ready to be cooked. After steaming, sauteing or boiling your own fresh shrimp, add a squeeze of lemon zest for an extra punch.

Some dipping sauce options can include tartar, cocktail, honey mustard or even homemade hot sauce (cook, puree and then strain the juices from about 10 sliced jalapenos, two tablespoons of minced garlic, one tablespoon of olive oil and one cup of white vinegar).

Relish Tray

Spice up your traditional vegetable tray by going with a platter of roasted red peppers, green and/or black olives, cheese cubes, sliced pastrami, marinated artichoke hearts and pickled peppers. You can also add hard breadsticks or pretzel rods for some crunch.

Homemade Salsa

If you’re in a pinch, there is nothing wrong with serving store-bought salsa. But you can do better than that. Grab a few handfuls of fresh produce from your local grocer and get to chopping.

Toss a combination of chopped Roma tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, green pepper and avocado into a mixture of lime juice, salt and pepper for a zesty take on the traditional salsa.

Bite-Sized Tortilla Roll-Ups

Start this sure-hit appetizer by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese on a large flour tortilla. Many cream cheese flavors are on the market, so get creative. Then top the cream cheese with layers of the following ingredients:

• Turkey.

• Ham.

• Chicken.

• Sliced tomato.

• Baby spinach leaves or lettuce.

Roll your tortilla tightly and chill them for up to an hour. Then cut your rolls into slices for easy eating.