Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 9/1/2008

Question
We are hosing a charity fundraiser at our home next week.  The invitations said that we would be serving appetizers, cocktails & Dessert.  Because of the economic times, we are only asking for a minimum donation of $20/person.  There will also be live music.  Because of the cost, I am resisting having the party catered & serviced.  A few people have offered to volunteer.  The age range of guests is 20-90; some of the guests are just starting out thus have little money - but there will be a few wealthy philanthropists who are accustomed to high end galas.  Please provide some suggestions.  Would I be better off switching to an easy, make ahead entree such as pasta rather than a variety of appetizers?  Please suggest recipes for either approach.

Answer
There are tons of inexpensive hearty appetizers that you can serve and they are quite easy to make.  I suggest looking at your local Sam's club for some of the easier ones such as Nancy's mini-quiches which are really good and easy to prep. They also have a large selection of other bake and serve appetizers--it's caterer's heaven.
Some of the least expensive appetizers to make or buy are:
Deviled Eggs (elegant if piped into egg and garnished)
Sweet/Sour meatballs (frozen pre-fab meatballs in s/s purchased for $3 a quart from any Chinese restaurant in a crock pot for 2-3 hrs.)
Ham Rolls (spread with a mix of cream cheese/scallions, rolled/sliced)
Sausage & peppers (bite size cooked in tomato broth with peppers)
Chicken wings (can be bought precooked and reheated at Sam's/Costco)
Baked Brie (cut rind off top, spread with Basil pesto and Raspberry jam and wrap in a piecrust and bake till crust is golden servie with apple slices and crackers)
Fruit/Veggie dip (always popular with the weight watchers)
Finger sandwiches (Costco and Sam's both have excellent bakeries and you can make mini sandwiches on their croissants and buy the premade spreads in their deli departments)
You can also buy the frozen cheesecakes from the Cheesecake Factory at both Sam's and Costco--less than $10 for a 4 pound presliced cheesecake that can be topped with whatever you like or served plain, you could have a topping bar for the cheesecake with strawberries, blueberries, peaches, caramel, etc.
There's all kinds of options for your party, go take a shopping trip and see what there is out there!