https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:15:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901795 Thu, 07 Nov 2019 17:15:43 +0000 DesertDreams88 2901795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just have a lot of fruit because it is usually cheap and everyone eats it (I have a lot of DF / GF friends) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901790 Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:33:59 +0000 lindseykaye 2901790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Quiche and pigs in a blanket - brilliant!</p> <p>I love Trader Joe's fig jam so much. They also have a really nice roasted onion and garlic jam which is savory but lightly sweet and goes well with cheese too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901789 Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:20:38 +0000 SweetiePie 2901789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: fig jam! That’s a good one. Adding that to my shopping cart.<br /> I’m definitely looking for nibbles vs meal type stuff and everyone’s suggestions are great. </p> <p>Oh I forgot to add that I’ve also been keeping frozen mini quiche in case it’s morning/brunch time and some pigs in a blanket in case it’s more like afternoon/evening and we need something more substantial. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901784 Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:19:12 +0000 lindseykaye 2901784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like my MIL is the queen of pulling a snacking board out of nowhere in her kitchen - she has a lot of these same things on hand and so do we. We tend to only choose things we already are eating or will eat so that nothing goes bad.</p> <p>Hummus/crackers/veg - pretzel crisps are great here too<br /> Salsa/guac packs/tortilla chips - it's amazing what a dollop of sour cream in a small dish of salsa can do to make it feel special<br /> Nuts, cheese, crackers, salami - any and all are fair game. Even rolling sliced provolone and sliced salami or deli meat and putting a pick into it makes it a fancier guest-level snack. Add to this some spicy mustard, a fruit spread (fig jam or pepper jelly are great), or hot honey<br /> Also relish trays can be nice - gherkins, olives, pickled veggies<br /> For something a little heartier I like frozen meatballs with some sauce and cheese melted on top with toothpicks - add baguette slices if you have 'em or frozen spinach artichoke dip and pita/tortilla chips</p> <p>Sparkling water is awesome, and coffee/tea are always nice for folks who do not drink or if it's a non-drinking sort of visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901770 Thu, 07 Nov 2019 11:39:27 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2901770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: hummus and veggies are a staple for snacks when we entertain. and all the other things you mentioned. also agree with sparkling water. we also have a wine fridge so we always have white or rose wine chilled for impromtu guests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901718 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 19:13:09 +0000 pachamama 2901718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kid snacks! I have a popcorn maker and kids love making popcorn. I got that Flava Col salt for it on Amazon. Fruit leather bars, cheese sticks, pretzels too.<br /> Definitely seltzers also! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901717 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 18:53:17 +0000 Hypatia 2901717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Apples. You can slice them and add them to a charcuterie board. They last up to six weeks in the fridge if you leave them whole. I also buy some of those little caramel dips to go with them. </p> <p>Nuts. My favorite are candied pecans. I also buy chocolate dusted almonds and cashews. (Oops, just saw you already had those!)</p> <p>I buy fancy fudge at the local bakery and then freeze it. As long as you have a few hours to let it thaw, it’ll be ready to eat and almost as good as fresh (though I’ve noticed that freezing fudge in bricks or big slices is better than smaller pieces).</p> <p>I also keep regular pretzels and chocolate covered pretzels on hand.</p> <p>Oh yeah, and stuffed olives (I prefer the feta stuffed) and sweet baby dill pickles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901698 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 15:27:54 +0000 JJ2626 2901698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started buying sparkling water (LeCroix or Spindrift) and it’s really nice to be able to offer o people! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901697 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 15:20:45 +0000 castilrm 2901697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cheese plate tends to be my go-to as well but I also try to keep tortilla chips, jarred salsa, and Trader Joe’s guacamole packets (or stuff to make guacamole around). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-what-do-you-keep-on-hand#post-2901694 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:36:29 +0000 SweetiePie 2901694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since moving to the burbs I find it’s more common to have people over and even for people to come over on short notice.<br /> What are some things you like to keep on hand, not for every day but “just in case” type of items. </p> <p>I’ve been finding it’s good to keep:<br /> - good cheese (I can always eat it myself if it gets to the point it will go bad)<br /> - good crackers<br /> - nuts<br /> - wine (obviously)<br /> - some charcuterie (like cured meats that can be in the pantry until I use them)</p> <p>I’m not fancy. I don’t like entertaining. But after we had some people over I realized these are good things to have just in case because the generally don’t spoil too quickly. What else??? </p>