Party Food Ideas on a Budget

Planning to organize a successful party? The answer to a successful party depends on three things - the enthusiasm of the guests, good music, great food and drinks. A party loses its soul, if guests don't enjoy the look and taste of the food. Though, it is really good to plan in detail about the food that would please and fill the stomachs of all the excited foodies, care should be taken that money is not splurge just on food. A great party can be organized by spending less money and implementing the following party food ideas on a budget.

Food Ideas on a Budget

Hosting a dinner party is a great way to organize a get-together with friends, and catch up on some old memories. But we all know that planning a dinner is not that easy, and hosting such a small event also costs a lot of money. In such instances, using one's creativity can actually save the day.

Buy Drinks in Bulk
To save money on drinks, it is advised that you shop for them in bulk. You would end up paying less for every case of beer you buy. Not just beer, wines and other alcoholic spirits are less expensive if bought in high numbers. Boxed spirits offer the best deal, and be ready to pay in cash as most liquor stores avoid card transactions on discounted deals.

Bake Instead of Buying
If the event or gathering needs a cake, a big amount can be saved if you chose to bake stuff at home. Buying cakes from stores is always an expensive deal and they usually don't taste better and sometimes are not even fresh. You end up paying just for the frosting and the fancy decorations. Delicious cake recipes are available in cook-books and the Internet, so no need to waste money on stale cakes. You can make it better and tastier at home.

Homemade Appetizers
Liquors and appetizers go good together. The main course is obviously kept for last but appetizers like sandwiches, vegetable and chicken salads, kebabs and deviled eggs are great money saviors. All these items can be made at home without breaking the bank, and you can even use your own creativity while making these dishes by using different colored vegetables and sauces to make them more attractive.

Save Expensive Liquors
Usually a party or an event is considered incomplete without cocktails. However, cocktails usually mean the alcohol budget going overboard because every guest have their own amount and most of them come with a heavy pouring hand. The best way to ensure cost-cutting in such situations is to have cocktails ready beforehand, so that you can be saved from last minute requests of opening the bottle of your favorite and expensive liquor.

Home Dip
A large chunk of money can be saved by making dips at home rather than buying them from a store and a good start would be the basic hummus or guacamole. Dips are great accompaniments with chips, crackers, tortillas, vegetable and fruit slices. Their appearance can be improved with your own creativity and unique seasonings.

Now that you have a clear picture about some budgeted food ideas, let's have a look at some easy party recipes that are simple to make, and can make your party a tasty and filling remembrance.

Salmon Classic
Ingredients

• Pumpernickel bread, 16 slices
• Smoked salmon, 16 slices
• Horseradish cream, cup
• Dill sprigs for garnishing

Method
Decorate each pumpernickel bread with tsp horseradish cream and 1 slice salmon. Garnish this appetizer with a sprig of dill.

Super Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients

• Heavy whipping cream, cup
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (you can use up to 5 oz.), 1 cup
• Fettuccine, 1 lbs
• Salt, 1 tsp

Method
Take a pot of water and add 1 tsp of salt and heat it over on a medium flame to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook for 15 minutes. In a separate bowl add eggs, Parmesan cheese and cream and mix well. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the serving bowl and toss with Parmesan sauce until well mixed. Serve hot.

Trifle in a Martini Glass
Ingredients

• Cake cut into small even cubes, 1 pound
• Sugar, 1 cup
• Water, cup
• Vanilla pudding, 6 cups

Method
On a medium flame place a sauce pan and add espresso, water and sugar and bring it to a boil. Once boiled, remove from the flame and let it cool. Add cake cubes and pudding into six different martini glasses. Now pour the cooled espresso syrup on top of each of the glass and serve.

Green Bean Salad
Ingredients

• Thin green beans cut in two inch pieces, 2 pounds
• Diced cherry tomatoes, 1/2 pound
• Sherry vinegar, 2tbsp
• Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp
• Fresh goat cheese, 2 ounces
• Olive oil, 1/2 cup

Method
In a large saucepan filled with salty water, cook green beans for approximately 10 minutes, until they are tender, and drain them in cold water later. In a mixing bowl add olive oil, mustard, salt, vinegar and mix well. Pour this dressing on the beans and add in the tomatoes and cheese, mix well and serve.

Egg Rolls with Chicken and Pepper
Ingredients

• Large ball peppers cut into thin strips, 2
• Boneless and skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips, 1 pound
• Egg roll wrappers, 12
• Medium sliced onion, 1
• Minced garlic clove, 1
• Fresh grated ginger, 1 tsp
• Oil for frying

Method
Take a large pan and heat it over medium flame and add 2 tsp of oil. Add the chicken strips and cook them until they lose their pink color and push them to a side. Now add pepper and onion and cook for 5 minutes and then add soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Off the flame and let it cool for some time. Once the mixture is cooled, add several strips of chicken and place the heated mixture in the center of the egg roll wrap whose one side is towards you. Now fold all the four sides. Repeat this with all wrappers and heat them in skillet over medium heat with oil. Cook them until they turn brown and drain them on paper towel.

So these were just some of the party food ideas on a budget that I could think of. You can also come up and try some buffet menu ideas that could save your money, and at the same time give your guests something new that they can remember for a long time.