The Perfect Appetizer: A 10 Minute Party Platter for Labor Day BBQ's

Let’s be honest, I don’t have a long history of being very good at putting together parties. For real, I forget things and fumble at the last second to pull stuff together. And I’m cooking right up until we eat…it’s seriously a problem. So, I’m trying to be more proactive for Labor Day. I just want to enjoy being with my guests and pulling together the party more efficiently is my new goal for this coming party-season. I’m starting with The Perfect Appetizer: A 10 Minute Party Platter. Seriously. I was able to pull this puppy together in 10 minutes, and it will just be ready–no hassle, while I relax.

For reals, I think the “party planning” heroes of pinterest are doing something crazy with their time–like maybe hiring a team of people to help them craft that crazy-pretty table and all the fantastic food. For me, frugal, fun and simple is best. That’s where this 10 Minute Party Platter comes-in. I love party platters and they don’t have to be hard–despite how difficult they might look…And this one? So. Stinkin. Simple. LOL!

What You Need for The Perfect Appetizer: A 10 Minute Party Platter

Itty-Bitty Cucumbers
Itty-Bitty Pickles
Baby Carrots
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Chips
Some Random Artisan Bread
Other chips, for color
Olives
Other Olives (because olives are yummy)
Pretzels (mmm…)
Ooooh, Cherry Tomatoes
Pickled Okra (because my husband is obsessed with it, YUCK!)
Bell Pepper
Sugar Snap Peas
AND–the hero: Chobani Meze Dip

This Chobani Meze dip is so awesome, y’all. They’ve got 80% less fat AND 65% fewer calories than the leading hummus dips, are made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients, AND they’re yogurt-based. How yummy?! I mean, I used to like a good dip, don’t get me wrong, but now I really LOVE a good Chobani Meze dip. All sorts of creamy-goodness flavors, too, some that are a little spicy and some that are just plain awesome. You can get it at Walmart, Target or Miejir to try at your Labor Day (or any day) party…(hint: it’s in the deli section…)

How to Put Together The Perfect Appetizer: A 10 Minute Party Platter

Ok, so you’ll notice that there’s only like 4 things that have to be sliced or cut or whatever for this platter. Everything else is just a “take it out of the jar or bag” kind of thing. Which, you can even buy pre-sliced stuff, but, I’ll be honest, that’s where my frugality draws a line for me. LOL!

Cut the bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.
Pull everything else out of packages/containers.
Set everything on a gigantic platter.
Nestle the yummilicious Chobani Meze Dip in amongst some of the things just begging to be dipped…aaaand…
Serve.

Yeah, that easy. Honestly, the longest amount of time I spent was opening the packages, I think. And, to think, I used to cut up stuff for like a half-hour for a much smaller, much less cool, party platter! LOL! So, what do you think? Is there anything else you’d add to the The Perfect Appetizer: A 10 Minute Party Platter? Just drop me a line in the comments below–I’d love some additional ideas! LOL!