Hors d’oeuvres, which is French for “apart from the main work,” are small portions of food served before a meal. They can either be passed on platters or laid out on a table and are common fare at receptions and cocktail parties. While some people think that hors d’oeuvres are, by definition, extremely fancy and hard to prepare, there are a variety of pre-meal food items that are easy and fun.

The next time you have a friend or two over for dinner, impress them with a few platters of hors d’oeuvres. You can take any variation on them, but the most common types of starter foods are:

• Crudités – French dish of sliced, raw vegetables and dipping sauce

• Bruschetta – Italian grilled bread topped with a variety of meats and vegetables, most commonly olive oil, chopped tomatoes, garlic, and prosciutto

• Cheese – cubed cheese or entire cheese wedges are popular hors d’oeuvres, especially if the cheese complements the meal to come. For instance, serve Gouda before a Dutch meal.

• Deviled eggs – perhaps the oldest hors d’oeuvres, said to have originated in ancient Rome, modern variations are popular, such as the Mexican version of topping the egg filling with honey and a slice of jalapeno.

Creating wonderful hors d’oeuvres in your Alachua apartment is easy thanks to a spacious kitchen, a glass-top stove, and ample pantry space. For more information on the other benefits of living in the One 51 Place apartment community, contact our leasing office today.