So you want to host a dance. or maybe you want to attend a dance and want to help the hosts out. Either way, snacks are your answer!
What makes a good savory snack for a dance party? My criteria is simple and there is a theme:
1 - I need to be able to put it down quickly, you know - when you ask me to dance.
2 - I need to be able to swallow it quickly when you ask me to dance.
3 - The snack needs to leave my hands mostly clean so that I can give you my hand when you ask me to dance.
4 - It should help both of us bop though the evening rather than cause sugar crashes so that when I ask you to dance, we have the gusto to make it though the song.
And, I admit it, it needs to be easy. I don't generally have all day to spend getting food ready for a dance.
So - easy, tidy, small bites, and nourishing. Add to that the number of food allergies that people have to live with and it becomes a daunting task. But here are a few ideas and guidelines.
First - what ever size you think a serving should be, cut it in half, maybe quarters. Full sized muffins should definitely be cut into quarters. Ideally, there will be lots to choose from, so make sure that people can take nibble, rather than a bite. Bringing Mini Quiches? Also bring a knife that will slice through them.
Next, keep it clean. If it's saucy, like Buffalo Cauliflower Wings make sure there are utensils or toothpicks handy. If you're bringing snacks to a Sapphire social, you don't have to worry. We've got the utensils and sooooo many toothpicks. And plates and bowls. But you can't always count on the host having the necessary things for your dish. So check ahead of time.
Don't hide allergens or meat products. If you want to bring Nutty Trail Mix, go for it - if the nuts are readily visable, people with nut allergies will avoid that dish. If the nuts are chopped into tiny pieces, there could be trouble. If you're bringing a cheese ball with crackers, consider skipping the chopped nut coating, and maybe include a gluten free cracker as well as the regular one. If you don't have a GF option handy (unless you have the allergy, why would you?), don't let it stop you from bringing your Cheese Ball. We will find other things to dip into it.
Here are a few ideas made from things you might even have in your kitchen right now!
Basic Meat and Cheese Tray - cut up some cheese and hard sausage, add a line of crackers and a pile of grapes or dried fruit. If you want to be fancy, add a small cup of mustard or preserves. Just remember, it's going to sit out for a while, so avoid anything that will spoil quickly.
Chips and Dip - Choose your chips, choose a dip - what could be easier? This one provides some great options for gluten free, nut free, dairy free, and vegan.
Veggies and Nut Butter - Celery, carrots, and apples all dip really well into peanut butter, cashew butter, or almond butter. (I know that apples aren't veggies, what was I going to call it? Cut up plants and PB?)
Want to do something really surprising? Bring a punch! Keep it non-alcoholic in it's basic form to accommodate a variety of preferences. A lot of dances don't allow alcohol. Even if you're attending a dance that does, let people decide how spiked they want their drink.
Warm Spinach Dip, all kinds of trail mixes, and seasoned roasted veggies, are a few more ideas.
So now we've talked about what makes a great dance snack, what will you bring to the next Sapphire social?
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While talking about dance party snacks above, we got thinking about the feast-themed Gobbler's Gala Dance Party last year where Debbi debuted her new Salsa Mixer. By her words - "there's nothing unusual in this dance, just some familiar Salsa moves and a structure with space to play." Which is exactly what we were looking for in a new mixer. If you're new to Salsa, this dance will give you the chance to practice your foundations in a fun and social way. If you're an accomplished Salsa dancer, you've got the space to add some flash! 
Hustle - Let's take winter for a Spin 
Beginner Line Dancing - No partner? No experience? No problem. 
Advanced Line Dancing - getting jiggy with it. 
Valentine's Day Special