• As the only food at a cocktail party, the appetizers need to be filling, flavorful and varied in taste and ingredients so all the guests can find at least a couple things they enjoy. In addition, the host should be able to prepare at least a few of the appetizers in advance to make the day of the party less stressful.
  
  

Cowboy Caviar

• For the cocktail party host who wants to include caviar without looking too pretentious, this Mexican-inspired dish makes a tasty appetizer. Make guacamole the day before the party by mashing avocados and mixing in minced onion, minced jalapeño pepper, salt, pepper and lime juice. Assemble the caviar bites within an hour of the party by spooning a tablespoon of guacamole, a teaspoon of sour cream and 1/4 tsp. caviar onto tortilla chips or into pre-baked miniature phyllo pastry cups.
  
  

Baked Brie

• Instead of serving cold cheeses and crackers, prepare a fancier appetizer by baking a wheel of brie with fruit topping and a pastry crust. Cut a thin pastry sheet into a circle large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the wheel of brie. Spoon up to 1/2 cup of fruit preserves or sweet fruit chutney on top of the brie. Some tasty choices include apricot preserves, mango chutney and berry preserves. Cover the top of the brie with another round of pastry, press the pastry rounds together to seal them and bake for about 40 minutes at 350 F. Let the brie cool for about an hour before serving with crackers.
  
  

Gingered Eggplant Spread

• A spread made out of Asian eggplants and ginger instead of the traditional large eggplants and middle-eastern spices makes a tasty appetizer to serve alongside bread slices. To make the spread, fry slices of Asian eggplant in olive oil and add soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, rice wine, ginger, garlic and sesame oil. Mash it all together and serve at room temperature with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. If necessary, make the spread the day before the party and refrigerate it, making sure it warms up to room temperature before serving.
  
  

Barbecued Pork Bites

• Serve a meat appetizer made with cubes of barbecued country-style pork ribs. Marinate the 3/4-inch cubes of raw pork in salt, pepper, cumin, thyme, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil for at least two hours before grilling them on skewers. To serve, remove the pork from the skewers and pierce each piece with a toothpick. Serve alongside a salsa made from ripe pineapple, onion, cilantro and chopped chipotle peppers.