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Best Finger/Party Foods from the Thai Kitchen!

Top Thai Finger Foods

By , About.com Guide

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 Surprise your friends and family with a delicious Thai appetizer or party food treat!  Your guests will be 'wowed' when they bite into these fresh and oh so flavorful finger foods - excellent whether served on their own or paired with your favorite cocktail, lager, or wine.  ENJOY! 

1. Mini Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Mini Shrimp Lettuce WrapsCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt

If you and your friends like spicy, zesty foods, try making up a platter of these Thai Shrimp Mini Lettuce Wraps! These bite-size wraps are just perfect for a party finger food. Each mini wrap provides a burst of Thai flavors that are meant to hit different parts of the palate all at once, awakening your taste-buds and sending you straight to food heaven. ENJOY!

2. Chicken Satay Party Sticks! (for the Oven OR Grill)

Beautiful Thai Chicken Satay (all dressed up for a party!), served here with peanut satay sauceD.Schmidt
Satay is always a huge hit with any crowd, as well as a special taste treat for your family. This recipe is straightforward and not hard to make, with results that will be sure to impress your guests. Here I've arranged the serving of the satay for a party, but feel free to serve it anyway you want - it's all Thai, and it's all good!

3. Thai Spring Rolls (Vegetarian, or with Shrimp)

Thai Spring RollsD.Schmidt

This spring roll recipe can be made vegetarian with tofu, or with baby shrimp if you prefer. Brimming with vegetables and lots of flavor, these spring rolls make a great appetizer or party food. And they're far fresher and healthier than the spring rolls you'll find in most restaurants. ENJOY!

4. Thai Fish Cakes

Thai Fish CakesCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 04/14/10
Thai Fish Cakes are a common street food in Thailand, and are very flavorful compared to most Western fish cake recipes. They aren't battered, which I find allows for more of the fresh taste of the fish, spices, and herbs to come through. Accompany these cakes with Thai sweet chili sauce for dipping, fresh coriander, and a squeeze of lime juice. Simply delicious! And since they are much smaller than Western-size fish cakes (more like mini cakes), they're perfect for serving at a party with drinks. ENJOY!

5. Easy Coconut Curried Mussels

Thai Curried MusselsCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 07/26/10
These Thai Mussels make a beautiful gourmet-style finger food or appetizer, and they're easy to make too! The curry sauce is created right in the pan, so you don't need to bother with curry paste or even a food processor. If your mussels are already clean and ready to go, this dish can literally be served up to your friends in just minutes. Enjoy as is, or add a loaf of crusty French bread on the side to soak up the yummy sauce.

6. Coconut Shrimp (Fried)

Thai Coconut ShrimpCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 10/11/10, About.com corp.

Imagine biting into a succulent deep-fried shrimp covered in a light tempura-like batter flavored with the taste of coconut - scrumptious! This Coconut Shrimp recipe is fantastic to serve as an appetizer, tapas plate, or party food. Excellent eaten on its own, or served with a dip (like my fresh mango salsa - see next recipe below). As a bonus, this coconut shrimp recipe includes instructions for a gluten-free version (which is just as yummy!), so no one has to miss out. ENJOY!

7. Coconut Shrimp (Baked)

Baked Coconut ShrimpCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 12/07/09
This Easy Baked Coconut Shrimp recipe is great if you're looking to make something special to serve as an appetizer or finger food, but don't want to spend too long making it. Unlike most coconut shrimp recipes which are deep-fried, this one is easily baked up in the oven, which means less fat and calories. Excellent served with Thai sweet chili sauce (available in most supermarkets), or for an extra special treat, accompany with my Easy Mango Dip. ENJOY!

8. Vegetable Platter with Thai Peanut Dip (Vegan)

Thai Peanut Sauce/DipD.Schmidt

While most Western versions of peanut sauce are made with peanut butter, this Thai peanut sauce recipe starts with real peanuts - and you'll taste the difference! At the same time, it's super easy and quick to make. This peanut sauce can be used for a variety of purposes, from a dip for veggies to a sauce for chicken or beef satay. Or use it to make a yummy cold noodle salad. A very easy and delicious peanut sauce recipe!

9. Exotic Fruit Salad

Exotic Fruit SaladD.Schmidt
This beautiful fruit salad is like a lighter form of fruit cocktail - just a tad creamy, but still allowing the exquisite taste of the fruit to come shining through. It's made with a mouth-watering assortment of tropical and local fruit for the most divine fruit salad ever. Great for everyday eating as well as serving company (see my party tips!).

10. Thai-style Egg Rolls (Vegetarian)

Thai Egg RollsD.Schmidt

This egg roll recipe is crunchy-munchy delicious and super-easy to make! The egg roll filling is made up of lots of crisp vegetables plus a little egg, making this recipe a great choice for vegetarian Thai food fans (vegan instructions also included). Get your friends or family to help with rolling them up - it's fun to do. But even if you're making them solo, you'll find these egg rolls quick and easy to make. Excellent as an appetizer or as part of a complete meal - just pair with a Thai salad or noodle dish. ENJOY!

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