This Trader Joe's Canned Good Is My Favorite Appetizer to Bring to Parties — and It Requires No Prep

When you're throwing a party, the key to enjoying yourself while being the host is all about the prep. Having friends and family over for a get together, even if it's only a few people, can be quite a bit of work. So pulling anything together in advance is always the best way to go. That way you don't spend the majority of your time tending to meal prep rather than actually spending time with your guests.

And that's where one of my favorite Trader Joe's offerings comes in handy. The canned dolmas are surprisingly delicious and are packed 10 to a can, so a few cans are plenty to set up a nice spread. Dolmas are a Middle Eastern dish of grape leaves stuffed with rice or quinoa. The ones at Trader Joe's are made with rice and canned with olive oil.

When I first bought these I worried that they might fall apart, but I was really impressed with how they held up over the course of a small party. The grape leaves maintain their texture without being too tough and the rice is a nice al dente texture. They've become a staple in my home for the past few years — party or no party.

There's no need to hover over the oven or worry about anything cooking too long, as these can come right out of the can and be arranged right on the platter, no fuss needed. I like to upgrade the dolmas a bit and serve with some homemade tzatziki, which is also incredibly easy and can be made in advance. For a bit of crunch, serve them with pita chips, which also go nicely with the tzatziki. You can also garnish with some cut lemon wedges for an added touch of flavor and a nicer presentation, or simply add some parsley. But you don't need to add anything; they stand out well enough on their own as a simple, yet delicious, appetizer for your guests.

These dolmas are both gluten free and vegan, so are a great accompaniment to your spread if you have friends with dietary restrictions. And after your party, if you have a few leftover, the dolmas work great as a topping for a Greek salad, making it hearty enough to serve as a meal. However you use them, they're a delicious, easy snack to keep on hand with a long shelf live to boot.