Having a party doesn’t have to be panic inducing. Expert chef Kathy Gunst, author of Relax, Company’s Coming!: 150 Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining (Simon & Schuster, $25, www.amazon.com), suggests preparing a quick and easy gourmet buffet with simple, stunning snacks that’ll impress your guests and, better yet, leave you free to enjoy the party. “The beauty of this,” she says, “is that when the doorbell rings and the first guest arrives, you’re there!”

Charcuterie Platter

Sausages
3 cheeses
Caper berries
Olives
Gherkin pickles

Tip: To save time and stress, Gunst suggests picking up your favorite dips and spreads from the supermarket, then transfer them to your own serving dishes and serve with flat breads or crackers.

Recipes

Roast Beef Cocktail Sandwiches with Herb Butter

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Smoked Salmon Toasts with Crème Fraîche Sauce

Hands-On Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Steamed Green Beans with Lemon and Sesame Seeds

Hands-On Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Beet Napoleons (shown)

Hands-On Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes (including cooling time)

Chive Puree

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes