One can never go wrong with an antipasto platter as it covers all of the bases.

Mini-Pigs in a Blanket using Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and split Vienna Sausage or hot dogs with a slice of Cheddar Cheese inside works for us.

Various dipping sauces (i.e. Barbeque, Teriyaki etc.) can add unique nuances of flavor.

Another appetizer option are those Jeno's Pizza Rolls. We serve them all the time and the prep is minimal.

Since cheese is not part of a traditional Asian diet, we are not familiar with the many varieties.

It is my understanding that so-called processed cheeses like American and Velveeta are not true cheeses but very popular among Americans.

Jessica...American Cheese and Velveeta might be the only true 'American' cheeses though they are not made in the traditional manner.

Most of our popular cheeses originated from European countries (England, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Norway).

Like beer, these cheeses were introduced to America by immigrants who were very adept at the fermentation process and dairy production.

Actually, there are a lot of American cheeses now. New styles created by artisan producers such as Mt Tam by Cowgirl Creamery and Humboldt Fog by Cypress Grove.

@Laura Stec...perhaps but these new American artisan cheeses have not gone mainstream like the aforementioned European originals.

I would imagine that they are best suited at present for upscale wine & cheese parties.

We will probably not be seeing them on a basic cheeseburger anytime soon unless it involves a $50.00 'artisan' cheeseburger with an esoteric menu description.

American Cheese and Velveeta are only good for mediocre grilled cheese sandwiches or as a melted pouring sauce over mediocre nachos.

Other than that, they serve no culinary purpose.

When it comes to cheese platters, I try to keep things simple...a few assorted medium textured cheeses, a couple of spreadable ones, some assorted seedless grapes + red/white wines and some sparklers (champagne).

Any suggestions on the crackers and bread? I generally run with a sliced sourdough baguette or those thinly sliced mini-loaves of pumpernickel and rye,
and some Ritz Crackers.

One bread item I refuse to serve are those horrid puffed rice cakes which offer no nutritional value and resemble styrofoam.

Do people actually eat puffed rice cakes?

• Since cheese is not part of a traditional Asian diet, we are not familiar with the many varieties.

What better reason not to try as many foreign & domestic cheeses as you can given that cheese is a key part of the American culture and diet.

Eating raw fish is not a traditional part of the American or Jewish diet but after sampling a California Roll decades ago, I have since moved on to enjoying a variety of different raw tunas and striped bass.

Fusion technique is the modern-day excuse/explanation for a number of hybrid dishes that contain elements of different cultures.

Maybe try a cream cheese/crabmeat sushi roll as your first foray.

Incorporating stronger cheeses like Limburger and Roquefort can come later as your olfactory senses further evolve.

@Teresa, Here's a macrobiotic tip to greatly improve those rice cakes. Out of the package they are cardboard, I agree. So rescue them in the oven! Roast on a baking sheet for 5 - 10 minutes at 350F. They crisp up and become really good. For a topper, spread on a mix of roasted winter squash and almond butter for a delicious, veggie-forward breakfast.

Hawaiians have something called musabi. It is a form of sushi with seasoned rice and nori (seaweed) except that they put a teriyaki-glazed slice of SPAM in the middle. It's actually pretty good.

I make a variation at home using Honey Baked Ham or lightly smoked slab bacon as regular hickory-smoked bacon can be a bit overpowering.

Smoked salmon also works well.

As for the wine-cheese thing, some Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (red label) along with Ritz Crackers and Barefoot Chardonnay and Merlot usually suffices as there is no need for me to put on any airs.

I also like to include chilled wedges of Fuji Apples and I keep them in a container of iced water to prevent them from browning.

@Riley, I was at a conference where a speaker asked, "Guess what state buys the most Spam?" A: Hawaii!