Making a satisfying array of small plates at home is all about putting the right pieces together. Balance hearty anchor dishes with creative nibbles and bites such as gussied up vegetables, crispy bar snacks, dressed-up cheeses, and more. This collection of recipes is achievable and low-stress, with helpful make-ahead advice and presentation tips. Instead of thinking in terms of mains and sides, we approached this collection by thinking about what each plate contributes to the whole and offer guidance and strategies for mixing and matching recipes into winning combinations. A robust introduction offers suggestions for pairings, taking ease, prep, flavor, and serving temperature into consideration. What’s the occasion, how much food should you serve, how much time do you have (make-ahead options are plentiful)?  Planning is key, which we show you how to do with our Game Plan strategies with every recipe, and a useful appendix to turn to when you need.