A little back story first: My mom is throwing my baby shower next weekend and had asked my MIL if she wanted to help out. MIL was super stoked since DH is an only child and hit the ground running with starting to plan food ideas. My best friend is helping out too.
MIL's mom has Alzheimer's and is in a memory impaired facility...but recently got sick and has been in the hospital until they can find a nursing home able to care for her. MIL is super stressed and told my mom this week that she won't be able to help anymore since she's so focused on getting her mom taken care of. Mom was left in a lurch b/c now she doesn't have any sort of a menu nailed down and doesn't have anyone to help her cook. My best friend doesn't cook and doesn't have the money to help buy food.
I know it's frowned upon to do stuff for your own shower, but I offered to help my mom figure out food and to help her cook. She does not want to order food. I was wondering if you ladies had any ideas for some light, summery food that would be easy to transport and serve from chafing dishes or bowls. The venue has a small kitchen, so stuff can be refrigerated. Mom really wanted to make a variety of quiches, so anything that could go along with that would be awesome. If it makes any difference, the shower is from 3-5 in the afternoon.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the help!
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Re: Food Ideas for Shower
As for food, a salad bar, fruit salad/skewers, quiches, small sandwiches, croissants/other baked goods. I know you said that they don't want to buy food, but a deli platter and a box of bakery stuff would go a long way toward making life easier for all of you.
Quiches sound so yummy! You could always do salads/pasta salads, & a fruit/veggie tray to keep it summery. Here is a link to a website I use for a lot of my go-to appetizers:
https://www.chef-in-training.com/recipes-by-category/
I love a lot of her game day appetizer recipes. There's a ton of dips and easy finger foods on there.
Good luck & I hope your shower goes great!
Ina Garten's chicken salad veronique with rolls
Ina Garten's shrimp and orzo salad
Fruit salad
Veggie tray with dip
Cake
My go to recipies for showers are :
Copycat Willowtree Chicken Salad ( I use day old cooked chicken from the super market, easy and cheap)
Ingredients
Instructions
Salted Caramel Shortbread
Recipe adapted from What's Gaby Cooking
for the shortbread layer:
10 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg yolk
1-2/3 cups flour
for the caramel:
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tsp sea salt, plus more for sprinkling on top
4 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp heavy cream
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the sides to make removal easier.
In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugar, and salt with a pastry cutter or fork. Add the egg yolk and continue mixing.
Add the flour and use your hands to combine the dough until coarse crumbs form. Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and press it down into one even layer.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Set aside to cool.
For the caramel, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, sugar, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and stir for about 5-10 minutes until caramel reaches the “soft ball stage” at around 230 degrees.
Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour caramel over the shortbread.
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, then sprinkle with sea salt and cut into squares. Store caramels in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them.
Both can be made in advance and refridgerated and they are always a hit. I also really like the idea of a salad bar with quiches.
get some avocados - make a quick guacamole dip
check the deli and buy a pound or two of tuna salad or chicken salad - finger sandwiches
Sams definitely have croissant cuz i bought a box last week!
My favorite summer dish for a party is fruit salsa. You can make it the night before. Serve it with cinnamon pita chips.
2tbs rasberry preserves
1-2 tbs sugar
2 granny smith apples
2 kiwi
package of red rasberries
package of strawberries
Peel all fruit and then I use a chopper to chop it all up, so good and great for summer.
I agree with sandwiches from Costco or Sams Club also super easy. Sorry to hear about dealing with alzheimers, such a terrible disease.
Married: August 2012
DD: 9/22/2014
We also had fruit trays and assorted dips.
Sorry to hear about your husband's grandma. My granddad has Alzheimer's and it's a sad disease.
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