Baptism Menu Ideas

SouthFloridaMommy

We are having DD baptized in 2 weeks and are inviting everyone over for a small reception after the baptism.  My MIL is driving me crazy over the menu for this event.  I have no idea what to serve.  I thought about getting it catered by a local restaurant, but there will be no one to pick up the food and set it up before everyone arrives (I'm assuming we will probably stay after the ceremony and take a few pictures like we did for DD1, which might put us home later than our guests). 

For DD1's baptism we had deli trays - meats, cheeses, rolls - and cake.  When we got back from the baptism we just took them out and they were ready to go.  I thought about doing that again, but MIL seems to think that is not enough.  She wants to do lasagna trays that you have to cook, but they take forever.  Well over an hour. 

We will have roughly 25-30 people.  Any ideas on food that can be ready quickly or another idea I'm missing?

g00dg0llymsm0lly

I think deli sandwiches are perfect. They don't need to be heated, can be made in advance, and everyone seems to like them.

But if you really want to please your MIL, why not order the lasagna pasta from Pizza Hut? It really IS good, and all the prep work is done for you. Win-win.

QuiltinMama

If you have them near you, Jason's Deli was perfect for DD's baptism.  I ordered online a week ahead, and scheduled it to be delivered about 1/2 hour after Mass was over since I figured we would stay a bit later.  The delivery guy called as we were pulling out of the church parking lot saying he was at our house already.  He didn't mind waiting, and set everything up when we got home while we got DD changed & such.  It was about $150 for 15 people - mini sandwiches & wraps, fruits, veggies & chips.  Forget what MIL says, easy trumps fancy now!!  I totally plan on using Jason's Deli again for catering!

 

1ht

PAmiler82

We had brunch for about 25 for Drew's baptism (we did brunch for Lizzy too, but it was about 15 people).   I absolutely love brunch and think it's a super easy meal.  We had a couple of casseroles (egg and potato), lots of pastries and baked goods, a big bowl of yummy fruit salad, and home made waffles.  I set the oven to kick on and warm the casseroles while we were at church (they had been made the night before) and then I just pulled them out when we got back.  The fruit salad was also made the night before, my mom brought the baked goods, and DH whipped up the waffle batter and made the waffles (only took a few minutes each and he loved playing chef).

Ultimately, if you want to do deli trays again, why not?  Just tell MIL your concerns and that you really just want to take it easy and enjoy the day w/o worrying about the food.

 

KERJF

we grilled burgers and brats and had a few salads, fruit and veggie trays. It was perfect and grilling takes so little time to do if everything is set and ready to go.

weddingcaketaster

for DD's baptism, we are ordering from a "fancy" pizza place...the pizzas are gourmet like white pizza with roasted red peppers and asiago cheese, meatball with ricotta and sundried tomatoes...that sort of thing.  Can you call a local pizza place and just order for delivery? We have the pizzas, a salad and breadsticks. 

shellpep3

SouthFloridaMommy:

We are having DD baptized in 2 weeks and are inviting everyone over for a small reception after the baptism.  My MIL is driving me crazy over the menu for this event.  I have no idea what to serve.  I thought about getting it catered by a local restaurant, but there will be no one to pick up the food and set it up before everyone arrives (I'm assuming we will probably stay after the ceremony and take a few pictures like we did for DD1, which might put us home later than our guests). 

For DD1's baptism we had deli trays - meats, cheeses, rolls - and cake.  When we got back from the baptism we just took them out and they were ready to go.  I thought about doing that again, but MIL seems to think that is not enough.  She wants to do lasagna trays that you have to cook, but they take forever.  Well over an hour. 

We will have roughly 25-30 people.  Any ideas on food that can be ready quickly or another idea I'm missing?

 Wow! I could have wrote this!  Same thing happened to me, MIL is always so concerned over food.  Basically we got tired of arguing with her so my husband said that if they wanted lasagna then they could bring it, and they did! (They cooked it the night before so all we had to do was warm it  up.)  Good Luck! 

2ktBride

I just had my LO dedicated at church this past Sunday and had the same issue.  I ended up picking up some catered items the night before and then just displaying them once we got home from church.  I informed the restaurant that I wasn't served the items until the next morning and they helped me to select appropriate items and packaged everything easily for me to re-platter.  Everything that I served was light, yet filling since it's summer (and we live in hot, hot, hot Arizona!).  I would advice against lasagna because that's a very heavy, warm meal that is not really appropriate for the summertime.  We had 20ppl at our house.  Here's what I served... (MIL provided the cake and desserts)

Make-Your-Own Chicken Pita Platter

Spring Pasta with Chicken and Lemon Vinaigrette

Falafel Platter

Cheese & Fruit Platter

Cream Cheese & Jalapeno Jelly Spread

Green Garden Salad

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

Blue Cheese and Dates Wrapped with Turkey Bacon

jerol

For one baptism we did brunch at the house- bagels w/ cream cheese, egg and sausage casseroles, fruit, and a salad I think.

 For the second, I did a breakfast at a greek diner near our house....breakfast is generally cheap there so it didn't cost much at all.  I did an abbreviated menu of their menu. 

6fsn

First I think deli trays would be perfectly fine.

For #1 I had a spiral ham, potato casserole, carrots, tortellini pasta salad, and deviled eggs.  I cooked and cut down the ham the night before then on the day of put things in the oven while we were at church.

For #2 I was looking into carryout type options from the grocery stores.  Sadly in BFE my options were limitied to lasagna and fried chicken.  Neither seemed appropriate, but I could just pick it up already hot and ready. 

Then I started calling caterers to have them do the main and deliver it and I would just do all of the sides.  Turned out to be cheaper to just have them do everything.

Other options might be anything you could do in a crockpot.  Pulled pork, Italian beef, taco stuff.  Make it the night before and set to warm that day.

Spin313

We had a small brunch: bagels, fruit salad, juices, coffee, and the cake. People pleaser and super simple!

SouthFloridaMommy

Thanks everyone - I appreciate all the suggestions!  I had never thought to call a restuarant and ask them what might heat up the best or maybe even ask for delivery.  BBQ isn't a bad idea either, DH likes this suggestion best, but I'm worried about time there (heating up the grill, getting everything cooked and on to plates).  During DD1's baptism reception I can't tell you how many people just popped in for 30-45 minutes so that is why time is a concern for me.  Thanks again!

mesmom2011

Everyone loves my crockpot lasagna ( https://www.oprah.com/food/Crock-Pot-Lasagna-Recipe ).  It is easy and you don't have to cook the noodles.  You could get it ready the night before and then put it on before you go. 

SouthFloridaMommy

mullenem:

KERJF:

we grilled burgers and brats and had a few salads, fruit and veggie trays. It was perfect and grilling takes so little time to do if everything is set and ready to go.

This is basically what we did.  We got home and had turkey and salmon burgers ready to go on the grill and I just took out the watermelon, pasta salad, and potato salad I had made the day before.  For dessert, we just got some vanilla ice cream and a bunch of toppings (chopped reeses, peanuts, dark chocolate covered almonds, caramel, hot fudge, and whipped cream) and made our own sundaes, which was a HUGE hit.  We fed about 20 people.

Make your own sundaes sounds like a great idea!  There are going to be several kids there and I'm sure they would love that - along with the adults of course.