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TTC After a Loss
Menu help - Trying to fake hostess with the mostess skills
Saturday 3 of DH's work friends and spouses are coming over (I don't know them well at all). It's a very, very casual thing. I asked him, "So what are we doing?" Him, "I don't know.. just hang out or whatever."
Invited to come at 6 pm so I don't think I could get away with just snacks. I'm debating between a meal (which I hate cause what if one person doesn't like onions or is allergic to corn, etc.) or a bunch of heavy appetizers - almost a tapas-type approach.
I need idiot-proof ideas that make me look like a freaking domestic goddess. Would REALLY prefer no meat options since I grew up a vegetarian and suck at cooking meat.
I'm debating (and certainly not above) hitting Costco or the gourmet grocery store and hiding the evidence.
HELP!!! (I'm looking at you Kona and mlmtgg!!!)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Menu help - Trying to fake hostess with the mostess skills
Two of my go-to heavy appetizers are:
Caprese salad (easy to make; I use halved grape tomatoes b/c they're better this time of year and the little mozzarella balls).
Stuffed grape leaves. If you have a greek place nearby you can pick them up there, or costco probably has them. Then I either buy or make some tzatziki sauce on the side.
I love the idea of Tapas, that's usually what I do when we have people over. All my recipes have meat, but Costco is the place to go. Also if you wanted to make semi-homemade things I'd check out Food Network.com and look up Sandra Lee. Every time I come across her things they always look yummy and easy.
Oh I love party planning!! we love to entertain but I am very lucky since DH does the cooking. but I do help with certain dishes when having a party. So there will be 8 people totally?
If you don't know them that well I would definitely suggest a buffet/tapas style dinner party. do you want a specific theme (mexican, Italian, etc?) or just a mix of different items?
If you have a Trader Joe's hit their cheese section up. Great selection and not expensive. I think cheese display with about 4 different choices is a must!
Here a few suggestions - I have the recipes (at home so I can send later) so let me know if any of these sound good:
Hummus
Guacamole
Artichoke bruchetta
Black bean dip (I get rave reviews with this)
Maybe you could serve sangria? just wine?
GL - and let me know if you need any of these recipes!
OH - I highly recommend the Vodka Cake recipe I posted a couple of weeks ago. It is to die for and everyone will LOVE it. and it is super easy.
Just an idea...
I went to a party once and they had a make your own mini pizza station. They had bagels, english muffins and pita bread and then a bunch of bowls of sauce choices - regular tomato sauce, pesto, salsa, white sauce, then a TON of toppings and cheeses to choose from. They had 2 toaster ovens set up and you kinda did the cooking for yourself and I thought it was such a clever idea.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!
April 2011 CP @ 5 weeks
I think the idea of appetizers is a great one! I have lots of ideas for you. Do you have a Trader Joes near by? They have great cheeses and quite a few frozen apps (we like the goat cheese and carmelized onion thingys)
1) Assorted cheese and fruit platter - you can never go wrong with this. Three assorted cheeses like Brie, Manchego, and Chevre (or whatever you like). Put on a platter arranged with crackers, grapes, sliced apples - whatever you like. You could even toss in a few bowls of assorted olives and nuts (marcona almonds yum!).
2) Homemade white bean dip or store bought humus with pita chips and veggies for dipping. This is easy and a staple in my house. I also love making the pita chips - delicious! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/white-bean-dip-with-pita-chips-recipe/index.html
3) stuffed mushrooms are always a hit. I haven't tried this, but it looks really good. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/tuscan-mushrooms-recipe/index.html
4) Caprese salad so easy to make on little skewers and looks cool! Mini mozzarella balls (usually in water and sometimes marinated), grape tomatos, basil. Make a little skewer of them, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, season with a bit of salt and pepper. These will go fast.
5) Puff pastry wheels with sundried tomatoes and pesto. I haven't tried these, but they look good
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/puff-pastry-pinwheels-filled-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-pesto-recipe/index.html
6) I almost always do some sort of green salad on the side. But that isn't needed.
I would serve all of this with some sparlking waters and a few bottles of wine. Viola you will be the star of the show! If you want something else, I can work on that too. I love to entertain!
ETA: I agree, stuffed grape leaves are great too!
Recipes please!!!
I'm going back and forth between Italian-ish and Mexican-ish so, depending on what I go with, one of these will work perfectly.
And good call on Trader Joe's. There's one right around the corner from me.
I will send tonight when I get home!
I effing love Trader Joe's!
Pesto Chicken. It is soooo simple!
Chicken boobs
pesto
mozzarella cheese (shredded)
bruschetta
Cut the chicken boobs open and fill with pesto. Top with the bruschetta and cheese. Back for 35 min @ 375.
MMMM so good!
Also, go to wegmans and get some of their prepared meals. Always easy and simple.
-Tortilla roll-ups (they come in a box at Costco in the frozen section, and it has three types, 1 of which is veg.)
-Veggie Tray (Costco)
-Chips and Salsa ( or dip)
-Ham roll ups (get the cheap, rectangular size sandwich ham at the grocery store, mix 8oz cream cheese with a 1/3 cup cherry peserves and 1/3 c finely chopped walnuts; mix the cheese, cherries and nuts together, the spread on a piece of ham. Roll up the ham, refrigerate for 30 mins, and then cut into bite size pieces and stick a toothpick in them) similar to this: https://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Ham-Cream-Cheese-Roll-Ups-12508
-Get some soup at costco (the king crab corn chowder is agood one), throw in a crock pot, and then serve with hawaiian rolls.
-For dessert, this is my go-to recipe whenever I do potluck. Everybody loves it! https://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Cream-Cheese-Bars-178756
Except, I use a 13x9 glass pan, 3 rolls of dough, and for the filling: 2-8oz cream cheese, 3 eggs, 1/2c sugar, 1tbsp vanilla, 1tsp salt
BFP #3 via cancelled IUI ~ C (2lb 3oz; HELLP) 5/16/11
BFP #4 via the natural (free!) way ~ E (8lb 11oz) 9/13/12
The salad goes well with the chicken I suggested and Wegman's has the rest in their Mediterranean Bar.
I would make two or three VERY easy things and buy the rest at Costco.
One of my favorites is to slice zucchini lengthwise and grill, then mix cream cheese with your favorite herbs, spread on grilled zucchini and roll them up. They're sooooo tasty!
I've also made a black bean salsa and filled those Tostidos scoops with the salsa and topp with shredded cheese and a little dollop of sour cream.
Buy premarinaded chicken breasts, slice them into strips, skewer and grill. Serve with a jarred dipping sauce. Trader Joe's has a peanut satay dip that is excellent!
I wish I lived closer I would come help you, I love to cook and entertain. I would do a bunch of appetizers. Right now I am all about the pioneer woman and her recipes. Here is a link to her appetizers
https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/category/appetizers/
I have recently done the phyllo mushroom and cheese puffs and they were amazing.
Jenn
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I agree about this cake! It kicks A$$!
One of my favorite apps that wins them every time --
A brick of cream cheese
a jar of rasberry or mango pepper jelly (as hot as you want it)
serve with wheat thins.....
I have never had this one go wrong.....