Need ideas! Wedding shower food/meal

[blkelly]

Hi! I'm new here and could use some help...

I'm hosting a co-ed bridal shower for my sister in law. It will be early on a Sunday afternoon and will serve as a meal for most. We want something substantial since there will be guys there - and thought about grilling - but I likely won't have a place at a table for everyone so something that requires a knife to cut probably won't work. Doesn't have to be grilled, and definitely something nicer than burgers and brats... And/or something italian (bride's family)??

Other considerations are that there will be as many as 40 people there, so nothing too pricey, and something where most of the work can be done ahead would be best (I have 2 boys under 2!).

Thanks for any help! I am having mind block!
Bethany

[ramson]

Some sort of skewerd meat - kababs, satay etc. should work for on the grill but not needing a knife.

[Wendi]

welcome... how 'bout lasagna... completely do-ahead...italian...substantial enough for the guys...and yummmy for all.

lasagna
salad
bread

done!

wendi

[Puppylove]

Are you set on cooking? I'm a big fan of costco's hay rollers and/or sandwhich platters. Often that is cheaper than most grilling options. But if you really want to grill I'd go with kabobs. Or you could grill carne asada/chicken and have a taco bar.

[mundy]

I did a rehearsal dinner the evening before my son's wedding last weekend for about 40 people. I decided against grilling because its so much work in that quantity. I like the lasagne idea, you could even go with one 'white lasagne' with spinach, chicken and a bechamel sauce in addition to one with marinara and beef. You'll need several pans of it anyway.

I did a taco bar with pork carnitas, roasted red peppers, carmelized onions, roasted zucchini. I also served a chicken casserole, black bean and corn salad and sweet corn tomalito(like ChiChi's corn cakes) Everyone enjoyed it and it was make ahead enough that I could enjoy the party too. ( I did have help for serving and clean-up) Whatever you do, keep it simple enough that you can enjoy the occasion too!

[raka1214]

If you are definite on cooking/grilling do the kebobs or taco bar as suggested. I hosted a bridal shower earlier this summer that was early afternoon so it needed to be substantial food-wise and we just had different sandwich bars set up with deli platters, bowls full of chicken salad, pimento cheese (the bride's favorite), different breads, even mini-meatballs and mini-hoagie rolls. It was a hit.

[blkelly]

Thanks! I really like the taco bar idea, and I'm sure lasagna would be a hit too. I'll have to pass it by the other hostesses and see what they think.

If anyone else has ideas, keep 'em coming!!!
Bethany

[Kristilyn1]

well, isn't it against the law to have a shower and NOT have meatballs or some sort of cocktail weinie/kielbasa thing in sauce? LOL. They are certainly not exciting, but always enjoyed by all.

I agree that grilling could get tricky for that many all at once and makes it so someone has to man the grill for a period of time....unless you do something that can be served at room temp. I have a recipe I've used for jerk chicken kebabs and I make them cocktail size. You serve them with blackberry preserves and they taste fine room temp. Maybe some other recipes out there as well?

How about veggie/meat won ton type things? Mini quiches? Or full size quiches? Salads are always good, but maybe predictable. Will the weather be conducive to stew, chili or soup?

I always try to get fancy with entertaining but with the broad range of ages to be typically found at a shower, I've found that people really want the tried and true....though it's boring. Lasagna, I agree is usually a good choice.

Kristi

[funniegrrl]

Don't know where you are located, but in the South pulled pork barbeque and fixin's are popular for feeding crowds when you don't want to cook. Most BBQ places cater -- either bringing it to you or you can pick it up. You can use their sides, make your own, or do a combo. Hamburger buns to make sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans are the usual accompaniments but it can be anything, really.

[RebelYell18]

I made CL's Fiery Chipotle Baked Beans for a baby shower that I hosted. It went over very well and is quick to make and makes a large batch.