Party help

[Luv to Cook]

Hi Everyone,

I need help with a party that DH and I will be having in mid-March. DH and his partner are having a party for some people that have done some work for them, which resulted in them winning some sort of contest at a convention. So this is in essence, a thank you party. I will be doing all of the food and drinks for the party. Here are the criteria:

1. There will be about 20 people.
2. It will not be at my home, so I will have to transport everything.
3. Would want as many things that serve well at room temperature since I hate to be warming everything up last minute when it is not at my home.
4. Will need some munchies, apps, easy main dish, and desserts.
5. I have about 200 dollars to spend of their money. I can go over, but then it would be out of my pocket.

I was thinking of going along the Barefoot Contessa route and having a big ham and serving it with roles and mustard. Perhaps, having different spiced nuts. I need some sort of appetizers...I guess a few hot, but majority room temp. And a dessert tray.

Any ideas for me?

Thanks.
Anita

[Xtina_in_WI]

For those types of things, I always make Spinach Dip in a bread bowl, and serve crudites/hearty crackers w/ it. I'ts really easy and always a big hit. Let me know if you'd like me to post.

I think the ham idea sounds great, too. :)

[KelLeg]

Ham was the first thing that came to my mind as an entree too. Most people really like this. I would definitely do some type of veggies/dip. That way, there is a healthy "side" to the ham. If you can, grilling a bunch of veggies would be great. Then, serve a dip with them. A great old CL app recipe is Belgian endive with walnuts and oranges (not sure if this is the correct name). It looks really pretty and could be made ahead. Some type of bruschetta would be good too. Also, the CL antipasto salsa is really good, you can serve this with pita chips. I always love chips and salsa and guacamole too, or some type of nine layer dip is a good one (I make mine with refried beans on base, then sour cream, salsa, lettuce, red peppers, olives, cheese, avocadoes). I don't heat mine.

Those are some ideas...are you doing desserts too?

What are the drinks?? Alcohol? One thing that is kind of fun, though, I'm not sure if this is the right group for it, but it is fun to make a batch of some fun drink that everyone can try. Ideas are sangria, mojitos, a specialty martini, etc. Might be better for a group of friends, though...

[KelLeg]

I wanted to add that my new favorite appetizer is an mango chutney/cream cheese concoction. People LOVE it! I gave details in another thread, but would be happy to post the recipe if you want it. It also has pecans and coconut and curry. Sounds weird...tastes awesome.

Also, I just noticed you live in Charlottesville. My DH is a HUGE UVA fan and has season tickets to the football games. That is a beautiful school/town.

[Chelle D]

The gorganzola fruit torta makes a nice presentation, travels well, and people usually love it.

[momqat]

Ham was the first thing that came to my mind as an entree too. Most people really like this.

Just a thought:
Unless you know all the people who will be attending, I would first check to make sure that there are no vegetarians or non-Christian people who would not be able to eat ham, or at least make at least one other "main dish" available.

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for all the tips...please keep them coming.

I did also want to add that I am utilizing this opportunity to try and start getting my pastry business of the ground, so desserts will definitley be a big part of the plan.

I love the idea of a ham...but thanks for the tip momqat. I don't think that there will be any vegetarians or those who do not eat pork, but I will have to double check with DH. Perhaps I can do a savory torte.

With the ham though...perhaps brioche and a yummy mustard? Would I do some cheese? Major grey chutney? Make my own brioche??? I have a great recipe, but I like brioche to be very fresh and I am not sure I would have enough time right before to make it. Buy it??? From where can you get good brioche?

KelLeg, thanks for the reminder of beligian endive...I like the CL recipe with goat cheese and walnuts with balsamic vinegar. I think I will do that since it holds up so well and looks fabulous. BTW, we love Charlottesville. DH went to business school here and we loved it so much that we had to find a way to stay...hence DH starting a company here. Is you DH an alum?

I also like the idea of doing some skewers. Any recommendations on that? Nothing grilled, since I am not sure how accesible that would be. Perhaps tortellini, with fresh mozz, and tomatoes, with fresh basil leaves threaded on??? How far in advance could I make something like that, without the basil turning black?

I also love the idea of a signature drink...we did that for our last two get togethers...sangria's for our paella night, and pomegranate cocktails for valentine's party. What would go well with the ham?

Love the ideas...please keep them coming!!!

Anita

[KelLeg]

Anita, for the skewers, I would look into chicken satay (chicken with peanut sauce). That would be tasty and can be served cold. Not sure what drink to suggest. Maybe you should get on allrecipes.com and look up cocktails. Maybe something with pineapple??

DH isn't an alum, but his dad is.

[jabelt]

Since you mentioned barefoot contessa, how about her recipe for orzo with roasted vegetables. Serves great at room temperature.

[badunnin]

Anita - what night of the week will it be on?

[emptyspool]

We have a radio food talk show here everyday and the host always says for some reason finger sandwiches are the first thing to go. I tested his theory at an event I had to coordinate last year and he was right. I asked parents to contribute and one parent brought a try of mini muffeletta's. They were beautiful and delicious. You might have a tray of egg salad sandwiches or pimento cheese sandwiches for a meatless alternative.

Mini Muffalettas

Small good sour dough or crusty Italian rolls sliced in half, then layer

spoonful of olive salad
thin slice ham
thin slice mortadella
thin slice genoa salami
thin slice provolone cheese

Garnish tray with pepperoncini

[gertdog]

Originally posted by Luv to Cook



I also like the idea of doing some skewers. Any recommendations on that? Nothing grilled, since I am not sure how accesible that would be. Perhaps tortellini, with fresh mozz, and tomatoes, with fresh basil leaves threaded on??? How far in advance could I make something like that, without the basil turning black?


I often make something like this- tortellini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella or provolone, etc. If you make them in advance but don't toss them in any dressing, and the basil was very fresh to begin with, you could make them in the AM and serve in the evening w/o any problems. An alternative is to thread a baby spinach leaf on each skewer for color- they will stay green/crisp longer- and get the basil flavor from the dressing/dip. I make a basic vinaigrette using olive oil and white wine vinegar, then whisk in some prepared pesto.

[HUNGRY!]

For dessert, you could do a big cookie tray- that way you could showcase a few different things. Or you could do fancy cupcakes. People seem to be getting back into cupcakes these days.

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for all the suggestions...Bethany, the party is on a Saturday nite.

KelLeg, I thought about chicken skewers but I like them grilled and I hate how the wooden skewers get all burnt. Any tricks for that? I have tried the soaking method, but it never seems to work for me. Also, are they really okay at room temp?

The pasta salad idea is good, but I am thinking people will be milling about and finger foods would be easiest??? I don't know though...I am having it at DH's partners house and his wife said she has service for 20, so we will have real utensils, so that could work.

Gertdog, thanks for the spinach idea. I might try that. Or I guess I could marinate everything all day and then at the last minute skewer them with the basil leaves.

Emptyspool, I love that mini muffaletta idea. Since I will probably do a ham, perhaps I can do something like that but vegetarian.

I will probably do a large dessert spread. Right now, thinking all miniatures...perhaps mini eclairs, frangipane tartlets, maybe mini ganache cakes. Any other ideas?

Still need more ideas on drinks and other fillers...nuts around the room??? a brie??? perhaps a mezze platter with hummus, pita, olives, baba ghanoush, some pepper jelly, and some manchego??? Would that go well with the ham?


Keep em coming!!!

Thanks!
Anita

[KirstenL]

Originally posted by Luv to Cook
KelLeg, I thought about chicken skewers but I like them grilled and I hate how the wooden skewers get all burnt. Any tricks for that? I have tried the soaking method, but it never seems to work for me.

We have a show here called "License to Grill," where the host, Rob Rainford (sp?), has a trick for avoiding burnt skewers. In addition to soaking the skewers in advance, he also put a piece of foil on the grill underneath the ends of the skewers. Does that make sense? So only the food is exposed to the heat and flames; the foil protects the exposed ends of the skewers.

[jphilg]

Originally posted by Luv to Cook
I also love the idea of a signature drink...we did that for our last two get togethers...sangria's for our paella night, and pomegranate cocktails for valentine's party. What would go well with the ham?

Love the ideas...please keep them coming!!!

Anita [/B]

I think that juleps would be just the thing, but since they are mostly bourbon, and one must not skimp on quality bourbon :D , I think they'd break the budget. I would do some sort of punchy thing, either sangria again, or a planter's punch, or something like that. Mixed drinks for 20 are really tough on 200 dollars.

[cooknmom38]

How about pineapple or apple martinis for drinks??

MAybe some sort of rom temp salad like a variation of a cous cous salad? There are so many variations that you can come up with. a curry mediterranean with onions, and raisins and baby tomatoes,toasted slivered almonds or a black olive pine nut, fresh herbs?, or how about a wild rice salad with sundried cherries or cranberries, and fresh herbs, little pieces of pineapple? I know that Whole Foods makes a really good rice salad called Forbidden Rice Salad. Its good!

definetely some sort of green salad.Also, maybe if you are doing the ham put out a gourmet selection of different mustards, like a grainy, a meyer lemon, a horseradish, a champagne, etc...


There is a funky devilled egg recipe in the new March CL magazine that might be good to try out. Dow about dates and figs stuffed with goat cheese, and cracked black pepper? or just a cool varietal cheese board with different types of breads like black olive bread, black pepper bread, raisin walnut bread, a 7 or 9 grain bread, fresh toasted pita chips and home made cheese straws or something like that? I know that the "Martha Stewart Horsdoeuvres Handbook" has a TON of recipes and ideas in it. (Including a cheese straw recipe that is easy and good.)

How about a non typical crudite? We make different crudites in our family. We do broccolini, fennel,peeled baby carrots with the stems on them still so they look cute, slightly blanched fresh green beans and wax beans all cut the same size, slightly blanched pencil asparagus, baby red and yellow bell peppers, theyre the sweet ones(you can get then in a clear plastic box at costco wholesale), english seedless cucumbers cut on the bias into long battonettes, things like that....for dips we do a roasted eggplant and red pepper dip that you can buy in the food store in a jar called "avjar". Then we cut it with a little mayo and sour cream to make a dip. Or a lemon hummus, or a fresh homemade blue cheese dip or a feta dip.
Just some ideas off the top of my head. Hope they helped you out. :)

[Luv to Cook]

Great ideas! Thanks so much. My printer is whirring away. I forgot to mention that alcohol is not included in the $200. DH's partner is footing the bill for that and we are providing desserts. The $200 is just for the food part.

Thanks again!
Anita

[cooknmom38]

Hi Anita! I was wondering if after your party if you could post the menu of what you served so we all can see what you decided to do! I know Im looking foward to hearing how it goes!

Cooknmom

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks Cooknmom...I will be sure to post the results and reviews!

Anita

[MISSINDI]

I have a great recipe for White Wine Strawberry Sangria that has become a favorite in our house. Made another pitcher for Supper Club last night. Let me know if you want the recipe. :)

[Romandub]

I hosted a happy hour at my house last night for 12 girlfriends. I served the following:

1. Artichoke Roasted Red Pepper Dip--everyone loved this and it was so easy. THis is basically the OLd artichoke dip we've all had a thousand times (can of artichoke hearts, mayo and parmesan) What gives this one a really great flavor is the addition of a sauteed leek and jar of roasted red peppers. Yumm!

2. Baked Brie Kisses--got it off this BB and they went like hotcakes. Even better, they came together in less than 10 minutes.

3. "Bags of Gold" spinach purses. These I bought in the freezer section of our local Randall's. They were pretty, incredible tasting and really tasted home made! I will keep these in my freezer from now on for unexpected company.

4. Fruit and cheese platter and assorted crackers.

5. Platter of brownies and lemon squares

For drinks, I served wine and apple-tinis. Yumm!

I worked until about 3 and then came home to get ready for my happy hour at 5. Everything came together quickly and easily and I am NOT an experienced cook. Hope this helps!

[Romandub]

Missindi--I would love the white wine sangria recipe, please!

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by Dubravka Romano
Missindi--I would love the white wine sangria recipe, please!

Sure thing - here you go. It is super simple to make and oh so delicious. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. :D

White Wine Strawberry Sangria
1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
1/2 cup strawberry schnapps or Creme de Strawberry)
1/4 cup sugar
Whole bag of frozen strawberries (or fresh, when in season)
Ice

In a 2-quart pitcher stir together wine, strawberry schnapps, and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add strawberries and chill for 1 to 4 hours. Serve over ice. If desired, garnish with whole strawberries. Makes 5 or 6 (about 8-ounce) servings.

[doglady8]

Missindi -
That sangria recipe does look delicious! Just the thing for when the snow finally melts here.

I'm white wine challenged (usually drink red), what type of wine would you suggest for a dry white?

Thanks,
Nancy

[jabelt]

doglady8,

I've made MISSINDI's sangria. It's the best!

I prefer chardonnay, but for those that like their drinks really sweet, they've recommended white zinfandel.

[doglady8]

Thanks for the quick reply jabelt! It sounds wonderful - although I've been skiing like a maniac the past few weeks, I'd love to have some warm sangria weather!

[MISSINDI]

Julie's right, Nancy - either will work. I think I used a zin when I made it again for February Supper Club. Hope you like it! :D