food for mid-afternoon baby shower?

[brendat4]

Hi! I am co-hosting a baby shower next month and need some menu ideas. The shower will begin at 2 p.m. so after lunch and before dinner. My co-host and I feel like we don't need a lot of food b/c of that time but we don't want to be skimpy and have nothing. Any thoughts on what types of food/desserts or beverages we could have? I looked through some previous threads about baby showers but none really addressed my particular issue. TIA for your help!

[LadyWild]

The general rule I use is 4-6 appetizer bites per hour per person when you are not serving a meal. If you'll have a cake or something, you can scale this down to 3-4. You don't have to have heavy things. Vegetables and dip, crostini, cheese, fruit, etc. would be fine.

[lorilei]

How about an afternoon "tea"? Herbal hot or iced tea... mini cucumber sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, marmalade, tea cakes...

We threw a mid afternoon tea party for my sister in law a few years ago, and it was great fun. Some of the women brought their daughters -- and the young girls dressed for "high" tea in big hats and feather boas. DH also dressed in a suit stood in as the "butler" at the party, greeting everyone at the door and serving tea. Of course that, in and of itself, got rave reviews.

[cfr3b]

The tea idea is a good one. I have done something similar although we included more savory items than most teas. I can't remember what we made but I know we had ham biscuits and assorted finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon with cream cheese and chicken salad) along with scones and desserts. Personally, I think veggie platters never get touched but a fruit salad might be nice. You're right in that most people won't be hungry at all but might want something to nibble on.

For desserts, I like to do mini cupcakes, lemon bars or cut-out cookies in the shape of onesies, rattles or baby bottles (I know a girl who does these as a hobby). I also love petit fours! One local bakery does adorable petit fours especially for baby showers.

For drinks, I usually have a pitcher of pre-mixed mimosas and arnold palmers (half tea, half lemonade). Festive but easy.

[krhm]

I like the idea of a tea, as well. Or just do an all-dessert baby shower...a cookie platter, fruit tray with a creamy dip, some mini-cupcakes.

As a centerpiece, I once did a basket of chocolate dipped strawberries. Partially dip strawberries in melted chocolate, and once hardened, then use thin wood skewers through the green tops of the strawberry. (you can get really fancy and use green floral tape to make it look like stems) Insert florist's foam into the bottom of the basket, then arrange strawberries.

[Sheila in MD]

There are some good ideas! I prefer fruit kabobs to fruit salad...for some reason, I find they go way faster than fruit salad does. I have a recipe (can't remember where i got it and have not tried it) but it is for strawberries dipped in caramel and salted nuts...the other thing I like is pineapple dipped in semi-sweet chocolate! I received an Edible Arrangement for my birthday and it had this in it-YUM!!!

Sheila in MD

[Canice]

I really like the idea of finger sandwiches; they look festive and there are unlimited options. I posted this Walk-Around Caprese recipe the other day that would be light and bright. If you did the finger sandwiches and roasted asparagus or green bean salad and fruit kabobs you'd be covered for light bites and those who may enjoy something a little more substantial.

[cfr3b]

Thanks for jogging my memory. Instead of a fruit plate, we did chocolate covered strawberries. A big hit.

[Terri_A]

I would probably serve all appetizer type things. Such as a pesto and sundried tomato torta, greek salad bites, wonton shrimp cups, crudite with an interesting dip and fruit with another interesting sweet dip and a cake.