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Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
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Re: Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
WOW  Honestly if you are catering and feel comfortable spending  then go for it, but if you're making all of this you can cut back......a lot! This seems much more formal then it sounds and it doesn't have to be so huge IMHO
This is what I would do:
APPS
Shrimp
Meat and Cheese Tray
Stuffed Mushrooms
Lambchops
Vegtable Crudite
DINNER
Baked Ziti
I would choose Ham or Turkey, but not both
Potatoes
Veggies
Salad
You could do chx fingers, but I really don't think you need to.
DESSERTS
Fruitcake
Apple Pie
I would do fudge and Christmas Cookies
BEVERAGE
I think what you have is just fine
As far as amounts of food I would take what you think you need and only make buy half. People have plenty of options for food, and with a bunch of apps they will not be eating a full meal in 1 sitting, but grazing through the night. Does that make sense? I host a lot of large get togethers and always make way more then we need and in the end it's just not worth it. I think with the above menu you have a large range of foods that appeal to everybody and doesn't kill you with leftovers. The hardest lessons I learned in hosting large parties is you can't please every single person, but with a larger variety you can appeal to atleast 1 or 2 things people like.
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Posted 12/1/09 5:36 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by rojerono
Okay.. so maybe there are too many apps.. so what should I cut?
I know I DEFINITELY want:
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Lollipop lambchops
and Puff n' Pups..
The meat and cheese and veggie crudite require no real work so tehy can stay. And my MIL is making the Crab Quiche so that can stay too...
Leaving me with:
Brie en Croute
Stuffed Mushrooms
Swedish Meatballs
Clam Dip on Butter Crackers
Stromboli
Keep 2 or 3? Which ones?
keep the shrooms. and I'd say either the clam dip or stromboli.
too much heavy meaty stuff will take away from the undoubtably glorious mains you'll be serving.
I agree. Keep the shrooms and I would say lose the stromboli.
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| Posted 12/2/09 9:13 AM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
Posted by rojerono
Every year my family has a Christmas Eve party. It includes my immediate family and also our 'extended family' - neighbors and friends that we are very close to.
My mother started the tradition in my childhood home. After she died, my sisters bought the house and continued the tradition... but my sister feels very stressed throwing the party.
THIS year.. I finally asked her if I could take the party off her hands. SHE SAID YES! This is actually my first holiday party in our house (and we've been here.. 4 years!).
I am looking to you guys to help me brainstorm and come up with a great menu and drinks.
Here's what I have come up with for the menu as it stands:
Hors D’oeuvres
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Meat and Cheese Platter (Stilton, Camembert, Rondin, Swiss and Cheddar with Pepperoni, Genoa, Soppressata) with assorted flatbreads and fruit.
Brie en Croute
Puff’n puppies
Crab Quiche
Stuffed Mushrooms
Lollipop lambchops
Swedish Meatballs
Clam Dip on Butter Crackers
Stromboli
Vegetable Crudite
Dinner Dishes:
Baked Ziti
Mac and Cheese
Spiral Sliced Ham
Fried Turkey
Mashed Potatoes with choice of toppings (butter, fried leeks, chives, sour cream, cheddar, scallions, crumbled bacon, gravy)
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
Giant Salad
Chicken fingers for the little ones
Desserts:
Brownies
Persimmon cookies
Fruitcake (yes, really)
Apple Pie
Drinks:
Wine
Christmas Champagne Punch (decorated with Pomegranate seeds and Green Apple Slices)
Beer
There will be about 40 adults, and 10 kids.. plus 3 very young kids (under 2).
So here are the questions:
First - critique it. What kind of vibe is coming off here? I want it to be informal - but not so casual that it doesn't seem like a special occasion. And I think I have something for all palates.. but I want fresh eyes.
Second - the drinks. I am not a fan of people getting crazy drunk at my house. Especially with the kids.. so I felt like limiting it to wine and beer would be good. Should I just say screw it and get some vodka and rum and mixers?
Third - the amounts. How much should I have? I don't want people to have so many appetizers that they don't have room for the 'main' foods.. but I also don't want to be stuck saying "I don't have anymore" if people want more? Should I make enough chicken fingers for the adults too? I was thinking just enough for the kids in case they don't want ham or turkey?
Fourth - speaking of turkey.. Do you think a lot of people will have it on Christmas day? I don't want to turkey people out but I felt like I needed a poultry option. I didn't want to be frying cutlets all day for a francaise.. but maybe it's a better option?
And the pasta! I put Ziti.. but it's really heavy - especially with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes on the menu. Do you think I should make penne with just a light marinara as an option instead? Or Pasta with Vodka sauce?
I'm almost there!!!!!!!
I think the menu is divine!
1. The vibe I get is classy, cozy and homey. I can totally picture everyone having a great time without being casual or stuffy.
2. I'd stick w/wine and beer. All our family parties are like that and no one ever complains.
3. For the amounts, I'd make the most of the shrimp cocktail and cheese platter since they always go fast. I'd make double batches of the meatballs, quiches, mushrooms, and 1 of everything else. There's a lot of food and people can sample everything.
4. I personally wouldn't do turkey since everyone had it on T-day. I like the francaise idea but it's kinda not too special....hmm...Maybe a play on a chicken cordon bleu cutlet? You can do the cutlets a day beforehand and warm them up with sauce or glaze? Oh, how about a glazed roasted turkey loin? That is different and can be done soo many different ways. As far as the pasta, to be different, maybe I'd do a pasta primavera or carbonara? I definitly don't think you need chicken fingers for the adults tho.
HTH 
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| Posted 12/2/09 11:15 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
Posted by medic6809
WOW Honestly if you are catering and feel comfortable spending then go for it, but if you're making all of this you can cut back......a lot! This seems much more formal then it sounds and it doesn't have to be so huge IMHO
.
I WISH I had $$ to cater! I'm not too worried about the work.. I am taking help from people - MIL is doing the quiche, my friend just called last night and said he wants to to the shrimp for me. Another friend is doing the pies and brownies and my sister is doing the stuffed mushrooms. I still have a lot but it's kind of tradition to overfeed the masses and I loooove cooking and entertaining. I am definitely going to cut some stuff though. I don't want to start HATING cooking and entertaining after my first holiday soiree!!!
Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions.. I'm in the home stretch of planning now!
Message edited 12/2/2009 11:27:09 AM.
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| Posted 12/2/09 11:26 AM |
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Re: Updated with (almost) Final Menu.
Posted by rojerono
Posted by medic6809
WOW Honestly if you are catering and feel comfortable spending then go for it, but if you're making all of this you can cut back......a lot! This seems much more formal then it sounds and it doesn't have to be so huge IMHO
.
I WISH I had $$ to cater! I'm not too worried about the work.. I am taking help from people - MIL is doing the quiche, my friend just called last night and said he wants to to the shrimp for me. Another friend is doing the pies and brownies and my sister is doing the stuffed mushrooms. I still have a lot but it's kind of tradition to overfeed the masses and I loooove cooking and entertaining. I am definitely going to cut some stuff though. I don't want to start HATING cooking and entertaining after my first holiday soiree!!!
Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions.. I'm in the home stretch of planning now!
Oh that makes more sense. Geez I was having a stroke for you thinking about making all that food I'm sure it'll be great and you'll have a wonderful time! Just remember classics appeal to most everybody so with everything you have posted there will be something for everybody! Have a BLAST!!!!
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| Posted 12/3/09 9:51 AM |
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| Pages: 1 [2] |
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