Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

We are having a small party for our DS in our backyard. Its going to be about 40-45 people. So now I am trying to figure out a menu....I was gonna have it all catered but we have decided to cook some stuff ourselves (to save some money).

What would you have?
(not all this we will cook but what food can we have that is good for backyard end of july)

Sausage & Peppers
Chicken Marsala
Penne Ala Vodka

??????? Im stuck, I dont know why I am having such a hard time


Thanks for any help

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

I am having the same type of party as you but in August here is my menu:

Apps:
Clam dip
Seafood dip
Shrimp cocktail
Salsa dip
Stuffed mushrooms
Veggies platter
Olives cheeses platter
Chips pretzels etc

Food:
Penne ala vodka
Sausage and peppers
Cold pasta salad
Reg salad
Macaroni salad
Potatoe salad
BBQ: chicken, burgers, hot dogs, steak
Kids: Mac n cheese, fries, nuggets

Desserts:
2 cakes (they are twins and always want them to have their own)
Cheesecake cupcakes
Cupcakes
Choc chip cookies
Sugar cookies
Peanut kiss cookies
Brownies
Fruit salad
Italian ice bucket

Hth

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

we had our DS in july as well. we only had about 20-30 people

apps:
pita chips and hummus
veggies and dip
pretzels and chips - kids

food:
meatballs (we made)
baked ziti (we made)
italian hero - ordered
american hero - ordered
- pot salad, mac salad came with that
chicken tenders - for kids, but most adults dug into!
sausage and peppers
salad

we ordered from dominiks and arditos in mineola - AMAZING!!

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

We are having my dd's 2nd bday party this weekend..

Appetizers: chips, ptetzels, doritos, veggie platter n cheese n crackers

Dinner: sausage n peppers, penne ala vodka, chicken marsala(ordering a full tray), toss salad, italian bread n homemade mac n cheese

Dessert: strawberry shortcake theme..
Chocolate covered strawberries
Friendlys watermelon roll, fudge roll too
Cupcakes
Fruit salad
Strawberry shortcake

Favors: strawberry shortcake lollipops.

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

I'm doing the Christening party at home too. Looks like we have the same menu almost!

I am doing part myself, and the other half catered.

Apps:
Cheese and crackers
fresh fruit platter (come with catering order)
chips and dip
veggies and dip

Food (stuff I am making):
sausage and peppers
penne ala vodka
crockpot meatballs
mac and cheese
green bean casserole

Stuff catered:
platter of assorted wraps and panini's
Caesar salad
cold pasta salad (farfalle primavera with seasoned veggies and light garlic and oil)
balsamic chicken with brushetta
Italian bread

Dessert:
sheet cake
gourmet cookie and brownie platter (comes with catering)
coffee and tea

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

DD's 2.5 Birthday party is next weekend and we are having

BBQ Ribs
Hotdogs
Baked Beans
Pasta Salad
Chips
Watermelon
Cake
Homemade vanilla ice cream chocolate chip cookie sandwiches
Assorted beer, pop, water, juice


I say keep it simple and seasonal. I would not want to eat warm pasta, sausage and peppers, or anything like that. I would want seasonal food that is easy and refreshing...ie: BBQ, fruit, burger/brats/hotdogs, kabobs, assorted salads and so on.

Re: Help with Backyard Christening party menu.....Please

We are doing platters of wraps, hero's & panini's (along with all the salads & appetizers)
Hot food just added up too much & I figured that since it was hot out I could get away with sandwiches. With 60 people it made a big difference in the price.