topic Re: What would you serve? in Recipes

What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:01:32 GMT

I am hosting an open house to my friends/family/business associates next month. It will be on a Friday after work at my office. I am now a licensed insurance agent and want to do a social, keeping it light.

The hours will be from 5-7:30. I think I will have about 50 people drop by.i know I could just order some platters from Publix and I may end up doing that but would love to do something unique.

Thanks!

Re: What would you serve?

Desertdi — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:13:27 GMT

I would suggest a caterer with servers

Re: What would you serve?

Bellabutterfly — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:31:32 GMT

Hi NativeJax!

First...Congrads, on receiving your license. That is great!

I would do finger foods...Here are some suggestions.

* Prosciutto wrapped around Cantaloupe Melon Wedges

* Red & White Seadless Grapes placed in large bowl

* Assorted Sushi Trays ...

If you do this I would suggest doing the following:

* "Vegitarian" Sushi Tray - Only Vegitables - And makesure that they are MARKED VEGITARIAN

* "Seafood" Sushi Tray - Crab and Shrimp...Make Sure that it is Marked SHELLFISH SUSHI (For many people are allergic to Shellfood)

* Sparkling Waters / Soft Drinks

* White Zinfandel Wine

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:35:03 GMT

Hi BellaButterfly!

I actually did think about sushi because two blocks down is a nice sushi house and I can do the fruit myself and the prosciutto myself which would save me money:-)

Re: What would you serve?

AKgirl2 — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:43:01 GMT

@NativeJax wrote:
Hi BellaButterfly!

I actually did think about sushi because two blocks down is a nice sushi house and I can do the fruit myself and the prosciutto myself which would save me money:-)

The problem is, not everyone likes sushi😕

Re: What would you serve?

Ms X — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:47:57 GMT

Congratulations!! What do the people coming like to eat? Where I live, you can't go wrong with a large pan of lasagna, which is easy to make. Are there certain regional dishes that most people like? You might want to include one or two of them just to make sure something will be popular.

Also, I always need something that's very high in protein to go along with the rest of the food offered, whether it's bread, pasta, dessert, or fruit. All of that is carbs. What about chicken or some other protein?

If you're doing it youself, you could get some fruit at the supermarket and fill a couple of bowls with it, like another poster suggested above. What is in season and so fresh and on sale?

I would include a traditional dessert, such as a sheet cake, as well. You could have some kind of message written on it.

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:49:06 GMT

That's true....what do you suggest? I don't have a stove at the office, just a fridge. I did think about meatballs because they are easy and I can cook those in a crock pot. I know it's after work on a Friday so I would think people will be hungry. I would like to keep the event under $200 and I think I can do that with the right menu that I can prepare some myself.

I was going to make homemade sangria.

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:51:34 GMT

Oh, I live in Florida so in October we can still get pretty much anything in terms of fruit.

Re: What would you serve?

Ms X — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:56:04 GMT

@NativeJax wrote:
That's true....what do you suggest? I don't have a stove at the office, just a fridge. I did think about meatballs because they are easy and I can cook those in a crock pot. I know it's after work on a Friday so I would think people will be hungry. I would like to keep the event under $200 and I think I can do that with the right menu that I can prepare some myself.

I was going to make homemade sangria.

Sangria sounds great! If you're having meatballs, will they be in tomato sauce? That sounds delicious. I'd suggest getting some really nice bread at a bakery, or rolls. You could get French bread or ciabatta rolls. Trader Joe's has great ciabatta rolls, but they're not cheap. You might get a better deal with a bakery.

Then you could offer some roasted chicken fresh from the supermarket if that's convenient.

Is there a bakery near your office where you could order rolls and a sheet cake and have them ready just before the event?

Re: What would you serve?

Imadickens — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:08:51 GMT

My mother was always the hostess with the mostest! For open houses like these she always had a turkey at one end of the table and a ham at the other. She had assorted small breads and rolls, fancy cranberry relish, and mayos. Then, there could be a salmon mousse, a gelatin mold, a homemade cheese ball, crudités and on another table, finger sweets! A fun idea is to make cream puff shells (they're remarkably easy,) and fill with various meat salads, like chicken, egg, and ham. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are showy, and you can split medium shrimp lengthwise, marinate them in a sauce of choice, wrap in bacon and broil! Delish! I know I'm boring, but I still love good pigs in blankets! Now days, small assorted sandwich wraps are fun. The idea, I guess, is to 1. know your guest list- do many not eat certain foods? Are there any severe allergies? You can't cater to everyone, but if over half are say, vegan, you will flop if most of your food is meat based! Also, anything with nuts should be labeled as such! 2. Know your budget- parties like these can get expensive fast! If you have an open budget, go for the sun! But, if not, pick one or two showy things, and splurge, then take it easy on the rest! If you take care of the little things (like serving dips out of hollowed out colored peppers and making deviled eggs, but use a piping bag to fill them!) your party will be a wow! Also, a fun table, set with a theme adds pizzaz! Find unique serving dishes you have and see if a few of them have the same feel. If so, go with it! 3. Finally, plan for things that don't require you to do a lot of last minute prep work! If you can hire help, do! (Even a high school girl who will walk around and pick up dirty dishes and glasses, and refill empty items) This allows you to enjoy the party as well! You will always keep track of what is going on, but if you aren't the only one, you can mingle with ease! Have fun, most of all!

Sorry, I just noticed it's at your office! You'll need to definitely do make ahead items! For 50 people under $200 I wouldn't try to serve dinner, although some people will try to fill up! Little meatballs are a great idea. Do some in tomato sauce and some sweet sauer! Or, do sausage in the tomato! Deviled eggs or a big bowl of egg salad with dinner rolls is nice! You mention fruit, individual fruit skewers are fun! I would consider doing all finger food! It will save on buying the unite sil's. Also, use dessert plates, otherwise, plan on dinner for 50 which I doubt will come in under $200! More like $500-700 I'd say! What ever you do, if you have fun, so will your guests! If you are celebrating your license, maybe get a few bottles of something bubbly, and have a toast! BT w, congratulations!

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:12:13 GMT

JewelWisher your mom sounds like my granny was...she could throw a party. I do like the idea of the turkey and ham, that can be easily served...

I could do bow tie pasta, with ham and turkey, rolls, meatballs, I like the red/white grapes...I probably wouldn't do the sheet cakes, I was thinking brownies with no nuts. I could just order honey baked ham and turkey...I can do the pasta, fruit and brownies I can order from BJ's....

I was going to ask my son to come and serve...my sister, brother and brother in law are agents too but I am new to the family business, they will help as well:-)

I do like all the ideas....

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:19:41 GMT

Last year I organized my previous company party for 100 people...I am good with a penny:-) the dollar tree has nice clear plastic dessert plates.

If I can do some of the cooking I think I can keep it low cost... I may go over $200 but I am going to try not too.

My sister says I make the best chicken salad in the planet...so much work to do that though. My meatballs I will do bbq sauce/grape jelly...yummy.

Re: What would you serve?

Ms X — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:24:31 GMT

@NativeJax wrote:
Last year I organized my previous company party for 100 people...I am good with a penny:-) the dollar tree has nice clear plastic dessert plates.

If I can do some of the cooking I think I can keep it low cost... I may go over $200 but I am going to try not too.

My sister says I make the best chicken salad in the planet...so much work to do that though. My meatballs I will do bbq sauce/grape jelly...yummy.

It sounds like you'll have a nice assortment of foods. Maybe you can have your son bring the chicken salad made the night before from the house if he'll be helping. I think brownies would be terrific. Very few people don't like them.

Re: What would you serve?

NativeJax — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:29:48 GMT

Yes, he could do that. I might ask my aunt if she can help me cook the day before..if I bought a ham and turkey I could cook and slice up myself. It would be served cold though, which I think is fine.

The chicken salad is a lot of work to debone I probably will avoid that much labor lol

Re: What would you serve?

sward05 — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:31:11 GMT

For dessert at a shower for my son's fiance I ordered a tray of mini pastries from the bakery. Was a much bigger hit than sheet cake. Also I got to choose things like brownies, mini cheesecake bites, petti fors. ...not sure of the spelling...mini tarts etc.

Re: What would you serve?

GenXmuse — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:32:29 GMT

Costco has some great options too. I like their bite size spinach tarts and mini quiches. I serve these at showers I'm hosting.

Re: What would you serve?

rrpell — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 03:32:37 GMT

Hi @NativeJax,

Oh, that sounds like fun!

What would I serve that would be unique? My latest obsession are these national flag plates which were made for the Sydney International Food Festival. I think they are beautiful. I have shown a few, below, but all 18 can be seen by googling "Sydney International Food Festival National Flags" where descriptions of the ingredients and which country they represent can be found.

I would make some of them (maybe changing out some ingredients, like mozerella cubes instead of spaghetti on the first one), on the same rectangular white plates and line them up in a row. I would probably give out a little prize for anyone who could tell me the names of all the countries. Of course, the people who arrived earlier would have a better chance at winning😀 I would put out a bowl of those Meyer Lemon Shortbread Scrabble Cookies (last picture). The recipe can be found on the "When Adobo Met Feijoada" blog.

Good luck on your event!

Re: What would you serve?

granny me — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 06:20:52 GMT

My sugesstion for easy desserts are iced brownies and a bread pudding with a brandi sauce sitting close. They both are cheap to make and easily cut and plated ahead of time.

Re: What would you serve?

jlkz — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 17:06:18 GMT

Finger food: I would love a few bite size pieces of tomato pie ( pizza with only a slight sprinkle of Romano cheese ).

Marble-sized meatballs on a toothpick for protein.

Tiny cupcakes...homemade from a box with chocolate icing.

Tiny paper cups with two types of nuts.

It is so lunchtime here that I am starving !!!

Re: What would you serve?

stargazergal — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:06:59 GMT

Loved reading your post ! How sweet of you to reply such great idea's !

@Imadickens wrote:
My mother was always the hostess with the mostest! For open houses like these she always had a turkey at one end of the table and a ham at the other. She had assorted small breads and rolls, fancy cranberry relish, and mayos. Then, there could be a salmon mousse, a gelatin mold, a homemade cheese ball, crudités and on another table, finger sweets! A fun idea is to make cream puff shells (they're remarkably easy,) and fill with various meat salads, like chicken, egg, and ham. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are showy, and you can split medium shrimp lengthwise, marinate them in a sauce of choice, wrap in bacon and broil! Delish! I know I'm boring, but I still love good pigs in blankets! Now days, small assorted sandwich wraps are fun. The idea, I guess, is to 1. know your guest list- do many not eat certain foods? Are there any severe allergies? You can't cater to everyone, but if over half are say, vegan, you will flop if most of your food is meat based! Also, anything with nuts should be labeled as such! 2. Know your budget- parties like these can get expensive fast! If you have an open budget, go for the sun! But, if not, pick one or two showy things, and splurge, then take it easy on the rest! If you take care of the little things (like serving dips out of hollowed out colored peppers and making deviled eggs, but use a piping bag to fill them!) your party will be a wow! Also, a fun table, set with a theme adds pizzaz! Find unique serving dishes you have and see if a few of them have the same feel. If so, go with it! 3. Finally, plan for things that don't require you to do a lot of last minute prep work! If you can hire help, do! (Even a high school girl who will walk around and pick up dirty dishes and glasses, and refill empty items) This allows you to enjoy the party as well! You will always keep track of what is going on, but if you aren't the only one, you can mingle with ease! Have fun, most of all!

Sorry, I just noticed it's at your office! You'll need to definitely do make ahead items! For 50 people under $200 I wouldn't try to serve dinner, although some people will try to fill up! Little meatballs are a great idea. Do some in tomato sauce and some sweet sauer! Or, do sausage in the tomato! Deviled eggs or a big bowl of egg salad with dinner rolls is nice! You mention fruit, individual fruit skewers are fun! I would consider doing all finger food! It will save on buying the unite sil's. Also, use dessert plates, otherwise, plan on dinner for 50 which I doubt will come in under $200! More like $500-700 I'd say! What ever you do, if you have fun, so will your guests! If you are celebrating your license, maybe get a few bottles of something bubbly, and have a toast! BT w, congratulations!