What would be some good items to include on a garden party menu?

Question

It's a graduation party for young ladies. Recipes or links would be greatly appreciated for less well known items.

Answer 1

The key word is "elegant"! Any finger foods you would normally serve at a high tea would be appropriate, plus perhaps a champagne punch if this is college graduation. A variety of finger sandwiches (cucumber, watercress, egg salad, smoked salmon), small savory pastries like tiny puff pastry filled with shrimp or chicken salad, tiny individual quiches, small fresh-baked scones and petit fours and fruit tarts and eclairs. For a graduation it would be fine to add a tastefully decorated cake.

And perhaps for fun, in keeping with the theme, you could ask all the young ladies to wear hats? I think we girls behave differently and have more fun with a really superb summer hat on our heads.

Answer 2

Salsa & Corn Chips

Norm’s Salsa Dip

1- 28 Oz Can Contadina Crushed Tomatoes
3/4- Cup Chopped Green Onions (with tops)
3- Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1- Tsp Salt
1- Tsp Ground Cumin
2- Tsp Cilantro
1- 4 Oz Can Chopped Green Chilies
1- Jalapeno Pepper (seeded & finely chopped)

Mix all together & chill. Allow at least 30 minutes for flavors to blend before serving with tortilla chips.

Answer 3

Take a cucumber and use a carrot peeler or small knife to "stripe" it by removing strips of peel. Now slice the cucumber and use it in place of a cracker by placing sausage or cheese on the surface. A swipe of cheddar bacon dip, a thick vegetable dip, or a bit of pesto is also lovely with a sprig of parsley on top.

Answer 4

I cater parties quite frequently, and I recommend lots of appetizers, like stuffed mushroom caps, brushetta, fruit & dip, shrimp - and light, refreshing salads like tomato & mozzarella, or a crunchy fresh pea salad. Keep the menu light, and items that can easily be picked up or snacked on. As a beverage, perhaps a sangria (depending on how old they are, you can make a virgin sangria using a recipe at http://www.cooksrecipes.com/beverage/virgin-sangria-recipe.html )
My favourite sources for recipes are....

http://www.recipeland.com/
http://allrecipes.com/
http://www.recipesource.com/

Good luck!

Answer 5

Lots of light and fresh finger foods. Nothing to heavy. You might also consider making some of your serving bowls or trays from ice with flowers and herbs frozen in them. They look beautiful and will keep things like shrimp nice and cold so they don't spoil. Just make sure to put towels under them so they dont' drip everywhere. We had them at a wedding I went to and they were so nice.

Answer 6

punch to quench the thirst- serve two or three.
flowers all over to delight the eyes, herbs to be used as garnishes to tantalize the sense of smell, go for a theme (like victorian, hawaiian, southern, western and accesorize) research on your theme. Go visit your local Botanical garden and get inspired

Answer 7

How about some young men.

Answer 8

Tees and Greens

Answer 9

try grilled chicken with asparagus, mini quiches, fruit torte... all light and flavorful, and as always i recommend foodtv.com

Answer 10

bar b que chicken is a must