Food and ideas for a party with mixed company and tastes?

Question

So im having a party on the 23rd I need some ideas for food and snacks for it, that is inexpensive but good.This party will be sort of mixed company with different tastes. Need things everybody can enjoy.I also need to decorating tips. Help Me.This is for a very special guy in my life so it needs to be special.

Answer 1

Use your imagination. Do you have a room in the house that can be decorated and used for dancing. Then all you need is music. Make sure you have appetizers (this is cheaper than ordering a bunch of pizzas and gives you more $ to spend on something to entertain with) and punch. How about Karaoke you can usually rent the karaoke machine at a decent price.


LONDON BROIL
Servings: 8 (5 1/2 oz. each)

4 lbs (2 large) flank steaks
FOR THE MARINADE (makes about 5 1/2 cups):
16 oz (2 cups) salad oil
8 oz (1 cup) soy sauce
8 oz (1 cup) Worcestershire sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp dry mustard

MARINADE INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine all ingredients for marinade; blend together well. Place flank steak into marinade. Use small enough container to allow flank steak to be completely covered by marinade. Marinade 24 hours minimum and not more than 4 days or flavor of the meat will be overpowered by marinade

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat grill to 360 degrees F for 1/2 hour.

Drain marinade from meat. Reserve marinade up to two weeks if needed.

Grill flank steak to medium rare. This will take approximately 10 minutes cooking time total. Hold cooked flank steak in warmer if necessary.

Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Slice cooked flank steak at 30 degree angle 1/8-inch thick slices: This is essential to keep flank steak tender.
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MAGDALINAS VALENTINE CHICKEN

4 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cans Campbell's condensed golden cream of mushroom soup
1/4 chopped yellow onion
milk (1) one soup can's amount

flour seasoned with garlic powder, season salt, pepper, and (dill weed) optional.

Season and flour 4 chicken breasts and fry in skillet with vegetable oil till done.

Drain and remove excess grease from skillet.

Combine chopped onion, milk, Campbell's condensed golden cream of mushroom soup, 2 tbsp of seasoned flour in skillet with cooked chicken breasts.

Simmer on medium heat till onions are soft.

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Grandmas spagetti sauce

extra virgin olive oil
1 Package cut pork chops 1/4 inch thick bone in( 6 to 8 chops )
1/2 chopped yellow onion
1 basket small button mushroom
8 large can hunts brand tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut on ends
1 tsp Italian seasoning-basil, oregano,
2 turkish bay leaves
1 dash salt (to taste)
2-3 dash sugar (to taste)
splash of wine* optional ( I use chella lambrusco )

Heat some olive oil in bottom of a large kettle then, add pork chops and brown on both sides

Then add the chopped onions and cook till translucent.
When the onions get transparent and have cooked down add cans of sauce and seasonings and the cut and diced mushrooms . Then reduce heat to a low simmer and cook several hours till the meat is tender and falling off the bone . Careful to stir continually so as not to burn the sauce on the bottom of pan.

Serve over your favorite pasta or use for manicotti or lasagna.
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NICK'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE
This sauce is from my Italian~Grandmother except that to save time I have substituted for pork chops the JD Sausage and the Ground beef, and substituted Hunts spagetti sause for hunts Tomato sauce to save cooking time and make a smaller portion for 2 to 4 people.

extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pkg jimmy dean spicy hot sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 chopped yellow onion
1 small can mushroom stems and pieces, diced
1 large can hunts brand spaghetti sauce with mushrooms
1 large can hunts brand spaghetti sauce with meat
2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut on ends
1 tsp Italian seasoning-basil, oregano,
2 turkish bay leaves
1 dash salt (to taste)
2-3 dash sugar (to taste)
splash of wine* optional ( I use chella lambrusco )

Heat some olive oil in bottom of a large kettle then, add sausage and beef together and brown meat.

Then add the chopped onions and the mushrooms and saute to cook down and remove excess moisture.

When the onions get transparent and have cooked down add cans of sauce and seasonings. Then reduce heat to a low simmer and cook till small boil point. Careful to stir continually so as not to burn the sauce on the bottom of pan.

Serve over your favorite pasta or use for manicotti or lasagna.

Source(s):

http://truffle-oil.com/trecipe.htm...

http://www.disaronno.com/default.aspx...

http://www.hormel.com/templates/knowledg...

http://cooksillustrated.com/

http://www.cooks.com/

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf

http://www.livingcookbook.com/

http://www.mccormick.com/

http://www.jif.com/recipes/default.asp...

http://www.kraftfoods.com/jetpuffed/jp_s...

www.allhomemadecookies.com

http://kid.allrecipes.com/

http://www.fbnr.com/finder/searchlists/1...

http://www.kraftfoods.com/velveeta...

http://www.tgifridays.com/mixology/photo...

http://allrecipes.com/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_culin...

http://www.copycat-recipes.net/...

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/cooki...

http://fp.enter.net/~rburk/copycat/copyc...

http://www.astray.com/recipes?show=cocon...

http://www.copykat.com/

http://www.brown-haley.com/almond.cfm...

http://www.coastalcooking.com/recipes.as...

http://www.foodtv.com/food/tv

http://www.recipegal.com/links/copycatre...

http://www.recipelink.com/copycat.html...

http://www.recipesecrets.com/products.as...

http://www.recipelink.com/cgi/msgbrd/msg...

http://www.recipelink.com/mf/8/12804...

lhttp://www.hertzmann.com/articles/2002/s...

http://www.topsecretrecipies.com/home.as...

http://www.vernalisa.addr.com/famous.htm...

http://keylimejuice.com/recipes.htm...

http://www.florida-juice.com/recipes.htm...

http://www.olivegarden.com/recipes/...

http://www.redlobster.com/seafood/recipe...


Camping Recipe

http://www.camprecipes.com/

http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/......

http://www.thecampingsource.com/deliciou...

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/campers/cam...

http://www.recipelink.com/index.html......


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Disney

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/m...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/m...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/o...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/t...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/i...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/d...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/e...

http://www.harrisranch.com/recipes_recip...

http://www.homestead.com/disneyrecipes/a...

BBQ

http://www.thehomechef.net/wood_chips.ht...

http://www.smackyourlipsbbq.com/recipes....

http://www.free-gourmet-recipes.com/barb...

http://fp.enter.net/~rburk/sauce-rub-mar...

http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/recipe/menu...

Answer 2

Just serve appetizers if you can. Nuts, cheese, crackers, little meatballs, veggies and dip, that sort of thing. Finger foods, not a sit-down if possible. Put dishes of foods in different places, it keeps the crowd moving around. Serve wine, beer, soda. Have a bottle each of vodka and gin with mixers. Music not so loud that people can't talk. Use candles and flowers for atmosphere. Turn down the lights a bit, makes things and people look better. Keep it simple. Clean the bathroom well, and take anything out of the medicine cabinet you wouldn't want your granny to see or to be stolen. Put any valuables in your bedroom & lock the door. Have a glass of wine and a nice shower before the party and you'll do great!

Answer 3

Please, whatever you do, don't mix things that are TO DIFFRENT!!!! for instance, don't mix sushi with spaghetti! or hot dogs with enchiladas! Try to make it special, but not tooo over the top. And if your going to make it a formal one, I advise against anything you can get yourself. like, don't let the guests serve themselves(that is, if it's a dinner party). but if this is just your average BBQ, then mix a variety of meats. give alot of side dish options.this also depends. if it's a b-day party, you can let your silly side show, and the decor can be a little more fun. if it's a little more formal,like when shorts are unacceptable, tone it down a little. the guests should be focusing on each other, like conversation, unlike games and festivities at a b-day bash, especially when people are meeting each other for the first time(parents, friends, relatives, etc.).#1 rule, have fun, and be yourself.(you will shine!)

Answer 4

what type of party? casual or formal?

food wise: hmmmm, for a casual party pizza strips could work, can never go wrong with chicken (unless most of your friends are vegetarians) chicken strips, or wings can be a big attraction.

as far as the decoration... i wouldnt suggest going over the top with this. have pictures around and other things that are interesting to look at, this can be a good way to get solid conversation started between the 'mixed' company

Answer 5

What about a tapas buffet?
I did it on by birthday at work.
Fun part is that after there where some "goodbye" parties and I was asked to do the catering.

Placed my cookbook on the web and here:
http://www.jannekes.eu/tapas/index.html

You'll find quite some tapas recipes (easy to make in advance, most can be served cold)

Greetz and have a nice party.

Answer 6

An excellent appetizer: take small (about 3 to 4 inch) pickles, wrap them with a slice of dried beef with Philadelphia cream cheese spread on the dried beef. They are soooooooooo good!

Answer 7

pulled pork sandwiches. they are great

Answer 8

Nachos
Always a party fav.
Nacho cheese,salsa,&bean dip
Ur welcome!