I am throwing a dinner party for the women in my family. I would like a theme or planned activity. Any ideas?

Question

Ages range from 19 - 80. We are Italian. It will be a large group.

Answer 1

How about a gardening theme? You could do something like "sowing the seeds of love," "harvesting love", "Batali Family: How does your garden grow?" or something like that. Decorate w/ garden accoutrements purchased at the Dollar Spot at Target or Walmart (garden glvoes, trowels, seed packets, etc). Use potted plants as table decor, then give as gifts to oldest and youngst attending, or as door prizes, etc.

Do you have to eat Italian food? If so, I'm sure you have that covered! If not, I love to serve an entree-type Chicken Salad for a bunch of ladies, along w/ a basket full of various muffins, croissants, and scones. A nice fruit salad and maybe a green salad would be good, too, along w/ it.

A couple recipes:

New SEVEN LAYER SALAD

Dressing:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese (about 2 ounces) (I bought a container with more than 1/2 cup so I could sprinkle over top)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

Salad:
1 (9 oz.) package cheese tortellini, boiled according to package directions; drained and cooled
2 cups shredded red cabbage
6 cups torn spinach leaves
1 cup Colby cheese
1 cup Cheddar cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Crumbled real bacon from bag or jar (however much you like)
Smoked sliced almonds (however much you like) (I find it in produce area— I think its by Sunkist.)

1. In electric blender or food processor, blend yogurt, buttermilk, mayonnaise, Feta cheese, sugar, dill, basil, and pepper until smooth. Chill.

2. Rinse cooled pasta with cold water.

3. In 2½ quart glass bowl, layer cabbage, spinach, tortellini, cheese, and tomatoes.

4. Sprinkle with left over Feta cheese, bacon, and sliced almonds.

5. Pour dressing over salad, cover in plastic wrap, then chill for 2 to 4 hours. Lightly toss before serving.
____________

Curried Chicken Salad

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, poached, cut into ½” cubes
1 red onion,diced fine
1/4 cup dired currants
3 celery stalks, diced fine
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Madras curry powder
2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Break up the walnuts with your fingers, letting them drop into a big bowl. Add the chicken, celery, currants, and onion to the bowl as you cut them. Stir the sour cream, mayonnaise, curry powder, honey, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Pour this curry sauce into the bowl with the chicken mixture and toss with a wooden spoon until the chicken and vegetables are coated.

Side note... they are serving this on a warmed flour tortilla.

--Once Upon A Tart cookbook
_______________________

Spinach, Orzo and Chicken Salad

3 oz. julienne-shredded fresh spinach
3 oz. grilled chicken, sliced and chilled
1 oz. ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 oz. pine nuts, lightly toasted
1/2 oz. sun-dried tomatoes, julienne cut
1/2 oz. capers
1/2 oz. sliced black olives
1/2 oz. julienne-cut radicchio
5 oz. orzo pasta, cooked and chilled
3 oz. Roasted Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette (recipe below)
1/4 oz. shaved Parmesan cheese
Fresh cracked pepper, for garnish

In the order listed, place all ingredients, except Parmesan cheese, in a chilled mixing bowl.
Toss and serve on a decorative wide bowl. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper.

ROASTED GARLIC LEMON VINAIGRETTE
-- Birmingham News - August 30, 2002

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 oz. roasted garlic
3/4 cup virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced (no seeds)

Place vinegar, honey, salt and roasted garlic in a food processor. Puree until garlic is chopped very fine. With the food processor still running, add olive oil and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to use.
____________________

Honey Lime Fruit Toss

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained, reserve juice
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 kiwi, peeled, halved, and sliced
1 cup quartered strawberries
1 large banana, sliced
¼ tsp. grated lime peel
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. honey

Gently stir fruit in large bowl. In small bowl, combine lime peel, lime juice, and honey to make dressing. Pour dressing over fruit and toss. Chill until ready to serve.

--DOLE cookbook
______________________

Blue Salad

8 cups mixed greens
1 carton fresh blueberries
1 pkg. blue cheese
1 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup purple onion

Vinaigrette:
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 clove garlic minced

Whisk together dressing ingredients and then toss with salad.
Makes 6-8 servings.

Answer 2

This is menu 6 from the 50 dollar dinner party book...also, check out the Pama site for party ideas, I included the PDF...

Garlic Roasted Chicken
with Pan-Roasted Vegetables

Orzo and Broccoli Rabe

Chocolate Bread Pudding
Drizzled with Heavy Cream

or have a real NY cheesecake instead...with a bit of chocolate or fresh fruit sauce for drizzle...

have a signature cocktail like a blushing lady...made with Pama Liqueur and pink grapefruit...

or have a dry reisling or chardonnay with liberal amounts for everyone...

Answer 3

Do an Alice in Wonderland Theme, with fancy tea pots, and small antique tea cups for the table centerpiece. I did this for a bridal show and it was fantastic. You can make some gifts for the guests related to Alice in Wonderland. The older ladies will love it--the antique tea pots and lace/floral type decor, and the younger girls will think it is cute.

Answer 4

How about a "Silence is Golden Party" Buy a big desirable prize and give it to the last person who says anything out loud.

Answer 5

How about a Pamper Your Paws theme ... get and give manicures and pedicures or something.

Answer 6

meatball pastsa garlic bread