Recipes for a "Meet and Greet"?

Question

My compnay has a new Director and she is asking all the branch offices to hold a "meet and greet" so all the local officals can approach her. She has asked specifically for a restuarnt in town to be used. Problem is they can give us the room required but they will not be able to provide food for us, go figure. They say there is no health department regulation preventing us from bringing in food so I guess that is what I will have to do. What I need are easy cocktail type recipes so I can prepare the food. I really feel the need to make an impression since she is the "new boss" but I have a budget of $100 for roughly 20 people. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Are you looking for appetizers or real food? Are you wanting cocktail recipes too? I have several but do not want to write them down unless I know what you are really looking for.

Here you go hope these help:

OK
Here you go for a couple cheap appetizers
This one can be kept warm in a crockpot
Arizona Hot Dip
1 lb Velvetta Cheese cubed
1 can chili without beans
1/4 lb. butter
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Place all ingredients into crockpot. Stir often until cheese is melted and mixture is hot. Serve warm with chips.

For dessert:
You can use this wonderful fruit dip and get what ever fruit is on sale and put them on those wooden skewers on a large platter

Marshmallow Fruit Dip
1 Jar (7oz.) marshmallow cream
1 (8oz.) package cream cheese softened
2 Tbs. lime juice

Beat with electric mixer until nice and smooth. Put in fridge until cool. I love this one not too many ingredients and quick!

Artichoke Chicken I will modify this recipe for you to feed more people and then just add a large salad.
6 packages of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
6 (14oz.) cans water packed artichoke hearts drained and coarsely chopped
6 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese not the stuff in the green can
6 cloves crushed garlic
cooking spray

Spray 3 baking dishes with cooking spray and evenly divide chicken between the pans. Combine the remaining ingredients and spread evenly over chicken coating completely. Bake uncovered for 320 minutes or til brown and bubbly in a pre-heated 425 degree oven. I usually make this with just 4 large chicken breasts and 1 can of artichokes it is so YUMMY and everyone wants the recipe it is very easy and it tastes like it was hard to make. I hope you can pull this off . Good luck and YOU deserve a raise!

Answer 2

Syrup and yogurt is a good mix especially if you make your own yogurt. We like smoothies in the summer. I never use a recipe. I just pull out the blender and pour in a cup of yogurt. I start tossing in whatever fruit I have on hand. I sweeten with a little honey and thin it with a little milk if necessary. If you like icy smoothies, freeze some milk in an ice cube tray and drop in a few cubes. I fried chicken with a crushed Ritz cracker coating when I realized I was out of flour. Now I use that coating deliberately on occasion. It's pretty good on breaded pork chops too. After I'd done this a couple of times, I found a recipe in an old cookbook. So, I guess it wasn't all that original. Way back when I was in junior high school, my best friend and I fried up some breaded dill pickle slices and pickled beets. They were pretty terrible as I remember but neither of us would admit it at the time.

Answer 3

Some good suggestions here, which I would evaluate with these points in mind (assuming you can do this as a cocktail-type party, where people mostly walk around and nibble):

-- Simple is good. You don't want to stress yourself out hauling equipment (chafing dishes, etc.)

-- Finger food is good. If you can get by without forks etc., you keep things simple and save on clutter and cleanup. Plus, people don't have to worry about dripping stuff on their clothes.

-- Small servings are good. Tiny bites of elegant ingredients (caviar, smoked salmon) set a festive mood while helping stretch your budget.

-- Think veggies. Stuffed celery, roasted pepper finger sandwiches, marinated asparagus, stuffed mushrooms are delicious and swanky -- and less expensive than meat or seafood.

-- Think about the occasion and don't get nuts over the menu. The food is just a set of props that help people relax for the real action -- meeting & greeting.

You can find a ton of ideas here:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Appetizers-and-Snacks/Canapes-and-Bruschetta/Main.aspx

Here is one easy recipe from the great Daniel Boulud:
White, rye or pumpernickel bread, cut into 1-inch rounds, toasted and topped with caviar, pâté, mousse, cheese, or cured meats or fish; or with seeded and finely diced tomato mixed with crème fraîche, Tabasco, minced fresh chives and salt.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Cocktail Weiners make a great appetizer if you're wanting to do something simple instead of a sit down meal. In a crock-pot, combine BBQ sauce and grape jelly to taste and then add the weiners. Here's a recipe
1 (16 ounce) package little smokie sausages
1 (8 ounce) jar cocktail sauce or BBQ sauce
1 (8 ounce) jar grape jelly

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cocktail sauce and grape jelly. Mix in the little smokie sausages. Cook 5 minutes, or until the sausages are hot.


Mini ham and biscuits are good for informal get togethers, too. They're easy to make. Just get some mini-buns and some thin sliced ham or country ham. Have ketchup, mustard and mayo on hand to dress them up.

Make sure to have a vegie tray with dip and a fruit tray. You can either put them together yourself or buy them pre-made at your local grocery store.

Petit-fours are good, too. Buy those, it's much easier than making them yourself.

Make some brownies and cookies or cupcakes, too.

Spinach dip is always a big hit at informal gatherings. Get some kind of cracker or chip to go with it. Here's a recipe:
10 slices bacon
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup salsa
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir the spinach, salsa, cream cheese and green onions until the cream cheese has melted. Mix in the crumbled bacon and tomatoes. Remove from heat. Mix in the mozzarella cheese, cumin, salt, pepper and garlic powder.

You could also some some jello salads or fruit salads. My favorite is Snicker Salad. Take 8 Large apples (I use various kinds) and 8 large Snicker candy bars and cut them into bite size pieces. Mix 1 container of Cool Whip with 1 brick of cream cheese to a nice smooth consistency. Add a very well drained can of pineapple chunks, the Snickers and the apples to the mix and coat well.

Hope these ideas help!

Answer 5

$5 a person isn't a good budget for something that you would make yourself or order. Go to costo and get thier apetizer trays. It will save money and if people are still hungry they can eat at the restaraunt. Don't worry about making an impression with the food. It is about the presentation and how you carry yourself that matters.

Answer 6

What is the recipe for Neiman Marcus Dip

Answer 7

thats not enough for your budget. But if thats what you have to work with... then so be it. I would have a vege tray with hummus and dips, cheese and sausage platter and fresh fruit. If its just a m&g that should be fine.