Hosting a small gathering on Friday,1he 14th for about 8 people before attending another function. Menu??

Question

Some guest don't each beef or pork, one is diabetic. I thought perhaps assortment of pizza, with veggies. Or chicken wings, veggies, cheese ball and crackers.
Would serving different pizza slices be tacky. They will probably be at my home for about 1.5 hours, then off to a club for a Xmas affair in which they can order food and drinks.

Answer 1

If your guest will only be at your home for 1.5 hours and then are leaving to go out to eat than why not just serve appetizers such as cheese ball and crackers, a dip and chips, veggy platter. In my opinion I would keep it all cold dishes and simple - this way your cleanup won't be too hard. You start serving stuff like pizza than no one is going to want to go out to eat afterwards...

Answer 2

Do something different. Make them some warm avocado soup. They'll think you're a gourmet cook.

Go to the store and get a box of prepared guacamole. Don't buy the dip in those round containers, that's awful. The stuff I'm talking about is two plastic bags in a square box.

Peel six medium potatoes

Cut potatoes into bite size pieces and just cover with water

Boil under tender

Do not discard the water

Add one and a half cups of milk

With a potato masher, break the potatoes up further, but not mashing them completely. You want the soup a bit chunky

Add the guacamole and stir

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with crusty bread from the bakery.

We usually fry two thick pieces of bacon until crisp and break them into the soup, but since you have non-pork eaters, you don't want to do this.

Answer 3

I would skip that all together and do appetizers if they can order food and drinks after your house. Pizza and wings will probably be too heavy. A veggie platter would be good, Knorr's spinach bread dip, shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers. You can make it as fancy or as casual as you like. Check the largest supermarket around you. On sale this week at my supermarket is buy one get one shrimp cocktail rings for $10, plenty for 8 people. And most of the small trays of cheese, veggies and fruit are less than $20. It's cheaper to make them, but easier to buy.

Answer 4

I would suggest appetizers, you can go to most grocery stores an they usually have a wide selection in the frozen section of easy to cook and eat variety.

Another option would be a cheese and cracker tray along with your veggies. If you have to pay for food at the club some might be thinking to fill up at your house to save the money.

Or you could have everyone bring 1 appetizer, it lets people try different things, less work and less cash on your part. I do it for most my gatherings, best part is you don't have to worry if someone doesn't show up that you don't have the dinner rolls and its great fun for those wanting to try something new.

If your going to do it all on you own, don't forget something sweet, tis the season for it

Answer 5

Sounds like you're serving the appetizer course! Here are some ideas:

1. Hot artichoke and spinach dip served with blue corn tortilla chips.
2. Cheese platter with: brie, manchenga, cambozola, cheddar with artisan crackers
3. Cured meat platter with sopressata, peppered salami, capicola, prosciutto
4. Fresh veges with ranch dip

I'd stay away from the pizza and only serve small amounts of the other. Since they are going to be eating a full meal within a short time of leaving your house, I'd keep it simple, short, sweet and flavorful!

Answer 6

Cream Cheese Spinch Bowl
But two of those sourdough bread rounds, u know the big ones. Carve out the inside to make a bread bowl.
On one platter u serve this: mix some soft cream cheese with fresh chopped spinach and green onions, put in bread bowl, and on platter supply club crackers.
On the other platter u serve this: place ranch dressing in bread bowel and supply on platter fresh veggies.
You can also make a cheese and meat tray with crackers and small bread squares for those that eat meat the can partake, for those that dont, they can eat the cheese only.

Answer 7

Try Boulibasse - a fish stew from France really easy, dead posh and very tasty.

First fry off two leaks, one onion, two celery sticks, one clove of garlic until just soft.

Add two pints of water, two fish stock cubes, one can of tomatoes, tomatoe paste and a pinch of safron (also the outer peel of an orange) - boil for half an hour then discard a third of the vegatables.

Now liquidise and put aside until you are ready to eat.

5 mins before eating get the liquid boiling and put in 8 portions of a cheap fish (cod, whiting or salmon) boil for 5 mins just before serving add a pound of seafood cocktail (prawns squid etc).

And serve with crutons with a dip made of crushed garlic, mayo and some tabasco.

They will think you are a cooking god!!!!!!

Answer 8

Pizza is fine.... don't get it cut into triangles nbut have it cut into (approx) 2 inch squares instead. Keep the scrapes (excess cut off) for your self.
Crudites are just fine. Mix up a few small bowls (for dipping) of olive oil & good mustard OR olive oil and black olive pate.

Serve chilled white wine or a not-to-strong (skip the brandy) white wine sangria.

Answer 9

Finger foods, would be the best no reason to go all out for just that short of time of entertaining, have drinks and some snacks out.

Answer 10

I think a nice meat and cheese plate would be nice...something from like Hickory Farms.

You have put out mustard and horseradish sauces too.