Xmas buffet this weekend .....HELP!!!!!!!!?!
.....only 2 days to prepare, hot/cold buffet that is cheap and easy as i have to do this on my own with very little time...only problem is my quests love traditional and also different foods also i need to think of some good table decorations and drinks...aaaaahhhhhhhh im stressing xx
Answers: I am hosting a xmas party for 8 at my house this weekend.......
.....only 2 days to prepare, hot/cold buffet that is cheap and easy as i have to do this on my own with very little time...only problem is my quests love traditional and also different foods also i need to think of some good table decorations and drinks...aaaaahhhhhhhh im stressing xx
Cook a turkey on Friday. The whole works, stuffing and all with extra stuffing on the side. Make a good gravy, double or triple the gravy recipe. Slice the turkey and put it in a large baking tray, cover with the gravy and refrigerate until 1 hour before the party. Re-heat at 250F for one hour. Same goes for the mashed potatoes, prepare the day before, mash and place in a casserole dish to bake on party day. They can be put in the oven at the same time as the turkey. Get whole cranberries and make sauce (recipe on the bag) or buy it in cans. It's really not hard to make and will look like you went the extra mile, that too can be made the day ahead. Pick a veggie of choice, brussell sprouts, garlic green beans, whatever. A dish of mashed turnips. And whatever you choose for dessert. For a beverage you can make a punch for all to share in, something pretty and red, you'll find a zillion recipes on-line. One I use is equal parts ginger-ale and pineapple juice, a block of sweetened frozen strawberries and a tub of rasberry sherbet on top. You can add liquor if you want it spiked. Believe it or not, a turkey at this time of year is cheaper than just about anything you can buy. A 5 lb. bag of potatoes is cheap, cheap, cheap.
For table decor, keep it simple, too much is just, well, too much! A table cloth and a few candles woven through your platters will do the trick. If you choose you can add a little pine clipped from a nearby pine tree for decor and fragrance.
go to asda they sell all the xmas nibbles for ￡1 a box or bag and they have loads to pick from - so easy
Get some imitation crab meat and wrap bacon around it. Secure with toothpicks and make a nice horseradish sauce for dipping. Set up a veggie platter with a ranch dip for those who don't eat meat or are watching their weight. Cold cut platters work well too. Simple drinks can range from a good wine to a non alcoholic punch with ginger ale and cranberry juice with some fruit in it. You can also go to Rachael Ray's recipe site on www.foodtv.com and get some really quick and easy ideas.
WalMart has a precooked boneless ham that's around $7 or $8 for about 5 lbs. Just slice it and serve it cold, or heat it first. Have some nice crusty rolls with it.
Some other ideas for cheap and easy are pasta salad, macaroni and cheese, raw veggies (baby carrots, celery, mushrooms, cucumber spears, radishes, etc.) and dip. Maybe a platter of cheese and crackers.
And, cookies of course!
Here's a great festive salad:
Holiday Raspberry Salad
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Frozen Raspberries
1 can (15 oz.) Applesauce
2 (3 oz.) pkgs. Raspberry Jello
2 cups Hot Water
Dissolve Jello in 2 cups hot water. Add applesauce and thawed raspberries. DO NOT ADD additional cold water to the Jello. Chill until set. Don't worry about a little berry juice, but don't buy berries packed in juice. If so, drain them. You can use strawberry Jello with frozen stawberries, or orange Jello with canned mandarin oranges, instead.
For decorations on the table, how about a clear glass hurricane vase filled with glass ornaments, with some evergreen sprigs and maybe pinecones sprayed gold tucked around it?
To drink, how about a holiday punch?
1 quart cranberry juice
1 c. sugar
2 c. orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
3/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 c. chilled ginger ale
1 pint rainbow sherbet
In a large drink container, blend cranberry juice, sugar, and other fruit juices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
At serving time, stir in the rainbow sherbet and ginger ale.
You can make ice cubes in advance out of any fruit juice thinned with water (3 parts fruit juice to one part water) which you have on hand.
shrimp chips dip
Visit www.kraft.com for good and easy ideas.
Hop to it, Honeypot!!!
Order it from Luby's
