Menu Help - Fall Housewarming/Engagement Party **Advice??**?!
Menu Help - Fall Housewarming/Engagement Party **Advice??**?
Our mothers are having a housewarming/engagement party at our new home this weekend. His mom is very much into the champagne/Greek band party while my mom is more of the 'down home' entertainer. We are in PA so fall is here and a great time for a cozy get-together
As always, we are trying to find a middle with the two and trying to do a 'nice' fall party. We think about 100 people or so will come between 1-6pm (structured as an open house).
So far on the menu, we have this recipe for BBQ pork sandwhich meat that stays warm in a crockpot (very warming for fall and great tasting recipe) with sliced cheddar cheese and buns.
We are also going to have a fruit tray, veggie tray, Feta/Olives/Pita Tray, Grape Leaves, and spanokopita (and desserts & drinks).
I know we need some more sides that aren't just foods to pick at - what opinions do you have? We are staying away from simple potato salad and trying to be a bit nicer and fallish.
Any advice is GREATLY recommended.
Answers:
Butternut squash make a great side dish that has "autumn" written all over it. I made this recipe this past weekend and it was super.
maple sage butternut squash
2 butternut squash
1 can low-salt chicken broth
1 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
3 tablespoons melted butter
salt
pepper
1. Night before, combine broth, syrup and sage. Refeigerate.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Cut squash in half down their lengths. Remove and discards seeds and pulp. Cut into two inch cubes and place in a large glass baking dish. Brush squash with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pour the broth mixture over the squash and bake for 45 minutes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
5. Serve hot.
I did not do the overnight thing and it turned out great!
Good Luck!
Sounds like you have great dishes already. You have the Greek dishes covered, so how about you side -- what nationality are you? I would serve some of your favorite dishes. Not everything needs to 'coordinate' - have some fun and your guests can pick and choose - or they will have a wonderful sampling. Sounds like so much fun.
you can do a great caramel foundue with pieces of apples and pears or marshmellows
mini s'mores- you make them in the oven before hand
hot spiced cider
I have also seen where you take apple slices and wrap them with ham and cheddar cheese and put a toothpick in them, it's really pretty.
I have a recipe for BBQ water-chestnuts wrapped in bacon that are really warm and fall-ish.
mini apple/ pumpkin pies you make them in the mini muffin pans
good luck,, sounds fun, can I come?? giggle
Your Mom is down-home and it is the fall and football time. Stick with the Pork, I have a great recipe. But add some chili, even chicken chili would go great! Good Luck, I am doing the same thing.
OK, so you want classy but casual, I would go a with a clam-bake style grill out. Just get a ton of corn, potatoes, squash, clams, oysters, etc. any kind of seafood you want to throw on the grill and get it going! It is a bit More sophisticated than the basic BBQ but it is still outside and on the grill so casual. You can also go both ways with the drinks, like an assortment of wine/champagne or beer, since either would go with the meal. I would still do the trays you mentioned for appetizers and little snacks mid-meal, that is a brilliant idea.
Congratulations on your engagement, have fun at the party!
I think your plans sound lovely. I agree with whoever else here suggested your Mom include some of her favorite dishes. It might be nice to have little cards telling people what everything is. I usually do that when I have a table of mixed ethnic foods. You can use the cards like they use for name placement for weddings and parties. What a nice way to combine family traditions - having a mixture of yummy Greek foods from his side and your family favorites.
The most important thing is to just have fun and let family and friends from both sides mingle and get to know each other.
How about sweet potato casserole topped with pecans?
Broccoli casserole:
1 stick real butter
1 large onion chopped
3 - 10 oz boxes frozen chopped broccoli
1 can cream mushroom soup
1 4 oz can sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
plain bread crumbs topping
Boil broccoli, drain. Saute onions in butter till tender. Combine all ingredients in casserole dish. Top with bread crumbs. Bake 350 degrees 30 minutes or till bubbly. Serves 8-10
hi