Having a small gathering of friends over for housewarming?!
Answers: We're having a few close friends over for housewarming, what kind of easy foods should I prepare??
If its a small gathering, i would make a big batch of pasta, maybe something like shrimp scampi, some good crusty bread, a tossed or ceasar salad, good wine, and something light and delicious for desert...like maybe tiramasu.
A buffet would be easier with anything that can be easily eaten with fingers. However if you fancy going formal how about a nice 3 course meal.
Start with a simple home made soup and crusty roll, then the main course followed by a light pud...as most people are stuffed by then. If you like add games between the courses to give people a chance to let their food go down.
SINCE you said that it was a small gathering, i would do finger foods. I would serve a different variety of dips (pizza dip is very very good, spinach and advocado dip. ect) and serve it with some tortilla chip and/or french bread. I would also have a veggie platter with some dip as well.... and then maybe a different assortment of wings on a platter... I would serve it all buffet style and when its gone, its gone. decorate the buffet as you like...
buffet, sweet and sour meat balls,buy meatballs in a bag make sauce with ketchp and grape jelly mix together and put meat balls in crock pot. chicken wings cook in bq sauce, veggie plate, dips and chips,pot skins. let your mind wonder.
I like having a table of finger foods. I also like to serve a pretty good variety of hot and colds that can be made in advance. I also like to take help from the store and dress things up.
For example I always have hummus and pita at a party. Truthfully, I don't need that much tahini, so making it from scratch is silly for my purposes. I buy a few containers of plain tahini and put them in my own dishes. I pour a little bit of flavored olive oil on the top of each dish. I always have olive oil, so I simmer a few cloves of garlic, chilis, lemon peels, etc. Whatever. Also, buy a variety of cheeses and put them on your own cutting board with crusty bread and a good variety of quality crackers.
For the homemade stuff one thing that goes over really well is this recipe for veggie pizza. Take a peek at the recipe, it's not what you think. http://recipes.kaboose.com/vegetable-piz...
I also make sure that I have at least one protein. For my own ease I always skewer them. Then night before I will season the meat on a cookie tray so I can just pop them in the oven right before I am serving. I also prefer to cut a tender meat into bite size pieces to there's no double dipping. If your party is small, one good steak and 1 chicken breast should be fine. Serve with different types of sauces. I generally like to do a spicy peanut, teriyaki, and for the beef a horshradish mayo. You can buy or make these.
And of course a few reds and whites to accompany.
I agree with others, just do some finger foods. Some of my suggestions would be, meatballs the way you like them, shrimp cocktail, hot wings or lemon pepper wings [these can be picked up from a restaurant] vegetable platters [these can be picked up from your local grocer] salad and cupcakes or truffles[pick up from your local bakery or grocer]. If you're a drinker make some cocktails, if not make a punch decorated with fresh fruit. And to top it off buy some butter mints or Andes candies to refreshen the breath after the wonder finger foods.
since its only a few close friends start with jumbo shrimp cocktail then roast a beef tenderloin sliced for simple and (and elegant) sandwiches add small crusty roll add several condiments horseradish sauce,sliced plum tomatoes,fine cheese ect. displayed nicely of course serve plenty of chilled champagne too! it will give you plenty of time to enjoy your guests as well as showing off your new home
check out Martha Stewart's web site she has great ideas.
how bout meatballs or little weenies for some kind of meat, a veggie pizza (you know the croissant type with cream chez), stuffed mushrooms, chez and sausage, shrimp, taco dip, and of course something sweet! make your table look pretty by elevating items on phone books covered with a table cloth. maybe make a ginger bead house that says home sweet home for a decoartion on your table! congrats on the new house!
I think lasagna is as easy as anything. You can serve it buffet-style with a good salad, some bread, and a rich dessert. The best is two desserts: pie & cookies, cheesecake & brownies, etc.
A Mexican Food Buffet
rolled tacos
guacamole
bean dip
chips
quesadeas
sopapias for dessert
ham sandwich dips chips
Here are some ideas:
1. Hot artichoke dip with blue corn tortilla chips
2. Lil' smokies baked in crescent rolls with mustard
3. Chili Cream Cheese dip (cream cheese topped with your favorite chili, shredded cheddar, and heated until bubbling, top with sliced olives, cilantro and sour cream (opt.))
4. Cheese platter with artisan crackers and cheese
5. Crisp green and red grapes, apples etc.
6. Salami/cream cheese and cornichon rollups
7. Baked ham to be sliced for sandwiches, served with mustards and rolls
8. Asparagas cooked crisp-tender and wrapped in prosciutto.
9. Vege platter with ranch dip
10. Prawns on ice with cocktail sauce
11. Savory meatballs in a breadbowl with marinara for dipping.
Keep it simple, prepare finger foods:
Veggie Pizza Bites
Fruit Salsa
Stuffed Mushrooms
Fruit Tarts
Little Sandwiches
etc.