So, I'm throwing a potluck party for my birthday (the birthday is 9/18, but the party will be 9/23). Ambitious little me would love to throw a dinner party and social little me would like to invite 30 people, but poor little me doesn't have a catering staff hidden out back. Potluck is the happy compromise.
Only, you see, as a semi-urban somewhat hip soon-to-be-28-year-old, while I myself have a reasonable grasp of culinary artisanry, many of my otherwise wonderful friends do not. With that in mind, it became a "potluck or bring booze" party.
SO: chances are pretty good that I might be the only one (or one of the few) to bring food to my party. And I like my friends to be happy and well-fed. I was thinking about making 3-5 dishes that are somewhat easy, somewhat inexpensive, possibly vegetarian, maybe ethnic, slightly filling and altogether tasty. Probably along the lines of tapas, but not necessarily tapas in the strictest sense. Maybe fresh bread and good brie sits next to a pile of something small, fattening and wrapped in an exotic form of bacon.
What tasty treats should I make for my guests?
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Comments: 24
Tim
MaryAnne: the crock pot is a great suggestion. I always forget that I own not only 1 crock pot, but 2! Chili in one and cheese in the other, maybe.
Werner: I LOVE the idea of outsourcing. I did some of that for my party last year. BJ's (or Sam's Club) has all kinds of yummy little appetizers that you throw on a cookie sheet and pop in the oven. Whole Foods also has an unbelievable spread of prepared foods to choose from.
Great ideas so far! What else? What's your secret recipe that you bring to every family dinner/reunion/party/BBQ?
Interpret as you see fit.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jps?articleid=281474976790203
Make a pitcher of half club soda or seltzer and half apple cider. It will quqench thirst better than 100% juice and taste fresher.
For an alcoholic punch, make above and add 2-3 shots applejack and some diced Granny Smith apples (because Granny Smiths do not discolor the way others do).
Make a pot of butternut or hubbard squash soup and set out small styrofoam (if you must, real preferred) bowls to serve.
Make a platter of cheeses and sausages.
Make a tortilla española--or an assortment of frittatas (cut into 2" squares to serve with toothpicks).
Paella served at room temp does not have to be made at the last minute, and it celebrates the return of months with R for enjoying the clams!
Bake quiche in a square or rectangular false-bottomed pan to easily cut into 2-3" squares to serve in tapa size.
Invite me and I'll bring the ensaladilla rusa! ;-)
An assortment of olives and pickles always goes down well with the booze!
Spanakopita. Small stuffed cabbage or grape leaves. Stuffed jalapeños or other peppers. The ever-present crudités platter with at least 2 dip coices. Small stuffed tomatoes. Teeny kebabs (toothpick size).
Ask if you want recipes.
Happy upcoming b'day!
Party Omlettes
Give each guest a quart size zip lock bag and have them write their name on it with a marker. Crack two eggs into the bag. Let them add ingredients of their choice that you have in bowls - black olives, diced ham, cooked bacon, grated cheeses, sauted onions or peppers or mushrooms ... you get the idea. Seal the bag pressing out all the air. Slip the bag into a big pot of boiling water and allow to cook for "exactly 13 minutes". Remove from the water and slide the omlette onto a plate. She said "Be prepared to be amazed."
My only word of caution would be the 13 minutes would really depend on how big the pot of water and how many omlettes are being cooked at one time. I guess if you take the bag out of the water and feel it (use a pot holder or towel) you will know if it is done or not.
Good luck.
Cold cuts are a good idea. I think Martha had a party idea a long time ago, too, for sort of an upscale cold cut thing, where you do a baked ham and let guests carve and make sandwiches with good mustard and crusty bread. Although I don't think I'll be making a ham!
Kate's my sister, say hi to my sister too!
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976785317
So far I have nailed down one recipe for sure: Cheddar and Calvados (apple brandy) fondue, for my little tiny crock pot. Served with crisp apple slices and maybe some fresh sourdough bread. YUM!
fall - a soup (pumpkin? wild rice? something easy?? hah)
nut breads?
a huge pot of chili with fixins...
a few roasted chickens, and some yummy thanksgiving-ish dishes to go with - go to trader joe's and get the roasted corn. make some mashed taters.
or buy things. i get too tired now to cook for a party so i try to do one-dish things (in crockpots, etc) and supplement with bought things. i know. shame on me!
what kind of cake are you making?? heh heh. that's the best part!
AND everyone brought so many goodies! The lovely Maria brought empanadas, Tommy made brownies and mexican dip, Katie made guacamole, Barnaby brought awesome pastries from the bakery, Greg and Amanda brought these awesome little vegan corn cakes with olive tapenade, and a plethora of beer and wine made an appearance as well.
I had the makings for spiced (and spiked) cider, but it ended up being such a warm night that I skipped it. I also had the makings for that cheddar fondue, but ran out of time.... until the next morning. With kielbasa, bread and apples it made a heck of a good hangover breakfast!