Cocktail Par-tay suggestions needed!

[Mermaid]

My daughter Philippa is going to her first prom on Saturday. A bunch of her friends are coming over that afternoon--first the girls then the boys. She told me all the parents are then coming over at 5 pm for photos and general oohing and aaahing. I have to throw a cocktail par-tay!

I've never done one of them before. Dinner parties, yes. I know how to make an excellent dinner. But the befores? Clueless as to what hors d'oevres are all about. Every cocktail party I've gone to is about the cocktail in my hand and the conversation. I can't remember the food!

Please help me set a pretty horsey dor table!!! I promise to share prom pictures!

[shakennotstirred]

What kind of appetizers would you like to make? I have lots of appetizer recipes but nothing too fancy. I always get requests for the recipe when I make Teriyaki Shrimp & Tomato Onion Phyllo Pizza for par-tays. Let me know if you are interested & I'll dig them up & post them.

[Jdarg]

What kind of appetizers would you like to make? I have lots of appetizer recipes but nothing too fancy. I always get requests for the recipe when I make Teriyaki Shrimp & Tomato Onion Phyllo Pizza for par-tays. Let me know if you are interested & I'll dig them up & post them.

Oh! Oh! I want that recipe!!!! (please:oops: )

[Beach Runner]

I always hire a caterer for parties like this. I've found that it's no more expensive than doing it myself. Plus, I'm not too tired to enjoy my own party. You know, the day after you and I and another SoWaller had lunch together a few weeks ago, I gave an engagement party for 100. We drove from Seagrove to GA that AM, showered and dressed, attended our party, enjoyed it, and let the caterers do the work.

Dinner parties are a different animal for me. I like them small (8-14) and intimate so I can enjoy my guests individually and share my love of (and IMHO gift for) cooking with them.

However, for a quickie beach cocktail party we do bruschetta with three different toppings - tomato (recipe below), pesto (just use pesto in a jar from Modica), and white beans (Progresso cannellini beans doctored up with garlic, parsley, and a bit of lemon), plus an olive medley and some nuts.

Bruschetta with Tomatoes and Basil

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

6-8 basil leaves, slivered, plus a few more for a garnish

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)

½ teaspoon garlic salt (or to taste)

½ teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)

1 baguette, sliced thinly on the diagonal



Combine all ingredients except the last. Put olive oil on bread and broil until brown; repeat for other side. Serve tomato mixture over the bread, garnished with basil.

[shakennotstirred]

Oh! Oh! I want that recipe!!!! (please:oops: )

Sure jdarg! Which one?

[scrltbegonya]

My daughter Philippa is going to her first prom on Saturday. A bunch of her friends are coming over that afternoon--first the girls then the boys. She told me all the parents are then coming over at 5 pm for photos and general oohing and aaahing. I have to throw a cocktail par-tay!

I've never done one of them before. Dinner parties, yes. I know how to make an excellent dinner. But the befores? Clueless as to what hors d'oevres are all about. Every cocktail party I've gone to is about the cocktail in my hand and the conversation. I can't remember the food!

Please help me set a pretty horsey dor table!!! I promise to share prom pictures!

Wow! Proms have come a long way...or maybe I didn't go to the right ones

[peapod1980]

My daughter Philippa is going to her first prom on Saturday. A bunch of her friends are coming over that afternoon--first the girls then the boys. She told me all the parents are then coming over at 5 pm for photos and general oohing and aaahing. I have to throw a cocktail par-tay!

I've never done one of them before. Dinner parties, yes. I know how to make an excellent dinner. But the befores? Clueless as to what hors d'oevres are all about. Every cocktail party I've gone to is about the cocktail in my hand and the conversation. I can't remember the food!

Please help me set a pretty horsey dor table!!! I promise to share prom pictures!

One thing I like to do that has nice color and great, fresh taste is what I loosely call Caprese salad on a stick. I take a grape tomato (whole if it's small, in 1/2 if it's larger), cut a small hunk of good mozzarella, tear a small piece of basil, spear it all on a nice toothpick. Arrange on a platter, drizzle some nice olive oil over all the spears, ta-da!

[Jdarg]

Sure jdarg! Which one?

the pizza one.

please

[Johnrudy]

www.semihomemade.com
www.marthastewart.com
www.southernliving.com
www.hgtv.com

Mermaid,
These sites are a few that I always turn to when I have questions on certain types of entertaining. The Semi-homemade site even has table decorating ideas, background music suggestions. I use these sites for lots of different holidays, kid's parties, & entertaining in general.

Good luck!

[Miss Kitty]

One thing I like to do that has nice color and great, fresh taste is what I loosely call Caprese salad on a stick. I take a grape tomato (whole if it's small, in 1/2 if it's larger), cut a small hunk of good mozzarella, tear a small piece of basil, spear it all on a nice toothpick. Arrange on a platter, drizzle some nice olive oil over all the spears, ta-da!

Love this! You could do peas on a stick as well!

[shakennotstirred]

the pizza one.

please

Here it is:

Tomato-Onion Phyllo Pizza

5 Tablespoons butter or margarine – melted
7 sheets Phyllo dough (18 x 4)
7 Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup thinly sliced onion
7-9 Plum tomatoes, sliced
1 ½ teaspoon minced fresh oregano or ½ teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried
Salt & Pepper to taste

Brush a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan with some of the melted butter. Lay a sheet of phyllo in pan, folding edges to fit (keep remaining dough covered with waxed paper to keep from drying out.) Brush dough with butter and sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers five times, folding edges over for each layer.

Top with remaining dough, folding edges to fit pan; brush with remaining butter. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Arrange onion and tomatoes over the cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and thyme, salt, pepper and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Enjoy!

[Mermaid]

Thanks so much--I knew you'd all have suggestions for me. Okay, here's the table thus far:

cheese (probably blue and brie) and crackers
bruschetta (thanks BR; my brother does the same and everyone always raves)
Peapod on a toothpick
fruit such as grapes and strawberries

I have some sundried tomatoes (the oil packed kind). I usually serve them on a cracker with cream cheese but does anyone know something more interesting to do them?

I will definitely check out johnrudy's links and shakennotstirred, do you have a recipe that will compliment my meagre offerings thus far?

[Mermaid]

Shakennotstirred! We were posting at the same time. That recipe looks heavenly. Thanks!!!

[Franny]

I always love the Sundried tomatoes at Cocoons. I believe he just adds green olives, blue cheese chunks, etc...yummy, pretty and easy, but I agree with the catering idea!

[Mermaid]

I always love the Sundried tomatoes at Cocoons. I believe he just adds green olives, blue cheese chunks, etc...yummy, pretty and easy, but I agree with the catering idea!

Franny, how do you mean? Like mix chopped sundried tomatoes with olives and blue cheese and serve on top of crackers? I totally forgot about having a nice assortment of olives; I'll have to lay some of those out.

I think I could 'cater' from Costco since I have to go there this week anyway. They make nice sushi trays. Or do you think sushi with all the Italian-y food on the table would be a litle off-putting?

[kathydwells]

Franny, how do you mean? Like mix chopped sundried tomatoes with olives and blue cheese and serve on top of crackers? I totally forgot about having a nice assortment of olives; I'll have to lay some of those out.

I think I could 'cater' from Costco since I have to go there this week anyway. They make nice sushi trays. Or do you think sushi with all the Italian-y food on the table would be a litle off-putting?

Mermie Sushi is great anytime, in my opinion!!!!!

[dbuck]

I would axe the sushi. JMO. But everything else sounds great.

[shakennotstirred]

Shakennotstirred! We were posting at the same time. That recipe looks heavenly. Thanks!!!

You are welcome!

If you are going to Costco - they have really good mozzarella balls marinated in oil. And their jarred Bruschetta is pretty good (if you are looking to "Fake It, Not Make It"). I have received recipe requests for that as well.

[Miss Kitty]

I would axe the sushi. JMO. But everything else sounds great.

Agree....no bait without poles.

[TooFarTampa]

OK, this is probably so simple and obvious it is tacky but I just love parmesan-artichoke dip. It always goes fast when I make it. 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and well chopped, mixed in with 1 cup mayo and 1 cup Parmesan. Put in an ovensafe dish and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly brown on top. I like it with tortilla chips but you can do pretty much anything.

I have also done bruschetta, and what has worked for me is ideally mixing it all up the night before so the flavors have time to blend. Yum!

Please post pics of the big night!

[Jdarg]

OK, this is probably so simple and obvious it is tacky but I just love parmesan-artichoke dip. It always goes fast when I make it. 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and well chopped, mixed in with 1 cup mayo and 1 cup Parmesan. Put in an ovensafe dish and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly brown on top. I like it with tortilla chips but you can do pretty much anything.

I have also done bruschetta, and what has worked for me is ideally mixing it all up the night before so the flavors have time to blend. Yum!

Please post pics of the big night!

I can eat an entire dish of the artichoke dip!

[peapod1980]

Thanks so much--I knew you'd all have suggestions for me. Okay, here's the table thus far:

cheese (probably blue and brie) and crackers
bruschetta (thanks BR; my brother does the same and everyone always raves)
Peapod on a toothpick
fruit such as grapes and strawberries

Ouch!

[Mermaid]

Ouch!

Peapod! I thought you'd like being so instantly slim.

[Parrothead74]

Hey Mermaid, I can't wait to meet your daughter. Did you tell her all about the hottie Phead?

[peapod1980]

Peapod! I thought you'd like being so instantly slim.

[Jdarg]

man you are dense lately!

she's calling you a toothpick!!

Somebody better call me a toothpick soon or it's back on the cocktails!!

[Jdarg]

And speaking of toothpicks- Mermaid looks like the chick in her avatar. Very much the hottie.

[peapod1980]

man you are dense lately!

she's calling you a toothpick!!

Somebody better call me a toothpick soon or it's back on the cocktails!!

Uh, I think you better reread the post, darling:

Peapod! I thought you'd like being so instantly slim.
Sounds more like a weight loss suggestion to me!

[southof30A]

OK, this is probably so simple and obvious it is tacky but I just love parmesan-artichoke dip. It always goes fast when I make it. 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and well chopped, mixed in with 1 cup mayo and 1 cup Parmesan. Put in an ovensafe dish and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly brown on top. I like it with tortilla chips but you can do pretty much anything.

I have also done bruschetta, and what has worked for me is ideally mixing it all up the night before so the flavors have time to blend. Yum!

Please post pics of the big night!

Your artichoke dip recipe plus one small can of green chiles mixed in too.

Triscuits are my favorite means of conveyance from bowl to mouth.

[Beach Crazy]

Thanks so much--I knew you'd all have suggestions for me. Okay, here's the table thus far:

cheese (probably blue and brie) and crackers
bruschetta (thanks BR; my brother does the same and everyone always raves)
Peapod on a toothpick
fruit such as grapes and strawberries

I have some sundried tomatoes (the oil packed kind). I usually serve them on a cracker with cream cheese but does anyone know something more interesting to do them?

I will definitely check out johnrudy's links and shakennotstirred, do you have a recipe that will compliment my meagre offerings thus far?

Hi Mermaid! You could also do some fruit dip to go with the fruit. Maybe hollow out a pineapple to put it in, super cute!

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese softened
1 small jar marshmallow creme
1/2 crushed pineapple

Blend w/ mixer.

[Jdarg]

Easy and beautiful-- an aioli platter. Roasted or grilled veggies with either purchased or homemade aioli. Mermaid, your artistic flare should put this one over the top! And it's a little different from the raw veggies.

I roast new potatoes, red and yellow peppers, chunks of zucchini and squash, green beans, asparagus, and green onions (if they are fat ones). Classic platters have artichokes, meats and cod, hard boiled eggs, and a few other things that I can't remember...

[Franny]

Franny, how do you mean? Like mix chopped sundried tomatoes with olives and blue cheese and serve on top of crackers? I totally forgot about having a nice assortment of olives; I'll have to lay some of those out.

I think I could 'cater' from Costco since I have to go there this week anyway. They make nice sushi trays. Or do you think sushi with all the Italian-y food on the table would be a litle off-putting?

Sorry for the delay..have not posted lately. The sundried tomatoes are left whole and marinated with the olives, blue cheese, or feta cheese etc in oil. Heck I'm making this this weekend!!

[Donna]

Mermaid, there is a savory cheesecake with sundried tomatoes in it that is wonderful. You can make it well in advance of the party and serve with a selection of crackers or breads. We prefer thin slices of dark country breads (like olive or walnut) over crackers these days. Cheese straws are also a favorite of everyone. I like to make the dough and then cut out star-shaped shapes, place a pecan half in the middle of each. We stack them into a little pyramid, something like a cookie tree at Christmas.

Costco does have some good selections, including the shrimp platters and baked bite-size hors d'ouvres. While they have become a huge cliche, those little bite-sized quiche hors d'ouvres disappear instantly at our parties or we can use the leftovers for breakfast the next day.

I agree with BeachRunner about the catering of parties. Unless you really enjoy the cooking and have the energy for both party and partying, the caterer is the way go to. We hire a personal chef from one of the local college programs or wineries, who charges a very reasonable rate and brings a pal along if he needs prep or serving assistance.

Also, I have stopped keeping cookbooks at the beach house. One can find a dozen or more recipes for virtually any dish or category of food imagineable on the Internet. I just boot up the laptop and do a search keyed from "Recipes." I would say the best I've found is the one called "Epicurean, etc." These recipes also include ratings and comments from those who have tried them.

Good luck with your party and Congrats! on your daughter's graduation, Mermaid.