Food for a Party
I am having a party on Saturday afternoon and am trying to figure out what to do about food. I could get a fruit and veggie platter, but would prefer to get the most bang for my buck. I was thinking about maybe making a bunch of guacamole and chip dip and having that. Any other ideas? Know of an inexpensive catering company? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.
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12 Comments:
What's the occasion? Will it be outdoors, indoors or both? How many people are coming? Will children be in attendance? Any vegetarians, vegans or food allergies in the group? Are your friends food adventurers or do they like traditional fare?
CJ McD at 4:01PM on 07/16/09
Good point, forgot to mention some things. It will be outdoors for my 25th birthday. No kids in attendance. Probably about 15-20 young professionals and they all seem fairly adventurous food-wise, but traditional is also good. Thanks for the questions.
avideater at 4:07PM on 07/16/09
pick a theme. if you want guacamole then go mexican. always a crowd favorite. various chips and salsas are easy. you could make a bean dip, queso and guacamole easy and cheap. if you want more food then snacks you can do quesadillas cut into pieces. prepare them ahead of time so all you have to do is heat them up when you want to eat.
jaf at 4:23PM on 07/16/09
Just doing apps/munchies, or entrees too? Beverages? Any interest in making your party a pot luck?
Kerosena at 4:24PM on 07/16/09
@ Kerosena - probably just apps, munchies and beer =)
avideater at 4:40PM on 07/16/09
that sounds like a grad school happy hour!
when I was in grad school we always had chips & salsa/guac plates, cheese & crackers plates, and veggies & dip plates plus potato chips or pretzels AND beer. for some reason log-o-beef was always popular with cracker and cheese...
it may be fun to serve tortilla chips and quesadillas (or something similar) with guacamole and different kinds of salsa.
don't get a fruit & veggie tray.. they are a rip-off. it's much cheaper to cut up your own and assemble (besides, there are snack-y vegetables like cherry tomatoes and snap peas that you don't even have to cut).
hmw0029 at 4:54PM on 07/16/09
How about backing a Chevy Nova to the party with a trunk full of White Castle burgers, Taco Bell chilitos, taquitos, 5 ice cream pails with red handles, Colt 45, and a ton of ice?
Just kidding. Ugh.
If there isn't very much traveling, there's always various mini-quiches, mini pizzas, mini pie tarts, mini eclairs, mini whatever. It may be too intensive this time of year, heating up your kitchen and all...?
Cassaendra at 8:15PM on 07/16/09
@Cassaendra- I am so there lol.
@avideater-I second the beer.
If it is hot outside I would go for things that are on ice: chips, salsas, caesar salads (any salads), gazpacho, things like that.
pjracz10 at 8:30PM on 07/16/09
Theme party foods are fun. The Mexican food suggestion is great. Put a pork shoulder in the slow cooker with seasonings. Skim the fat and shred when done. Put out a "taco bar" with all the fixings. Don't forget a nice big batch of black or refried beans- from scratch-- very inexpensive. Add some corn on the cob, guacamole, limes, cilantro, cheeses, corn and bean salsa, sliced green onions, jicama salad, pickled red onions and radishes, etc. to round out the menu. Don't forget some grilled corn on the cob with chile and cotija cheese. Slice some melons for dessert and if you're ambitious, make flan.
If you're grilling, keep it simple. Do a burger bar with maybe a beef and some other meat burger. Add assorted breads/buns and an assortment of toppings. Bacon, sliced cheeses, sweet and carmelized onions, pickles, salsa, pickled jalepenos---
You could even do theme burgers-- Greek, Italian, Tex-Mex, etc.
Toss in some pasta and potato salads, some kind of cowboy or baked beans. Lay a platter with baby greens; then slice tomatoes and lay on top. Add some fancy olives, fresh herbs, maybe some fresh mozarella diced small and sprinkled atop (stretch that dollar) and a beautiful balsamic viniagrette. Grill some garlic bread to serve along side.
Serve ice cream and fruit or brownies for dessert. Tuck a candle in each one for fun.
Bottom line- most bang for your buck-- cook from scratch and make your own cheese, fruit and veggie plates.
Serve what's on sale and in season in your area.
Biggest question-- do you want to make things ahead or are you thinking about cooking while your friends are hanging out?
p.s. Don't forget to have a great time! Happy birthday!
CJ McD at 8:32PM on 07/16/09
7 layer dips are also pretty easy- just need some canned beans, corn, chopped tomatoes, salsa, sour cream (I mix a bit of cumin or taco seasoning into mine), guac, etc. and people always love it.
Make your own pizzas are also pretty fun and lets people be creative. Depends how many people you're inviting, though, because you may have limited space.
Shish kabobs are also good, and can be customized if needed. Plus, you can get creative with sauces. Some grilled corn on the side and you're good to go.
For dessert some simple cut up watermelon is good and refreshing.
noanise at 9:38AM on 07/17/09
You can definitely cut up fruits and veggies yourself to save money and just display them on your own platters. The links show instructions on how to make great platters for each.
Are you serving a full meal or just snacks/appetizers?
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 4:26PM on 07/17/09
How about quesadillas? They're good finger food once they're sliced up since they're pretty self-contained.
I second the cutting up your own fruits and veggies thing. The pre-cut ones are ridiculously expensive. If you have a Costco or Sam's Club near you, they sell huge boxes of cherry tomatoes, bags of pre-washed baby carrots, etc. for cheap.
If you want to go the frozen/just heat route, I've heard good things about the Savorings (sp?) brand. But I haven't tried them myself...
Takat
http://katacomb.blogspot.com/
Takat at 5:25PM on 07/17/09