OK Foodies, here's the deal.

[Adillo303]

DW has decreed a "Holiday Party". The date is January 3. Hence not X-Mas or New Years.

There are a dozen people invited. We are not serving a meal, just hors deuvers, etc type of stuff. I am thinking the 3 or four tiered trays, maybe 3 or four. One deserts the other tow or three are open. Deserts Pie Suesan's chocolate cherry pastery and the raspberry cream cheese bars and something else yet to be determined.

Coctail hot dogs are in mind. A questadilla cut small, wings....

I would like some staple ideas ana maybe a "blow them away or two" If everyone attends it wail be a rare meeting of my step children and wives / girlfrined and my daughter and family. Also some folks who do not know either set of kids. I am looking for the food to kind of be the focus and rewa people together.

All ideas would be appreciated.

Thank You

AC

[pdswife]

How about some spanikopita or stuffed mushrooms?

[VeraBlue]

How about a crostini with thinly sliced beef, caramelized onions and a crumble of bleu cheese?

A corn blini with diced tomato and cilantro with a couple of black beans on top?

A very tiny new potato, halved and baked, scoop out a tiny well and fill with sour cream and top with chives or caviar or crumbled bacon?

A steamed shrimp wrapped in a snow pea with a tiny smidge of hot pepper jelly?

Endive leave with a slice of grilled pear, goat cheese and a drizzle of honey?

Crab fritter?

Dried date stuffed with boursin, wrapped in bacon and grilled?

[pdswife]

How about sending them to Vera's house?

Those all sound so nice!

[pacanis]

Bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, Meadowbrook French Onion Dip.

Yeah, send them to Vera's.
Hey wait. Maybe you can hire her! Vera, you still lookin'?

[jpmcgrew]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdswife How about sending them to Vera's house? Those all sound so nice!

[Uncle Bob]

Peel um & Eat um Swimps!

[PieSusan]

Check out the appetizers that I posted. Mini quiche are easy and always yummy. So are the other things that I posted. Not hard to make, either. Crudite with spinach dip in a hollowed out pumpernickel bread is always good. Just make sure there are no double dippers. Also the hummus and other bean dips and pita. Those little meatballs everyone loves. Chicken drummettes (part of the wing). rumaki--everyone loves bacon.

As for desserts, I like to make a variety of flavors and textures: something chocolate, something with fruit, something with nuts and something like a cheesecake. It is often what fancy restaurants do.
E.g., French apple tarts, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and the Hungarian nut horns would be nice.

[Adillo303]

Well, I think the guests are going to be pleased with what I have to work with so far. The words that I understand sound like great food. For the MANY words that I do not understand I am now going to be googleing my butt off. You all are headed in the direction that I want to go. I believe that out of the ordinary food can give a diverse group a focal point ot draw together.

P. S. If I don't screw it up I am looking forward to the experience.

Any ideas as to what I can make ahead of time and what I have to do just before?

I'm off to Google and to read about the appies posted by Susan.

Thank You all and any additions willl be appreciated.

AC

[Russellkhan]

Hummus and/or baba ganoush with pitas (preferably all homemade, but you can buy pitas if you don't have time to bake them.

Mushroom caps stuffed with feta and spinach and baked.