Archive for Party Food Recipes
Kiddie Tea
Here’s a nice socialization idea for kids, a tea party, complete with grown up fineries and kid’s games. Remember how, as kids, we loved to play dress up and imitate our elders? This party idea will teach them the basics of polite small party talk and buffet table manners.
And it’s fun to watch and facilitate too! Get ready with your cameras!
When to invite the neighborhood kids.
Invitations must be given out 3 days to a week prior to the party. Set the date to a Saturday afternoon when no homework needs to be done. Sunday is family day so better not interfere with that. The official teatime is in the afternoon, a little after lunch time.
Decorate
Let your princess or prince take part in the planning. Regal decorations and tiny silverware will make play tea party seem real and more special. Balloons, streamers and fancy ribbons are a must.
Sandwiches and Fingerfood
Cucumber sandwich - Lightly buttered toast with thinly sliced cucumber fruits and cheese. Nutritious and filling.
Cake - Bake your own or order in. This will make the occasion seem more festive. You must remind the kids though that no one’s going to blow candles on the cake because it’s for tea.
Animal Cookies - These are normal cookies shaped like animals. The trick is in the cookie cutter! Here’s a nice recipe:
4 c. flour
1 c. softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs
Mix the flour, soda and salt together, then add the cream butter slowly. Add the sugar and eggs one at a time and mix. Stir in the vanilla then add flour mixture. Mix. Cover the dough and chill one hour or more. Roll the dough one fourth of an inch thick, then cut out with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly brown.
Tea Party Games
It’s a formal tea party, but the participants are still kids. A print out of a game called What’s that on Old MacDonald’s Farm? will have them learning about farm animals in a fun way. Faciliator adults can guide the kids on what to do, but the fun of discovery should be left to the participants.
Other games include a nice treasure hunt where some gold foil covered chocolates could be hidden in the garden or around the house. Mom escorts can set up stations to keep the kids from getting too enthusiastic and knock over things. This tea party you set up perfectly could be one of the best memories of their childhood.
Mother’s Day Barbecue
Start planning for Mother’s Day! This is perhaps one of the biggest and most celebrated day of the year because it features that one woman who is the most important figure in our lives. What to give a person who knows-all, sees-all and does-all? Daunting, isn’t it!
A typical community event for Mother’s Day is a Barbecue. With a little organization during early May, or even during April, there is no reason why a small or big gathering comprising moms and their families won’t be a success. Simple lists that could grow and party events that could branch out to bigger more complicated ones are the best way to start brainstorming.
Steaks - Marinate in vegetable oil, small amount of soy sauce, crushed garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt, and a pinch of tenderizer. A touch of rosemary will bring out the aroma and flavor of the meat. Marinading should be the night before the party, in a plastic container. A brush must always be available for basting the meat.
Other Must haves:
1. Beverage cooler - People that love to grill love to have others enjoy their work. When you both have friends or the entire community over for a backyard barbeque, give them a cool drink without running back and forth in the house or refilling the ice chest. These coolers keep the temperature constantly cool so no one gets a lukewarm beverage while they wait for grilled food.
2. A Sturdy Grill - Heavy duty grills are always useful to have around. Scout for community members with these and get them involved.
3. Mom Nametags - They are the celebrants. They must wear a name tag to mandate that they should be hugged and kissed during the day. Alternatively, aprons that say Mom’s the Best could be purchased prior to the occasion for distribution or sale.
Happy Pregnancy Party
My sister asked me to brainstorm ideas for a happy pregnancy party and my initial reaction was “what?”. It turns out that she wanted something to celebrate the discovery of her friend’s pregnancy, the two-lines on the pregnancy test strip.
I have several ideas for a small get-together with friends and relatives attending.
The food includes simple chicken dishes. They can order in from a regular fried chicken place or they can fry their own, following authentic restaurant recipes from cookbooks.
The idea is for the guests to gush over the new discovery and reassure the new mom-to-be that her new emotions and the changes in her body are things that all women go through when celebrating the miracle of pregnancy. Changes in one’s body are scary, but her friends are there to convince her that she will still look awesome even in prebaby clothes.
Guests can bring accessories or hand-me-down clothes from previous pregnancies as one necessary expense among pregnant women is clothes that fit. Most preggy dresses are in pastels. Another nice gift to give the mom-to-be would be bags to go with new mommy outfits. They should be big to accommodate small snacks for when she’s feeling the munchies, and trendy enough to show the world that pregnant women can also be fashionable.
Finally, the party planner should make available some catalogs featuring Nursery Wall Decors for the parents-to-be to browse. Their relatives and friends can help them pick the best unisex design to adorn the nursery. They still don’t know what the baby’s gender will be, but they cannot wait until the last minute to furnish the room.
Planning the giveaways for this party is tricky, and nice thank you cards and ‘future godparent’ cards are standard.
Hors D’Oeuvres
Pronounced as ‘Or-derv’, these delicious morsels are the most commonly served appetizers in parties. In fact, the French term itself means “a dish served as an appetizer before the main meal”.
There’s no set recipe for the best hors d’oeuvres, but the best tips for making interesting and party-worthy ones include a unique presentation. A nice tray, cheese in wedges, well trimmed bread and crunchy toast… all these will make your appetizer dish hard to resist.
Soft cheeses are usually served in a separate plate while the chips, toasted bread or crackers stay on the tray. However, for ease of eating by guests, I suggest spreading the cheese or the liver pate on these before serving. After all, party people are mostly just standing in groups talking and probably won’t spend time hanging out on the buffet tables.
The appetizers that don’t require much effort to make are sure hits in parties. Ask the caterer to make the viands or main dishes, while you yourself can create the canapes and finger food. A real cost saver.
My example is Sauteed Mushroom on Toast. This can serve as appetizer in house parties where anyone can just go to the table and grab a bite.
Here’s what you need for a party of 4:
Toasted Bread - 8 pieces
One can of sliced Button Mushrooms - drained
Garlic - 4 cloves, crushed
Onion - one bulb, sliced
Red Bell Pepper - sliced (julienne) for garnish
Soy Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce - 2 table spoons
Hot Sauce - for spicy variation
Salt and pepper
Sautee the garlic until browned, followed by the onions. Add the button mushrooms and keep sauteeing at high heat, gradually adding the soy sauce/Worcestershire sauce, the hot sauce and the salt and pepper. Add the bell pepper strips before turning off the fire. Pour the mushrooms over the toasted bread.
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