I am doing a baby shower for my daughter-n-law in November. It will be at my house. I want to do a simple menu, only about 40 people mostly women. I want a light menu, setting is outside. The time of day will be like 1pm to 4pm or so. I don't want to do any heaving cooking. more like buffet style. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
I've never been to a shower where people ate anything but the sweets -- everything else got thrown out. How about a do-it-yourself ice cream buffet? Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, slices of pound and angelfood cake, cherry pie filling, some toppings, some sprinkles and chocolate chips, Redi-Whip -- whatever you think your guests will like. Serve with coffee and soft drinks. I've found that people love to have choices. Hope your shower is a success and congratulations on your grandchild! (09/11/2007)
By joan pecsek
I've given several showers and served chicken salad that I made with those boneless chicken breasts you buy in a large bag. Early in the day I cook them in the oven & chop them up when cool. Add your favorite ingredients; mine include onion, celery, halved red seedless grapes, pineapple tidbits & mayo. Pasta Salad with a Zesty Italian Dressing can be made early in the day or day before, Fruit Salad and little finger sandwiches with a cream cheese & pecan filling would have to be made closer to party time. (09/12/2007)
By Emma Reed
I had about the same amount of people for a baby shower. I made chicken salad using the recipe below. I roasted two Perdue roaster chickens and also made egg salad, pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad, veggie tray, assorted pickles, olives, etc. and of course, soft medium sized hamburger-type rolls I only added mayonnaise to the chicken salad, since the chicken had enough flavor in it already. Instead of deviled eggs, I used the deviled egg recipe to make the egg salad.
I had about four different desserts -- Brownies, Lemon Squares, Friendship Bread, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, cut into bite size pieces along with a decorated cake. The decorated cake wasn't that large since I know my crowd aren't real cake eaters.
Beverages were coffee, soda, and iced tea with lemon. I put the iced tea in a punch bowl along with some sliced lemons frozen in iced tea. The tea was bought at the supermarket, generic brand, but for some reason, everyone loved it. I think the presentation made it taste better. Everyone thought it was some sort of homemade recipe, the only thing I did was add the lemons. You could also add other fruit, oranges, limes, etc. I put the three slices in several wide shallow containers with a lid and then froze them and added to the iced tea.
It wasn't as much work as I thought it would be, I just had to cook a few days ahead of time. The hardest part was finding room in the refrigerator for all of this. Another hint -- I put all the salads in zip-loc bags, it worked out great. In fact, anything that could go in a zip-loc bag was used. Makes it easy to store and less clean up.
I always write things down since I have a bad memory and just cross things off as I go. Relax and have fun with it. You and your guests will have a great time.
Something important I forgot to mention. If someone offers any help, take it. I had my sister and my neice helping me. We enjoyed putting the party together. Since I am the cook in the family, my sister and my niece helped me with the other preparations.
ROAST STICKY CHICKEN ROTISSERIE STYLE
This is the way I always make chicken and turkey.
Clean and rinse chicken, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place, breast side down, in foil-lined pan. Put into a large bag, I use large supermarket bags, refrigerate preferably overnight or for at least 5 hours.
When ready to roast chicken, stuff cavity with onions and around the chicken. Roast, uncovered, at 250° for 5 hours. Baste occasionally after 1 1/2 hours. If the chicken contains a pop-up thermometer, ignore it. Let chicken rest about 15 minutes before carving. Pour off juices, strain, refrigerate to form the fat then remove. Can be used in place of broth when cooking.
No matter what size chicken I use, I always roast it for 5 hours and have never had a problem.
To Freeze -- This can be frozen with just the spice rub on before cooking. It can also be cooked completely and frozen. Simply bag and freeze. Warm in the microwave before serving.
(09/13/2007)
By Laura
Finger foods Finger Foods! The chicken salad idea above is great, serve it with croissants or on a chilled plate with lettuce on it. You could also include some homemade pimento cheese sandwich's as well. Also, every party I go to I'm ALWAYS asked to bring Spinach Dip in a bread bowl. A fruit and cheese platter w/ a yogurt dip and the standard chips and dip and I believe you have yourself a great array of food. Many people are not doing cakes anymore but petit four's...another option to think of. (09/13/2007)
By Sarah
For dessert: Buy Cream puffs in the freezer section at your grocery store. They were a really hit at my sister shower. Dainty size & a refreshing change instead of cake, which you'll always have leftovers from. (09/14/2007)
By carriescreativekitchen
A favorite finger food in my group is tortilla roll ups.
Spread tortillas with your cheese, layer the thin sliced meat and roll up tightly. Cut in rounds and serve.
Using wax paper to help keep the shape when rolling is a plus. Chilling before cutting with a sharp knife will help keep the rolls neater.
Enjoy your party. I'm also a list and cross off person, works for me! (09/14/2007)
All above sounds helpful. If your party is at 1:00, and you decide to serve several dishes, be sure to mention "luncheon shower" or gals will not know if they should eat before they come. If lunch is not mentioned I would take it that there may be bowls of snacks, and probably a dessert served at end of shower. (09/15/2007)
By Wisgal
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