Tag Archives: menu

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Ask-A-Planner

We are getting a lot of questions about Christmas menu planning— and we love it! Certainly a holiday gathering is party planning that we can all relate! This week’s question is from Will in Washington, DC via Facebook.

 

Dear Sara, 

I have guests coming to our small DC condo after Christmas. We would like to host a dinner-type function, but do not have a dining table and/or chairs. The total number of guests is five. Any creative thoughts on how we plan a successful finger food dinner that would be filling and flexible enough for the space limitations?

Thank you, 

Will

 

Dear Will,

What a great question! This is one of those issues that so many people deal with, from those in urban areas, to newlyweds, to senior citizens.

The key to making a finger food meals successful isn’t necessarily in the menu choices, but in being creative in how to serve it. Want to serve soup? Put it in a shot glass or small cup. Want to serve a traditional holiday meal? Put it in a sandwich or a stack (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce) and cut it into bite size pieces. Want to serve french fries? Put them in a cone. You get the idea.

Next tip is to have a lot of variety. When you are having a sit down meal it’s easier to keep things simple. With little bites, variety is key. Also, don’t put everything out at once. Still keep up your “courses” so everyone is excited to see what will come out next (like a tapas restaurant!)

I did put together some menu ideas (because it’s fun!) — see what you think! 

Top row: shrimp and sausage, the cutest salads ever, brie on a stick 

Second row: quinoa stuffed cucumber, chicken’n'waffles, mac & cheese 

Third row: sweet potato rounds, beets and toast, individual berry tarts

 

Another good idea? Small plates. By using smaller plates that we have to refill more often, we get full faster. Seriously.

 

Good luck! And let us know how it goes!

xoxo

Sara

 

 

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Ask-A-Planner

This week’s question is prepping for Christmas and comes via Facebook from Ashley in Winter Park, FL.

Dear Sara, 

I am of mother of two young children, and have recently moved into a new home. We want to host Christmas Day for our families. My questions is…what are some good, easy to do before hand lunch/dinner options. We have always hosted Christmas morning and breakfast, so I know what works for our family there. I’m just stomped on how to do a late lunch/early dinner, with also enjoying the Christmas memories with my family and time with my kids. 
I love your site. 

Thank you so much for whatever help you can give,

Ashley,

Hostess in Need

 

Dear Ashley,

This is such a great question, as hosting shouldn’t have to mean that you miss the party. I tell this to my husband all the time when we host dinner parties! I say focus on a few really great dishes that are simple and wonderful and will work for everyone, to ensure that you still can spend time with your family creating memories.

I’m a big believer in things that can be made ahead of time, or things that bake for hours while you enjoy the smells wafting through the house. So one of my favorite meals, especially on the holidays, includes a roast. It can beef or pork, whatever you prefer, but a roast only takes 15 minutes or so of prep, a couple of hours of hands off time in the oven, and few minutes of carving (nothing like a bird– just a few knife slices will do) and you have a feast for the kids  to the men. It will stay juicy and flavorful without too much help for you. Easy, beautiful and holiday feeling!  {This roast pictured is herb crusted!}

The best addition to meat is obviously potatoes.  I loved this idea of sweet potatoes with apples and bacon– which could be a meal on its own, not to mention amazing leftovers. But a mashed potato bar could also be fun, if you don’t mind lots of bowls of various toppings. Again, perfect items that can be left in the oven and assembled at the last minute.

To round out the plate, a nice salad would be beautiful. This salad is berry and citrus, but as the citrus in Florida is perfect at Christmas time, you could even leave out the berries. A simple citrus and arugulia or mixed greens would be sweet and crisp, and a nice contrast to the meat and potatoes. Everything could be prepped ahead of time, then one last toss as it goes on the table is all it would take for this beautiful addition.

My other tip to making any party easier is to have one signature cocktail, rather than a full bar. I’m not sure what this drink is, but it sure looks pretty and festive! Also, not pictured here, but a simple dessert, like a pear upside down cake would be lovely, especially after a big meaty meal.

I hope you like this menu, which is geared towards a late day meal, with lots of oven time, but little hands on time. Other ideas? A pot luck can work, but can require a lot of time in coordination ahead of time. Heavy hors d’ouvers can also be nice, but I think you need a lot of variety to make it work.

I love that you are thinking of the happiness of your guests, but still maximizing memories with your family! That thoughtfulness shows you are an amazing hostess before putting out any food!

Readers– any other advice or menu suggestions?

 

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A Hong Kong Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of family, food and love. I was able to skype with some of my family and feel their love, half way across the globe.

In case you were wondering what Thanksgiving looks like in Hong Kong, I thought I’d share a few pictures {taken by the lovely Kim, who also organized this event.} Also, the finished pumpkin seeds!

Kim was nice enough to work with a restaurant to offer a set menu, then invited 25 or so of her closest friends. It was a great to see old friends and meet new ones, especially so early on into my Hong Kong adventure.

Around 7:30 we gathered and had some cocktails…

The table looked great– 

Oh! What’s that? Is that our little favor?? I think they turned out nicely. 

Once we sat down, we had a choice of appetizers– shrimp, soup or crab cakes. 

Then a buffet with turkey or roast beef {or both} with all the fixings.

Then we finished with pecan or apple pie {sadly, no pictures of that!}.

All and all it was a wonderful {and filling} Thanksgiving meal! Thanks Kim!

{Ask-A-Planner will be back next week, with a great question! I can’t wait!} 

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One drink, Three Parties

I don’t know about you, but I will get addicted to a drink for awhile, and want to have to all the time {you know, whenever alcoholic drinks are acceptable.} I’ll want to share it with my friends and try to make my favorite drink their favorite drink, too. And why not? I have good taste! :)

That’s why I love this idea by Every Girl to style a party and menu for three different events around virtual the same drink– cocktails, brunch, and girls night in. I’d go to all of these shindigs! {via The Every Girl}

 

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Artisan Popsicles

With these hot summer days coming fast and furious, I needed something to cool me down. Last year I bought some sailboat popsicle molds, so I was excited to make some cute, but adult flavored goodies this summer.

We decided on balsamic-strawberry-basil, peach with blueberries, and cucumber mojito {which I think we took a little seriously and didn’t freeze all the way through with all the booze we put in. oops.}

We made up the recipes a bit– fresh fruit, juice and herbs, and sugar, blended. A few whole pieces added to the mold when we poured the ingredients in. Then into the freezer!

I went for bright colors in my flavors. Can you tell?  Wouldn’t it be fun to make the red, white and blue for tomorrow’s festivities?

I could just lick the screen! How about you?

 

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Modern Black & White Dinner Party

We had some friends over for dinner this past weekend, so I decided to flex my creative muscle a bit. What do you think?

I used washi tape down the table to create a runner, and printed out this arrow paper for the flower and tags on the drinks. My husband made an amazing dinner with an amuse bouche of butternut squash soup with blts, which might have been my favorite part. For dessert, we added vodka and sparkling wine to the sorbet to make a little cocktail, and added the b&w straws. Our guests appreciated our effort and it was a great nite. Yea for friends! xox0

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Ask-A-Planner

Our question this week was submitted on Facebook.

From Jen in Orlando:

 

What is the proper menu for a 2pm shower? Are shower/wedding favors still expected?

 

Hi Jen,

Such a good question!

I’m going to start with the second question first. Favors are never expected, or shouldn’t be. If you want to give favors, as a memento of the event, you should, especially if they are thoughtful and well conceived. But if you don’t want to do them (or can’t think of anything good!) you shouldn’t! Don’t have favors because they are “expected.” That’s not fun for you or your guests.

As for food– I think 2 pm is a great time for a party, as you aren’t held to any meal necessities. Finger foods are fun–dips, vegetables, sweets, nuts and a themed drink (both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version) makes for a great causal party. If you can theme the food items all the better. For a wedding shower, wouldn’t it be fun to eat “knot” foods– pretzel or bread knots, cookies in the shape of knots, prosciutto tied into knots, bacon knotted around a shrimp, etc. You get the point. It makes for a fun challenge for you and enjoyable for your guests.

Good Luck! And send pictures!

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