I Need Party Food Help

anna.oskar

Hi.

I've suddenly found myself hosting a Memorial Day garden party next weekend and apparently my brain isn't able to absorb it all and come up with any decent ideas for food.  I don't want to do all the same boring things that have been done before at a hundred family barbecues.

All I've got so far are mini burgers, potato salad, melon ball salad, lemon-aid and lime-aid, special K bars (H's only contribution) and yard games of course.  http://pinterest.com/kickmeimanna/backyard-barbecue-party/

Ideas for something fun, festive, and either a quick cook or easy prep ahead?   We'll have around 40 people, all of them major beef and pork eaters, and the only allergies are tomatoes and strawberries (this one deadly serious)

I'm just at a loss.  I usually like to plan these things weeks in advance.  Maybe do some kind of a layers berry and cake parfait/trifle?  What would you like to see at a Saturday or Sunday (3pm-9pm) garden party?

J&K10910

Are you looking for main dishes? Sides?  Desserts?  Snacks?

[Deleted User]

I'm pretty simple. If there are baked beans and deviled eggs, I'm a happy camper.

The only desserts I know how to make off-hand that you can prepare the day before are my cherry cola float cupcakes. People also seem to like the rod pretzels dipped in chocolate on one end and covered with sprinkles of some sort. But that's not really a garden party type of dessert.

anna.oskar

Dot:  Seafood will not go over well with these people but the corn salad and chickan pitas sound lovely!  Recipes would be great.

J: Everything.  I'm drawing a complete blank.  They're all SD/Iowa cattlemen and family so big eaters and not fancy palates at all.

Sesh:  Duh!  I forgot about devilled eggs.  This is why i ask you wonderful people things.

J&K10910

It's not really garden party-like, but it's different than typical family barbeques, so maybe something like make your own burrito bowl bar? 

I'd personally do SkinnyTaste's pork carnitas and sweet barbacoa beef, with a variety of salsas (her corn salsa is delicious as well), guac, cheeses, other toppings (veggies, diced mango and pineapple, lettuce, chips, rice, beans, etc), tortillas, and then sides and desserts?  You could make sangria and horchata, churros, a black bean salad...

acaponi87

Some sort of pasta salad is typically a must at our family outdoor events. Here's one that I haven't tried yet but is a bit "different". Still looks really easy.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/penne-with-roasted-asparagus-and-balsamic-butter

It's got balsamic vinaegar, asapargus and pasta which are like 3 of my favorite things.

J&K10910

Ah, I posted before I saw what you posted.  Maybe Mexican isn't appropriate?  But now I'm hungry.

J&K10910

Would they like buffalo chicken mac and cheese, Anna?  That would be a delicious compliment to what you already listed, and definitely a little different from the norm.

cheeseandrice

mmm Special K bars.  My aunt is going to throw me a bridal shower, and that was my only request. nom.

What about that 7 layer Mexican dip? It's pretty standard dish, but everyone loves it. Serve with corn chips and it's gluten free too

ricksang

Lemon burst cupcakes google for recipe im on my iphone. Also pulled pork sliders

cheeseandrice

mmm I want grilled corn on the cob now too.

J&K10910

Oooh, I make a corn, avocado and tomato salad that woudl be delicious with grilled corn.

ricksang

Recipe jk please

J&K10910

For the avocado salad?

http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2009/07/grilled-corn-avocado-and-tomato-salad.html

J&K10910

Ha, I just realized the recipe CALLS FOR grilled corn.  I've always used canned because, well, it hasn't been corn season yet.

[Deleted User]

I want to go to an Anna party. Your food selections always sound amazing.

Now I want some deviled eggs. I think I'll go make some.

ricksang

Yes jk ty!

cheeseandrice

When will corn be in season? I always see it at the grocery store by now, but I don't trust it. I mean, at home it was usually still growing in the fields. (knee-high by the 4th of July and all that.)

I wonder if that would be good paired with quinoa, J?

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:39de31f8-49a4-41a7-9949-28c6933795f8">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Would they like buffalo chicken mac and cheese, Anna?  That would be a delicious compliment to what you already listed, and definitely a little different from the norm.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>That would probably go over really well!  The carnitas not so much. They don't abide by all that "foreign food"  ;)</div><div>
</div><div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:9cf34eeb-c4a2-49cf-9616-8634bb5fd0f3">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]mmm Special K bars.  My aunt is going to throw me a bridal shower, and that was my only request. nom. What about that 7 layer Mexican dip? It's pretty standard dish, but everyone loves it. Serve with corn chips and it's gluten free too :)
Posted by Steph+J[/QUOTE]
</div><div>
</div><div>SCORE!  Dip it is!  And i can eat it too so yay!</div><div>
</div><div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:a579806f-6ef5-4f95-b2d6-f75bf2aee99c">Re:I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Lemon burst cupcakes google for recipe im on my iphone. Also pulled pork sliders
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]
</div><div>
</div><div>i'm googling the hell out of them as we speak.  I've been craving lemon lately and was throwing around the idea of a lemon bundt cake but those sound delightful!</div><div>
</div><div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:0744ba05-1da8-4460-b110-e50ad91271cc">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Chicken pitas are super easy. You can either roast off chicken or use a rotisserie chicken from the store. You need about two cups for 6. Cube it and then mix it with dice red bell pepper, diced red onion, diced cucumber, and cilantro. Add A tablespoon finely diced garlic, a teaspoon of fresh ground pepper, a teaspoon of kosher salt, a tablespoon of olive oil and two table spoons of your favorite vinegar. I use balsamic. Mix well and refrigerate for an hour or two. Right before serving fill half a pita and top with crumbled feta or shredded leper jack. For corn salad I love to grill my corn. I do about 25 ears for a big bowl full. Once it's cooked, slice the kernels into a bowl and mix with a large can of black beans that have been rinsed. Add chopped green bell pepper and finely diced red onion. Mix a half cup of olive oil with a cup of red wine vinegar, a teaspoon of kosher salt and a teaspoon of cracked black pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and refrigerate as long as over night. Right before serving squeeze a lime over the top. </div><div>
</div><div>Thanks Dot!  i think i'm adding those chicken pitas to my regular recipe rotation.  Well, once my cilantro grows in at least.</div>

J&K10910

I never buy corn until August.

I bet quinoa WOULD be good in that.

cheeseandrice

OH. They had passed apps for an hour at the wedding last night. They had the best freaking deviled eggs ever.  And mini bruschetta things with super fresh mozz. holy nom.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:21e3b819-fd86-452f-b0d6-a2b651980d55">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]When will corn be in season? I always see it at the grocery store by now, but I don't trust it. I mean, at home it was usually still growing in the fields. (knee-high by the 4th of July and all that.) I wonder if that would be good paired with quinoa, J?
Posted by Steph+J[/QUOTE]

<div>The corn that's in now is good but not fabulous.  I've been buying it but pre-steaming it before grilling otherwise it's too firm.  The good stuff starts coming out (if we're lucky) by the 4th of July and the best harvest usually aroun Labor day.</div>

ricksang

This is the recipe I use. They were the hit of the BBQ last year.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/lemon-burst-cupcakes/a15fc1ac-800b-462f-8c4f-ff81d2c91964

J&K10910

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html

I highly recommend making it the day before.  It's kind of "meh" fresh out of the oven, but the leftovers are amazing.  I never use the bleu cheese, and I use 2% milk instead of half and half, and it's still plenty thick and creamy.  I've also done it with GF pasta and corn starch instead of flour and it turned out pretty well.  Undercook the pasta just a tad if you ever try it with rice pasta, or it falls apart in the oven.

[Deleted User]

Deviled eggs (or "doubled eggs" as my brother always insisted they were called) are the best things ever. Except when people put in crunchy stuff (celery, I think?). Don't mess with perfection, people.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:286a338d-9189-41be-b49a-f837ba0aec41">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html</a> I highly recommend making it the day before.  It's kind of "meh" fresh out of the oven, but the leftovers are amazing.  I never use the bleu cheese, and I use 2% milk instead of half and half, and it's still plenty thick and creamy.  I've also done it with GF pasta and corn starch instead of flour and it turned out pretty well.  Undercook the pasta just a tad if you ever try it with rice pasta, or it falls apart in the oven.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>Perfect!  The more that I can prep ahead the better.  And yeah, I'll make it GF so thanks for the rice pasta tip!</div>

ricksang

Ewww BUT bacon in deviled eggs are so good.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:eb6c150b-3c37-4bbc-b577-32ebd9a93fdb">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Deviled eggs (or "doubled eggs" as my brother always insisted they were called) are the best things ever. Except when people put in crunchy stuff (celery, I think?). Don't mess with perfection, people.
Posted by Seshat411[/QUOTE]

<div>I hate celery in mine.  Although I do add stuff.  This crowd goes nuts for my bacon cheddar ones.</div>

J&K10910

Putting bacon in deviled eggs is blaphemous.  GROSS.

Dot, I posted it on the other page--I don't know if you posted before I did or just missed it, but here it is again: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_i-need-food-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3c197366-62e2-4b18-af03-f0fd9e404bdaPost:b9a3a977-245d-4803-9ef2-321a1db30eb4">Re: I Need Party Food Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Putting bacon in deviled eggs is blaphemous.  GROSS. Dot, I posted it on the other page--I don't know if you posted before I did or just missed it, but here it is again: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html</a>
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
PUUUULEASEEE bacon is good in everything.

[Deleted User]

All I put in mine are mayo and mustard, and top them with paprika. Like I said, I'm simple.

I don't think I've ever had any with bacon though. That I'd be willing to try.