Help! Party foods for 60th wedding anniversary...

[Phentex]

for my in-laws. Last few parties of this type were handed over to a caterer (more like a friend of sil's who does parties) and I have to say I have always been less than impressed with her foods. No fruit, no cheese or veggies. I recall some mixed nuts, some terrible finger sandwiches and some really lame, packaged cookies. *I* can open a package of cookies! And she wants $10 pp.

I don't mind setting up the food but I don't want to be a slave to the kitchen during the party either. The time is from 2 to 5 at a church hall so I was thinking easy finger foods, coffee and punch. My mom who is nearly 80 says she doesn't like things that are hard to eat and she likes cheese. :)

What do you all suggest? Three hours, about 75 people or so, church hall kitchen.

THANK YOU FOR ANY IDEAS!

[blaze]

1. Baked Brie!!!

That was my first thought.

[Phentex]

15. I think cheese is a must...

people like cheese and crackers. It's filling but not overly so. And Brie would be easy to eat!

[elleng]

2. Baked brie good, as blaze said, had it at holiday parties many years.

ALSO, 'little' sandwiches, as in small 'twist' rolls, w ham/cheese; honey-baked ham, variety cookies/pastries, easy to handle fruit (grapes off stem cut into small bunches, cut apples.) Crudities, dips of your choice.

Have fun!

[Phentex]

16. I'd like to find the twist rolls...

maybe with chicken salad or something soft. I'll keep looking.

Thanks!

[elleng]

21. Had a great little bakery many years ago,

but twist rolls, varying sizes, available in bakery dept of grocery store now.

Yes, chicken/turkey/tuna salads are nice and soft, but more labor-intensive than ham/cheese, etc.

YVW!

[Tesha]

3. Crustless Quiche

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/dining/071mrex.html

I was perusing the NYT from the link to hash and this turned up - easy and cheesy... so to speak

Crustless ‘Quiche’

1 cup cream, half-and-half, milk or a combination, gently heated just until warm
3 eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup grated Emmenthal, Gruyère, Cantal or a combination
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or hard pecorino
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
Butter as needed.
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees and set rack in middle of it. Combine all ingredients except butter and beat until well blended.

2. Pour into 4 to 6 buttered ramekins (or a buttered gratin or pie plate - or why not little muffin cups???) and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until almost firm; it should still jiggle just a little in middle. Cool on a rack, then serve warm or at room temperature.

[tigereye]

4. those sound really good!

[Tesha]

5. and you could add...

almost anything to give it some pizazz

like veggies,
or meats chopped fine,
spices or herbs

[Phentex]

17. Should I cheat?

I can get those mini quiche from Costco for less work. I do like this idea!

[elleng]

24. Definitely 'cheat,' but in these circumstances, there IS no cheating!

Party for 75? Fergit thought of home-made anything, no sane person would expect you to do so!

[Tesha]

25. good point...

I don't think you can call it cheating - more like saving your sanity!

[elleng]

26. ...

:thumbsup:

[Warpy]

6. Toothpicks and paper plates

and deli platters from the supermarket to start out with plus anything else you want to make from scratch in the way of finger foods. If you want to offer something hot, chicken wings might be the way to go. Home made coleslaw and potato salad will go well with the deli platters. Veggie crudites and dip will also go well, just PLEASE blanch and shock that broccoli to get rid of that raw, bitter taste.

At that hour, it's going to be snacks and appetizers, not a full meal, so you're safe to go with the above.

[Phentex]

18. Amen to the broccoli...

I don't know all that many people who like it cold and raw. Seems to me people will eat the celery and carrots and leave the crunchy broccoli when they have a choice.

[The empressof all]

7. Deviled Eggs and Little Pizzas

Deviled eggs are labor intensive but people really love them. I like mine with a little caviar on top.

You can do little pizzas with packaged puff pastry which is softer than regular pizza dough and easier for many people with older teeth to enjoy. Just make a rectangular pizza on a cookie sheet and cut it into bite size squares. I suggest doing a "white" pizza too with some pesto mixed in with cream cheese on top with some parm shavings.

People also really like pigs in a blanket. If you want to get fancy you can use different kinds of sausages but the regular old standard little smokies will always be a crowd pleaser.

[trud]

9. second the deviled eggs/ celery

This is a foolproof hard boiled egg maker:

http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-64802-Microwave-Cooker/dp/B0007M2BN0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294268406&sr=8-1

You just have to experiment a bit to find the correct time for your microwave. Then you get perfect hardboiled eggs, a cinch to peel, every time. With my microwave and four large eggs, I zap them for 9 1/2 minutes then let them sit for twenty. Something about the steam, I guess, makes the shells very easy to remove. Be careful not to spill the hot water when you take the contraption out of the microwave.

I sprinkle paprika on top of the deviled eggs.

Also, pieces of celery about 2 inches long, with whipped cream cheese in them. Also topped with paprika. I am seeing a theme here :-)

[Phentex]

19. Hmm...the pizza is interesting

done the way you suggest.

I love deviled eggs but I always feel they need to go with something.

Thanks!

[Lucinda]

8. I'd probably do a cheese sampler with fresh fruit

And maybe soft rolls with thin deli meats to make little sandwiches with. Elegant and easy.

Cupcakes can be more fun than just cookies or other sweets...and really beautiful.

[kurtzapril4]

10. What about a potluck?

Those are usually excellent, you get a wide variety of dishes, and you could ask some of the participants to make certain things in order to assure that your mom has the food she likes there.

[Lucinda]

11. Good idea!

[pengillian101]

12. Excellent idea! Everyone loves to share their favorite!

However, in a nursing home environment, they will probably need to have the kitchen staff make their favorite dish to share.

Come to think about it, that could be very fun, making all the residents' favorites, eh?

Have FUN!

[Phentex]

20. Was thinking of something sugar-free since

my FIL is diabetic and others may be as well. I was thinking cookies because my SIL plans to buy a big ass sheet cake. :)

Cupcakes are always a hit, though. People love them!

[Lucinda]

27. I have a friend who is always posting gorgeous pics on FB

of the cupcakes she makes. No need for plates and forks that way too :) You might even find, or make some sugar free ones?

[GoCubsGo]

13. Do you have a Costco nearby?

I understand the warehouse stores, like Costco, sell some pretty darn good frozen pre-made finger foods that just require some heating or thawing (dessert items). If you hit them at the right time, you can even sample the goods before you buy them. I have been to shindigs where some of these items were served, and they're quite good, all things considered. Get a few of those, some veggie trays, and a cheese tray for you mom.

[japple]

14. I went to a party where they served those mini-quiches and everyone

raved about them.

[Phentex]

23. What's not to love?

Seems like a good option for an afternoon thing. And I eat them at room temperature so others probably wouldn't mind. We do have access to a kitchen so some would be warm.

[Phentex]

22. Yes, I plan to check them out...

I have heard that Costco has stuff like this. I know they have the little quiche that are quite tasty.

[grasswire]

28. I have had some success...

...with breads and spreads as part of a layout for this kind of party. Some various beautiful artisanal breads, sliced thin and halved. Some spreads to go with. A southern pimento cream cheese spread. A caponata. A date-nut spread. A chutney, cream cheese spread. Egg salad. A spicy shrimp spread. That kind of stuff.

Along with that, I served a good ham, slivered in very thin slices, and set out some grainy mustard and a couple of kinds of kicked up butter.

A large fruit tray.

Lots of olives and various pickles. People like them.

You could add cheeses.

Cupcakes would be very appropriate.

How about punch? So festive!