Monday, June 6, 2016

Summer Cocktail Party Menu

I haven't hosted a dinner party in a while, so I started planning a date for a get-together. 

As things do, it snowballed into a gathering of about 20. 

No problem, right?

So, I changed the game plan from a sit down dinner to a cocktail party with heavy hors d'oeuvres. 

Today is my day to do all the advance prep work and cooking. Tomorrow is the party. 

I spent some time yesterday doing some research and planning a menu. The important elements of the menu were that it had to be simple, and of course, super tasty. 

Also, I needed to be able to make most of the food a day in advance. 

Here's what I came up with:

Tortellini Skewers
White Bean & Caper Crostini
Salsa Fresca
Garlic & Chive Dip
Baked Brie with Pecans
Pesto Bocconcini Crostini
Herbed Hummus
Marinated Olives
Watermelon Feta Bites
Mediterranean Baked Feta with Tomatoes
Spicy Three Cheese Dip
Grilled Polish Kielbasa
Shrimp Cocktail
I think this is a nice mix of healthy and indulgent hors d'oeuvres. 

I will serve tortilla chips with the salsa fresca, and pita chips, crackers, and sliced raw veggies with the other dips and hummus. 

Sweetie is bringing the Kielbasa and the Shrimp Cocktail. 

Mixed Nuts
I will put out some mixed nuts as well, always a crowd favorite, as easy peasy as it gets!

Spiral Ham
Last but not least, I will be making a spiral ham. I'll put it out on a carving board with a sharp knife, a basket of slider rolls, and some good mustard. 

Amish Macaroni Salad
Potato Salad
Add a bowl of potato salad and a macaroni salad and that wraps things up!

A dear friend is bringing an appetizer - a surprise, but everything she makes is incredible!

And another dear friend is bringing dessert. Plus sweetie bought a wonderful apple pie. 

I'm excited....and I have a ton to do today!

I guess I better get busy. 

48 comments:

  1. Whoa, this is a feast! Lots of great ideas for me too, but I know right now that I'd be doing good to pull off just a few of these.

    Very lucky guests!

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    1. I think the Salsa was one of my favorites!! I left out the cilantro and put some chives in for color - it was so good!

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  2. That looks like a tasty assortment.. I would like the pasta salad. Blessing for a really fun time. xoxo, Susie

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    1. The pasta salad was amazing!! I cut down on the sugar and mayo in the recipe, but other than that followed it pretty closely. It was really, really good!! A keeper recipe, for sure!

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  3. You are quite the talented entertainer. Have you perhaps thought of a career as an entertainment consultant where you helped people plan their parties? I know that's probably fairly close to some of the work you do now.
    Brenda

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    1. That's funny, Brenda, because that's pretty much exactly what I do for a living!!

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  4. I'll be there ~ can't wait! :) I would say that you've outdone yourself with this amazing menu. Everything looks and sounds delish! I know everyone is will love it.

    xo
    Pat

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  5. Thanks for the invite but its a little too far for me to make it on time. Haha
    Lisa

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  6. Your menu is over the top awesome! I know you will have a great time :)

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    Replies
    1. A great time was had by all....and there were a few sore heads the next day, no doubt!

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  7. That is going to be some 'feast', enjoyed by all.

    Have fun ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Needless to say, there were plenty of leftovers! I haven't cooked since!

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  8. If I leave now, I might be able to make it. Just kidding, a little too far for me. Your menu sounds delicious, though! Have fun!

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    1. There were definitely some keeper recipes here...it will be handy to be able to refer back to my blog to find them easily!

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  9. This feast looks amazing!!! Thanks for all the great ideas. I hope your evening was a success.

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    1. It was a wonderful night, Tammie. I was exhausted the next day, I admit!!

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  10. I could hapily graze for days on all these yummies!!
    I predict an evening of great fun!!

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    Replies
    1. I'm still grazing on some of them, and I'm not complaining!

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  11. yummy! That looks like a lot of work, but sounds like a lot of fun too!

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  12. If only you lived closer. I love them all except for, don't shoot me, the brie. I don't know why I love most all cheese but brie. I've tried it all ways and I can't stomach the flavor. Is that crazy? Everything else looks amazing.

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    Replies
    1. It's probably the rind. So you probably don't like Camembert either, I'm guessing?

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  13. I am in awe of your doing all this! Nancy

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  14. Holy cow... are you kidding? You can do all that in one day? Sheesh - you are definitely the hostess with the mostess! Wish I could be there. Have a great time.
    P.S. Don't forget to put a wheelbarrow at the front door, because after the party some of your guests will need to be carted to their cars with their full bellies!

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    1. I could have used that wheelbarrow, Vickie, for sure!!

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  15. Amazing feast there! Great way to kick off summer

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  16. Amazing feast there! Great way to kick off summer

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    Replies
    1. It was a fabulous party, a great time was had by all!

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  17. Everything looks amazing! I am sure it was a lot of fun. Take care, Maria

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    1. There were definitely a few crowd favorites....and I don't know why I always bother with a crudites platter when nobody touches the veggies but me!

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  18. Sounds like so much fun and the food choices are wonderful. You are fixing a lot of food!! Your friends are going to roll out the door. :)

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    1. There was some rolling out the door, Stacey, but I'm not sure the food was the cause of it! :)

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  19. The makings of an unforgettable evening. :)

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  20. Oh goodness! That all sounds and looks so delicious. :) I would love to be a guest at your dinner party. You do spoil your friends. :)

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    1. They were even more spoiled because my sweetie brought lobster along with the shrimp!!

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  21. Are you kidding me?! I wouldn't be a minute late for this party! Did you really make all those appetizers?? That is a lot of work. I can imagine sitting out on your beautiful deck with all that delicious food and a cocktail...fantastic.

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  22. Are you kidding me?! I wouldn't be a minute late for this party! Did you really make all those appetizers?? That is a lot of work. I can imagine sitting out on your beautiful deck with all that delicious food and a cocktail...fantastic.

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    1. It was a lot of work, Melanie, and honestly I was super tired the next day. But it was such a great night...unfortunately the weather didn't agree with us, and there wasn't much time spent on the deck. Too bad, for sure!!

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  23. Well I think you put on a fabulous spread! I love salsa fresca and brie. Would love the recipe of the pecan topping. Everything looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing with SYC. You will be featured this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. How exciting, thanks a million, Jann!! The recipes can all be found by clicking the link under each photo!

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  24. It's 1 a.m. and now I'm starving after seeing all your great food for your party.

    thanks for sharing with SYC.

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    1. I could have sent you some....there was plenty left over! :)

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  25. You are the hostess with the mostest! Everything looks so delish!

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    Replies
    1. It was a great night, Donna. Wore me out....but a great night!

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