379562 Sat Mar 10 13:00:38 -0800 2007 13 31 Home Cooking 0 2373046 I'm hosting an outdoor afternoon party for easter - our big kid friends and their little kids are invited. We'll be watching the kids hunt eggs and relaxing and drinking and (hopefully) enjoying the nice weather. So far I've come up with the following and need your ideas to help fill in the gaps. Specialty Drinks: Raspberry Lemonade (for the little people) Mojitos (for the big people) Apps: Assorted tea sandwiches: Ham salad, egg salad, cream cheese and chive (I figure the kids will probably make a good meal out of these) Need a couple of lighter apps here that can sit at room temperature Main course menu: Need a meat course here - roasted lamb? A ham? Tropical fruit salad Roasted New Potato salad with Watercress (this is dressed lightly with olive oil and mustard - it's not a creamy potato salad) Dessert: Coconut cake Easter Sugar for the kids All suggestions appreciated! Thanks, Andie Sat Mar 10 13:00:38 -0800 2007 49971 Andiereid 1 2373181 That sounds good. What is easter sugar for the kids? Is it sacreligious to have "deviled" eggs for Easter? I don't know about room temperature, though deviled eggs tend to go quickly and I bought a deviled egg cooler which I use more than I thought. An easy salad I make which always gets compliments is a Tuscan bread salad, kind of like a caprese salad with crusty bread. It' very pretty and colorful: http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/871 If you do ham, I think it go well with it. If you do the lamb, maybe a couscous salad w/ pesto, dates. A good appetizer with either that is good at room temperature is layered pesto loaf--it's very colorful, too. I wouldn't have tried it if I had seen the recipe but my friend brought it to a potluck and it was so good. LAYERED PESTO LOAF 12 oz. cream cheese, room temp 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, paced in oil, drained, chopped fine 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced generous ½ lb provolone, sliced thin ½ cup pesto Combine first 3 ingredients. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap extending extra over the sides. Completely cover bottom and sides with a layer of provolone cheese. Place ½ of cream cheese mixture in pan. Smooth to make an even layer. Add ½ pesto. Smooth. Place 2 or 3 slices of provolone flat on top of pesto. Repeat using remaining cream cheese and pesto. Finish with provolone cheese. Pull ends of plastic wrap together and cover tightly. Press down gently to compress. Chill overnight or at least 6 hours. To serve, open plastic wrap and invert onto serving tray. Remove plastic. Garnish with basil if desired. Serve with crackers. Sat Mar 10 14:12:11 -0800 2007 2373046 39874 chowser 2 2373186 Thanks, chowser! That pesto loaf looks delicious! Easter sugar is just all the candy they'll have with them from their morning basket haul. And I'm sure that I'll provide a little too. Sat Mar 10 14:14:17 -0800 2007 2373181 49971 Andiereid 1 2392227 Andie, I just saw this thread and thought I'd add my own suggestion for "appies" for your Easter Soiree.....We love this recipe and I've made it ahead and served at room temp..It does involve marinating LOL..however, it's yummy...really good...here's a link Who doesn't like wings?http://www.canadianliving.com/CanadianLiving/client/en/Food/DetailRecipe.asp?idRe=5426? There are not HOT by the way...just nicely spiced IMHO Fri Mar 16 10:27:45 -0700 2007 2373046 78837 flipkeat 2 2392235 http://www.canadianliving.com/CanadianLiving/client/en/Food/DetailRecipe.asp?idRe=5426 Fri Mar 16 10:29:25 -0700 2007 2392227 78837 flipkeat 2 2392250 Oo, sounds perfect! Thanks, flipkeat! And yes, you know how I hate to marinate! :) Fri Mar 16 10:32:50 -0700 2007 2392227 49971 Andiereid 3 2392279 LOL I hear you Andie. Also just a tip...on the fruit salad thingi you had listed..I am not sure how you are prepared to serve it...I suggest the following that is always a big hit.it's easy and kids and BIG KIDS lol love it..easy too..no plates required lol..Just chunk up lots of fruit, pineapple, melon, strawberries, mango whatever, and marshmallows..on skewers..I use the mid size ones...perhaps a few fun gummy eggs or easter gummies of some kind for the kids..Not having any children myself I always try hard to make them happy...Also, giftiebags with dollar store items tied with balloons go over big at Easter..;) Hope this helps you... Fri Mar 16 10:39:27 -0700 2007 2392250 78837 flipkeat 4 2392885 Oh, good suggestion. I don't have kids either, but love it when our friends bring their short people. They'll like that. I'll try not to stuff it with too much sugar, or the parents will have my hide. Fri Mar 16 13:01:40 -0700 2007 2392279 49971 Andiereid 1 2392876 If you want to do lamb for a main course, why not substitute that for the chicken in Silver Palate's Chicken Marbella? Easy do-ahead and tastes good at room temp, so very picnic friendly. Fri Mar 16 12:58:44 -0700 2007 2373046 50613 weezycom 2 2392883 I have that cookbook. I'll take a look at it. Good suggestion! Thanks! Fri Mar 16 13:00:52 -0700 2007 2392876 49971 Andiereid 1 2393039 in my opinion, it has to be lamb for easter. we always grill a butterflied leg in my family. first marinating it all day in rosemary, garlic, olive oil, etc. it is delicious and you could certainly do it ahead of time, then slice it up and pack it for the picnic... Fri Mar 16 13:48:26 -0700 2007 2373046 12350 ndl 1 2393044 Just a comment on the tea sandwiches; don't know if you have kids or not, but mine for one wouldn't touch them. Not that I think it matters too much; kids aren't generally into the appetizer thing anyway (unless it involves chips :)). Main courses sound like fine things for kids to have. Fri Mar 16 13:49:51 -0700 2007 2373046 18353 DGresh 2 2394468 Oh, and BTW in my opinion the fruit skewers would be popular with the kids, and don't need candy to be appealing :) Sat Mar 17 03:48:08 -0700 2007 2393044 18353 DGresh 1 2395719 For apps I'd suggest something with asparagus - even just roasted stalks. Or you could get fancier and wrap the asparagus. Sat Mar 17 17:01:07 -0700 2007 2373046 58039 ElsieDee