618514 Sat May 09 08:36:00 -0700 2009 16 31 Home Cooking 0 4668497 I'm hosting a shower this week. There will be about 15 women...it starts at 2pm. A few guests are bringing dishes and I need to fill in the blanks. Here is what we have so far. Pigs in a blanket....mom - to -be's request Homemade guac and chips Salmon pinwheels Tossed Salad Chicken Penne Vodka A Puerto Rican dish made with meat So the menu is pretty varied. I think we are good with the heavy dishes since it's starting at 2pm and people aren't expecting lunch or dinner. What other light dishes should I throw it? For drinks we will have water, wine, and sangria. For dessert we'll have brownies, a trifle, and maybe an ice cream cake. Mom-to-be doesn't like cake and the bride is on a diet so I'm not bothering with a regular cake. Thanks for the help! Sat May 09 08:36:00 -0700 2009 63634 rizzo0904 1 4668806 Fresh cut-up fruit would be my choice to round things out, and if you absolutely need something else, maybe a selection of cheeses. Sat May 09 10:53:42 -0700 2009 4668497 27482 critter101 2 4669265 and another non alcholic drink. Sat May 09 14:48:01 -0700 2009 4668806 11854 LaLa 3 4670365 I agree with LaLa...Definitely another non-booze drink...iced tea maybe, or a non-alchoholic punch (I think there's a recent thread on this subject). Sun May 10 05:54:49 -0700 2009 4669265 11983 Val 4 4670384 I'm going to have coke and diet coke as well. It's not a punch crowd. Most of them will probably want all alcohol....lol. Sun May 10 06:04:08 -0700 2009 4670365 63634 rizzo0904 2 4670386 love the fruit idea....will definately do that. Sun May 10 06:04:25 -0700 2009 4668806 63634 rizzo0904 2 4670544 Fruit is my choice, proscuitto wrapped melon (generic) but good for a dieter and still light. How about fruit skewers just a couple on small skewers and a light citrus yogurt sauce. You can flip over a cantelope you used for the skewers and poke the skewers it in so they stand up. Just a fun way to serve it. Easy to eat a light. Or a light citrus salad, orange, grapefruit, mint or watermelon and mint salad. Just light. And cheese yes critter, I totally agree, You can add simple bread, or crackers, or light toastes, bagle chips which are light and not heavy but the cheese is great to have with the fruit and as a simple appetizer. Also I like grilled veggies, I like to grill or roast slightly not over done some fresh cauli, eggplant, squash, mushrooms, etc and serve with a green goddess like dip (not bottled) It can be room temp and great as appetizers Sun May 10 07:50:44 -0700 2009 4668806 232829 kchurchill5 1 4669718 steamed chilled asparagus served with a lemony mayo Sat May 09 18:22:59 -0700 2009 4668497 50613 weezycom 2 4670388 sounds yummy, but at least half of the people don't like mayo. i have some food restrictions....one vegetarian, one muslim, and lots of dieters.... Sun May 10 06:05:45 -0700 2009 4669718 63634 rizzo0904 3 4670531 You can do a tahini-lemon juice-EVOO sauce instead and serve it on the side. Sun May 10 07:42:35 -0700 2009 4670388 50613 weezycom 4 4671701 The Goddess sala dressing from Trader Joes is exactly what you're after here. I use it in place of mayo and hollandaise all the time. It's yummy and creamy and definitely not mayo. Sun May 10 17:39:31 -0700 2009 4670531 285199 Shazza 2 4673930 http://www.saveur.com/article/Food/Asparagus-with-Citrus-and-Oregano I did this recipe recently for a crowd, and substituted thyme for the oregano and roasted the asparagus instead of steaming. It can be served room temp and is really beautiful. I had some blood oranges so I used those too. See photo. Mon May 11 12:30:39 -0700 2009 4669718 12789 pcdarnell 1 4672014 I agree with two suggestions already made as the menu seems a little protein heavy: critter101's idea the fruit platter which you could decorate with some cubes of cheese (gives the vegetarian some protein options) - K Churchill's grilled veggie idea does the muslim guest eat only halal meat? Sun May 10 20:09:33 -0700 2009 4668497 134437 salsailsa 2 4673312 I'd do fruit kebabs with the caramel cream cheese dip, or a fruit tartlet....something to mix it up rather than just a fruit tray or bowl of fruit. Incorporating less typical fruits in a fruit tray (like blackberries, etc) can be a hit. I also like the proscuitto wrapped melon-simple yet you did mention a variety of individuals so it might not go over. I too, agree that it may be too protein-heavy-perhaps you could totally eliminate the chicken penne? Seems like in the bunch-that one stands out more as something that could go. Could be replaced with orzo, grape tomatos, kalamata olives, green and red peppers, artichokes and feta. Light and delicious. Or rid yourself of the toss salad. 3 appy things, 1 main and a side like fruit, etc. with beverages is plenty. Mon May 11 09:39:29 -0700 2009 4672014 72211 snoboardbabe77 3 4673810 I simple pasta, agree with protein heavy, a fresh pasta, pesto, chick peas, light. Love the orzo, tomatoes and olives, light and simple. Tossed salad unless a lot of people like it. But doesn't always goes well at parties. Orzo or pastas seem to go better. I love small plum tomatoes cut in half. I scoop out a little of the center a stuff with pancetta and herbed cheese. Fresh bite size, easy. Just cut a small slice off the bottom and they will stand up. Lots of options to make it lighter Mon May 11 11:49:22 -0700 2009 4673312 232829 kchurchill5 1 4673490 endive cups with chicken/ crab/ tuna salad. Mon May 11 10:26:08 -0700 2009 4668497 157661 hollyd 1 4673800 Chinese chicken salad with Soy Vey dressing. I would buy the chicken breasts cooked, shred and add celery, green onion, etc, etc. Sprinkle crunchy noodles and/or peanuts on top. Mon May 11 11:45:52 -0700 2009 4668497 13118 Gail