Fall Baby Shower Menu, please review

[eviemichael]

Hello! Ok, so I know this probably seems bizarre/incredibly anal/ type A to the maximum, but...

my mother is coming to visit in August, and all of September I will have a hectic schedule and will be traveling for a documentary production.

The first weekend in October I am hosting a baby shower! So- I want to plan it all out now.

Please review my menu and voice any opinions you may have...:)

Thanks! (It will be a brunch-lunch type affair)

DRINKS: Sparkling Apple Cider (or warm apple cider?), Hot Tea, Coffee

Roasted Nuts on the tables- cashews with rosemary, something like that...

DIP- spinach artichoke, black and green olive tapenade or both?

SALAD- Endive Spears with walnut apple slaw and other spears with blue cheese

BITES- Thomas Keller Quiche with pancetta included

-Ina Garten roasted veggies and orzo salad OR feta-fussili-sun dried tomato cold pasta salad

-something else?

DESSERT- layered chocolate mousse and pear mousse with a dehydrated pear on top :)

how does it sound?

[superfinespot]

cheese twists! paula deen has a great recipe

black olive tapenade over the green. or maybe a walnut pesto?
meat skewers or a dipping sauce type appetizer would also be nice.

dessert sounds great but i'd keep the chocolate w/o fruit and do cream or white chocolate shavings. something cakey and celebratory too would be a good 2nd option- like honey pear apple cake w/toffee caramel, or pumpkin cupcakes w/cinnamon buttercream & candied walnuts...

[eviemichael]

ohh pumpkin cupcakes sounds gooood!! Someone told me to make a chocolate cake in the shape of a baby stroller and I found a great template for the decoration, I just don't know if it would be cheesy...

[ladyberd]

Your menu sounds delicious. For the nuts, you might want to Google the Union Square Cafe nuts - they're amazing.
One note on a few of your ingredients - I'm due to have my first baby in two days so use caution with the recipes you choose. your guest of honor cannot have blue cheese or anything made with raw eggs - check your mousse to make sure the eggs are cooked enough for her to eat. Feta's another one that many lists say is a no-no during pregnancy but just make sure it's pasteurized and you're good to go!

Enjoy,
Ladyberd
http://ladyberds-kitchen.blogspot.com

[eviemichael]

Yes I should probably eliminate blue cheese as one of the endive fillings since the mother-to-be loooves blue cheese and won't be able to have it!
Maybe the alternate endive filling other than apple slaw could be a beet-orange-pine nuts filling...?

If I use super fresh eggs in the mousse does it still matter?

congrats on your pregnancy by the way!

[LindaWhit]

Oooh - the beet-range-pine nut filling sounds good! Although without knowing the people you're serving, beets tend to be one of those "Eww! I hate beets!" foods. I love them roasted especially with orange juice, but others might not be so willing to try them.

Just thought of something that might be easy to put together for an additional main dish - what about something like a Chinese Chicken Salad on small slider buns or mini-croissants?

[eviemichael]

Beets are regularly eaten and loved here in Greece. (Although everyone here seems to drench them in vinegar)- The older people may not like how I make them, but I know the girls my age will appreciate it. :)

The chicken salad is a great idea. But with two pasta sides, is a sandwich maybe too heavy of an addition? too many carbs? Maybe not....?

[LindaWhit]

Ahhh, didn't realize where you were. Beets are fine then. :-)

And per your post below - YES - the chicken in the sundried tomato pasta salad would be perfect!

[eviemichael]

great, thank you!

[eviemichael]

Maybe I can add chicken to the sun dried tomato pasta salad? To make it more of a main dish?

[Dcfoodblog]

I'd keep the chicken out just in case there's any vegetarians. Or put the chicken in and make the orzo salad as well.

[eviemichael]

I know that none of the people coming are vegetarian, but I am still including the orzo salad for more veggies to be part of the menu. :)

[karykat]

Does your mousse have uncooked whipped egg whites folded in? If so, that might be a problem. Even if the eggs are superfresh. If you know where the eggs are coming from and trust them, that would probably be fine but why worry? You could use pasteurized eggs if you can get them where you are.

[karykat]

BTW your menu sounds sensational to me!

[eviemichael]

nevermind- just found recipes that don't require raw egg- thanks for the reminder...;)

[karykat]

Ahhh. Didn't see this. No problem then.

[eviemichael]

thanks for the tips, glad you like the menu! I hope the food pleases because I don't think I will make a diaper cake...lol

[LindaWhit]

Even BETTER with no diaper cake. And please don't play those diaper melted candy bar games either. ;-)

[eviemichael]

ok THANK you- I'm so not into that stuff. I want to make it a very classy, fun little party where its just about celebrating the Mom, giving her gifts, chatting, and great FOOD! :)

[LindaWhit]

THAT'S a baby shower I'd go to and enjoy. Especially since it's in Greece. :-D Have FUN yourself and don't stress - everyone will enjoy themselves!

[eviemichael]

thank you! i love having an excuse to host. :)

[LindaWhit]

It sounds wonderful! I like the idea of several dips, salads, and veggie/pasta salads. Gives people a choice.

I would add sodas or ginger ale for drinks for those that won't want cider or coffee/tea. And perhaps a simple fruit salad in addition to the veggie/pasta salads? I know you have a walnut apple slaw, but for those that might not want the cabbage, perhaps a Waldorf Apple salad?

[tullius]

I know its crazy but there are actually some people (even women!) who don't like chocolate. Maybe you should offer an alternative dessert unless you know all your guest are perfectly same. :)

[eviemichael]

Great point. I am going to probably ask my aunt to bring a different dessert as well for a choice. thanks :)

[eviemichael]

Thanks LindaWhit! So you think its a good idea to have two different choices of dip and pasta salads or should I just pick one of each?
Do I need any more food? Maybe one more type of "main" dish like the quiche?

[LindaWhit]

Choices are good. You're always going to find someone who won't take something because they don't like something IN the dish (for instance, I LOVE olive oil, but really dislike olives or tapenade-type things - so I'd choose the spinach artichoke dip <g>).

Also - as Ladyberd said below - be careful with what pregnant women cannot have (congrats, Ladyberd!)

As for one more "main" - that's always a good idea, although I'm at a loss right now to suggest another dish. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

[eviemichael]

LindaWhit, I decided on the Waldorf for the endive spears...I usually put together apples, walnuts, celery, halved grapes, some raisins, half full fat greek yogurt, half mayo, apple cider vinegar., dash of cayenne..any suggestions to make that better?

[LindaWhit]

Ummm, I now want that for dinner. So no, I think you're JUST fine! LOL I like the idea of raisins and halved grapes added to the mix as well.

[eviemichael]

thanks! OK, now I think I'm good and ready...:) Although all this recipe research has made me hungry for some not bathing suit friendly food...oh, well.