menu for afternoon backyard celebration

[noya]

So my hubby is about to turn the big 4-0, and we'll be having a very casual backyard celebration with friends to honor him. For the menu, I'm thinking bites because we're calling the get together for 3-5 p.m. Also, we're not doing any meat as this day happens to fall on the holiday of Shavuot, which is traditionally a dairy holiday. One last thing--nothing from the oven, also in observance of the holiday.

Here's what I've got so far:

cheese/cracker plate
crudite
gourmet snack mix
dried fruit and nuts plate
watermelon
grapes
berries

champagne
seltzer w/lemon and lime wedges
iced tea
water

suggestions? please and thank you!

[Bellachefa]

melt fine dark chocolate chips over water and then dip blackberries, strawberries and pineapple slices, let rest on parchment to set before plating. garnish with mint

[mamachef]

noya, stuffed grape leaves are great at room temp. A Greek Salad or Greek salad kabobs are generally well-received. Stuffed mushrooms; also great room temp. And have you got a recipe for vegetarian chopped liver? 'Cause such a thing does exist, and it is DELICIOUS, to the extent that I ate some not knowing it was a vegetarian mock-up. Include some cocktail rye bread and mini-challah in your cracker assortment; it's a nice hearty bite. Spinach dip in a bread bowl is always popular, and works with the crudite you're already serving. If you want something heartier than that, consider room-temp mini falafels served with hummus for dipping, or stuffed into mini pita halves, dressed with hummus, and garnished with a Middle Eastern salsa type thingy.

[noya]

love these ideas!!! how inventive. thanks!

[magiesmom]

can you bake the day before? It would be nice to have some kind of savory mini cheesecakes, like smoked salmon as cheesecake is traditional. I'm sure there are no bake ones, also.

[noya]

yes, this is a great idea.

[rizzo0904]

You could also do something with mozz/roasted peppers/basil/tomatoes. Either little skewers or some sandwiches.

[noya]

yes! love it

[JEN10]

You said no meat, how about seafood?

[mamachef]

I don't know how observant the person who wrote the OP is, but I suspect no seafood, if it's shellfish you're referring to.

[JEN10]

I was thinking about a salmon dip, or an orzo salad with roasted shrimp, asparagas, sundried tomatoes, & chives, with a lemon dressing.

[mamachef]

That salad sounds wonderful, Jen10, but what I meant was, shellfish isn't kosher, and chances are if they're observing this holiday as well as the Sabbath, they do not consume it. :) the salmon pretty much depends on the degree of observance, but the shrimp's an almost definite no-no.

[JEN10]

Thanks for the information mama. The salad is GREAT, a beautiful thing for the spring. Msybe a gazpacho would work.

[noya]

you nailed it--no shrimp for us ;-)

[rizzo0904]

cucumber/cream cheese tea sandwiches
olives
hummus/tabouleh with veggies or pita wedges

[noya]

another great idea--thanks :-)

[escondido123]

How about a foccacia/pizzza served at room temperature? You could do one with herbs, onions and cheese, maybe even some sun dried tomatoes and olives, and then a nice drizzle of olive oil. Then cut it into wedges to serve.

[noya]

very nice!