Crowd pleasing dishes for ladies' night

[chefjeannine]

Hi all!

About 20 or so ladies from work are getting together for a girls night. I need a dish I can prepare ahead of time since I'll be going straight from work. It has to be easy to eat (finger foods and the like) and not served warm. Any ideas?

[Breadcrumbs]

Empanadas are always a hit and don't suffer at all from being served at room temp.

I served Asian dumplings on candy apple sticks (which have one pointy end making it easy to spear them without doing damage) at a recent party. These were also fine at room temp.

Mini corn muffins w jalapenos or chilis.

These Chli-Cheese Shortbread from Martha are always popular: http://www.marthastewart.com/351247/s...

[KitchenBird]

It depends on taste preference, but I love curried chicken salad in mini-pitas or phyllo cups.

Greek yogurt as a base, add shredded chicken, chopped green onions, major gray's chutney (or any other chutney you like), yellow curry powder. I also like to toss in some roasted garlic and finely chopped peanuts, but those can be omitted.

[chefjeannine]

What are all your thoughts on an antipasto skewer? With some prosciutto, bocconcini, melon, roasted peppers, artichokes, etc...

[wyogal]

Great! and easy.

[chowser]

Toothpicks would be great--with different types of bites. So many great directions you could go w/ that.

[chefjeannine]

That's what I was thinking too. Maybe even a Greek option as well (feta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives...)

[chowser]

You could even make it desserts! I'm loving this idea for a party--everything on toothpicks. It would be so easy to serve on shaped styrofoam.

[valerie]

I made these for my July 4th party and they were a huge hit. I made some of them without salami for the vegetarians.

http://www.livelovepasta.com/2012/01/...

[wyogal]

Oh. Yum.

[chefjeannine]

That's exactly what I had in mind. If they were a hit then I'll be making those!

[valerie]

And you can definitely make them with anything. I used marinated sun dried tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. I just thought it would give them an extra bit of flavor. Plus, fresh basil might be an option right now. Oh, and I used shorter skewers so I had one of each item, instead of 2. I thought it was easier for people to manage that way.

I also made a balsamic glaze, something like this with just balsamic and brown sugar, and I couldn't believe how good the flavor was. A little bit drizzled over the plate went a long way. You could make this ahead and drizzle on before serving.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/balsamic...

[ChiliDude]

D'accordo!!!

[HillJ]

Fresh spring rolls (rice paper) veg or shrimp
Fruit sushi
Tea sandwiches (thin slices of cuke & red pepper hummus)
Shrimp lollipops with a spicy dressing

have fun!

[chowser]

Ina's chinese chicken salad. I use various vegetables, not just asparagus.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/in...

[chefjeannine]

Ooh this looks good! It may be an option.

HillJ, I was thinking of making fresh spring rolls, but from experience, they're not at their best 24 hrs after making them (and I'd have to make them the evening before).

[HillJ]

If you line the plate with clear wrap and place a damp paper towel down they will keep 24 hours.

[chowser]

I did it for a womens ski group and it was a hit. I used Trader Joe's frozen haricots verts instead of asparagus (winter).

[goodhealthgourmet]

- Crustless quiche bites/egg muffins
- Shrimp cocktail
- Deviled eggs
- Bean, dairy- or vegetable-based dip with chips or crudités
- Polenta napoleons/sandwiches
- Prosciutto-wrapped dates stuffed with cheese (goat or blue)
- Cherry tomatoes or baby bell peppers stuffed with herbed goat cheese or ricotta
- Spiced chickpeas, popcorn or nuts served in muffin/cupcake liners
- Smoked salmon pinwheels
- Cheese plate

And if no one is covering dessert...truffles or cheesecake pops.

[nemo]

I haven't made this in a long time because it's so rich, but cut into small squares or triangles, it's a delicious finger food. I've always cut the recipe in half and used an 8X8 pan. I wouldn't serve it stone cold out of the fridge, so perhaps you could leave in your car for the morning, then bring it in on your lunch break to come to room temp. Leave in the pan, assemble at the gathering.

This recipe looks like the one I have at home. I know it came from an old Bon Appetite.

http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/no...

[wyogal]

In case anyone is wondering, the link is for sun-dried tomato cheesecake squares.

[nemo]

Oops! Thanks, wyogal.

[wyogal]

No worries! :)

[ChiliDude]

Before replying to your request I looked up the climate in which you live. It is cold enough there to keep a salad in your car if you drive to work.

I suggest a salad made with Romaine lettuce, small stuffed olives, feta cheese, diced sweet onion, diced bell pepper, chopped walnuts, dressed with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Maybe canned Mandarin orange segments can also be added. If you have any other ingredient that you like add that as well.

You can supply sturdy paper bowls and plastic forks for the salad if that isn't too gauche for the ladies in attendance.

For finger food, celery segments filled with a tangy cream cheese.

Buon appetito (OK, you want it in French...Bon appetite')

[hippiechickinsing]

I've made a cold peanut noodle salad served in baked wonton cups to make it easy to eat. I put the salad in the cups right before serving, as I thik they would get soggy if they sat a long time. The salad is great made the day before, as long as you can keep it cold while at work. I made the wonton cups the day of, but I think they'd be okay, too, if made a day earlier.