Holiday open house menu ideas...

[nrb80]

Hi all - anyone throwing and open house or have great ideas for one?  We have 50 people coming in between 4 and midnight, ages 2 weeks to 80 years.  I was trying to convince my husband to let me have the thing catered but I've lost that battle.  Here are my ideas so far:

- Cold poached salmon
- Brescola, salami, prosciutto
- Assorted cheeses
- Crackers, baguette
- Grapes, berries, dried fruit
- Hummus with mini pita
- Veggie tray and sour cream dip
- Glazed ham
- Roast beef
- Penne in marinara sauce
- Roast potatoes
- Green beans in lemon butter
- Roast butternut squash
- Rolls
- Assorted mustard, horseradish, spreads
- Cookies
- Cheesecake bars
- Fruitcake
- Assorted chocolates

Any ideas?  Feedback?  I'm not enamored with it but lots of people make menus difficult.  I was thinking of adding crackpot mushrooms :-)

Anyone else hosting a open house or other party?  What sort of parties is everyone holding this year?

[Hmmmmm]

I think your menu sounds great.  Options for people who just want a snack, but someone could get a full meal if that is what they were expecting.  And all items that will hold up well sitting out.

[yokozbornak]

It sounds perfect to me!

[sparksals]

Looks fab.  What are crackpot mushrooms?  I make a version and wondering if it is the same.

[nrb80]

Crackpot mushrooms are from a post on the blog the other day - looks like slow cooked mushrooms in a crock pot.

[cicero]

sounds perfect. you have the four food groups covered - cheese cake, cookies, cake, chocolate.

[nrb80]

I like the way you think Cicero!

We're in the midst of a giant cookie bake in this house.

[cicero]

I like the way you think Cicero!

We're in the midst of a giant cookie bake in this house.

lol, honestly i'd be fine just with the cheesecake

[rose red]

Food sounds good to me.  Don't forget drinks and ice.

[nrb80]

Drinks are water, iced tea, hot mulled apple cider, lemonade, pineapple juice, club soda, beer, wine, and egg nog.  Torn on soda - the crowd is heavily skewed to the preschool crowd and our town is in the midst of soda ban debate.  I love diet coke but I'm not sure I want to open up the doors to the discussion.

[jpcher]

Sooo -- when is this party and where do you live? 


It really does sound good. I might add a garden salad (depending on how extensive your veggie tray is.)

[QueenofAllThings]

My mother has thrown one for years and it's basically the same menu as yours - she replaces the roast beef with a turkey, but otherwise, same thing.  It goes over very well and looks like a great menu to me.

Btw, she hosts from 6 to 11 with the same age group.

[Deetee]

That looks great.

The only things I would be a tiny bit wondering about is the green beans and the penne. Both of those are dishes that I associate with being served piping hot as opposed to buffet style (which favour the dishes that good or better just warmed up (like the ham and roast beef and squash). But that may just be my recipes.

Something in a crockpot may be good as a hot dish that does not require refilling. A crockpot of the grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs with tiny slider buns are pretty tasty.

[Outdoor Girl]

The penne, potatoes, squash and green beans strike me as a little 'off', because everything else can be eaten with the hands, if served that way.

But as long as you are prepared with table spots for those people who need them when using utensils, you're fine.

I do like Deetee's crockpot meatballs idea.

[nrb80]

I use chafing dishes to keep things hot.  I'm also not a fan of the not hand eatable, due to space, but I can't think of something that can sub as dinner with a wide variety without it.