Ideas for a wide choice informal meal

In article <[email hidden]>,

David Hare-Scott said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It will be
very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack, disappear or
stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be anything from 25 to 50
starters. It will be in the afternoon, the weather will be warm to mild, I
don't know the tastes of many of the people (but assume not too adventurous)
so I want to provide a variety so each can find a few things that they like.
I want to prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can socialise
rather than be chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly
finger-food, about 2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so I am
asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

The most important aspect of this kind of party is to socialize, not
spend time during the party handling food service. I suggest simple cold
items or items that can be served in a crock pot and made in advance.
Ideas: cold cut tray, cheese platter, selection of fresh vegetables and
crackers and breads, some light wine coolers and soft drinks, maybe ice
tea and lemon aid. You can put platters of these kinds of things out and
replenish them easily as the plates of food get eaten. For hot items,
just simple dishes such as chili and meatballs in tomato sauce that can
be made a day earlier and served in a crock pot would work well.

Hi David,

Here are my two cents:

COLD
fruit platter
veggie platter with dip
cheese & coldcut platter & freash buns
spinach dip in a pumpernickle loaf
cheese ball & crackers
assorted olives & marinated mushrooms
nachos & salsa & guacomole

HOT
bake artichoke dip
store bought appetizers the kind that are wrapped in phyllo dough or you can
make your own
baked brie wrapped in phyllo served with crackers
grilled or baked chicken wings
warm or cold crab dip
struffed mushroom caps
stuffed jalapeno peppers
dry rub ribs...I wouldn't do sticky ribs since it might end up on your walls

Sangria can be made 2-3 days ahead of time & just replace the fruit with
freshly cut fruit.

Have fun & CONGRATS!!! on your new house

Take care,
SPOONS

"David Hare-Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It will be
very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack, disappear or
stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be anything from 25 to
50
starters. It will be in the afternoon, the weather will be warm to mild,
I
don't know the tastes of many of the people (but assume not too
adventurous)
so I want to provide a variety so each can find a few things that they
like.
I want to prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can socialise
rather than be chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly
finger-food, about 2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so I am
asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

David

ok, I am from The Netherlands and can't judge what would suit people in
your neighborhood. But here's the types of things I serve at parties:

a big pot of soup
Turkish pide bread and/or French bread
aubergine dip (baba ganoush)
cheeses
fruit salad
tzaziki yogurt/cucumber dip
small gherkins
olives
maybe sun dried tomatoes in oil
tapenade
brownies or something similar
paté
roast or grilled veg
couscous salad
bean salad
plain green salads, 1 or 2 dressings served separately
easy to do hot : fill puff pastry with spinach + feta cheese
maybe pumpernickel with cream cheese + chives
sliced salmon + fresh lemon

I hope you'll find some inpiration there

"David Hare-Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It
will be very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack,
disappear or stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be
anything from 25 to 50 starters. It will be in the afternoon, the
weather will be warm to mild, I don't know the tastes of many of the
people (but assume not too adventurous) so I want to provide a variety
so each can find a few things that they like. I want to prepare as
much as possible in advance so that I can socialise rather than be
chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly finger-food, about
2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so
I am asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

David

Congrats on the new digs David! I wouldn't go to a huge amount of effort so
I could enjoy and get to know the neighbors. Plenty of time later to wow
them with your culinary expertise 😉 I would also keep it simple. I don't
know about the serving of alcohol. Maybe some beer and wine. For the apps
here are a few suggestions. Oh... a chafing dish here and there is your
friend.

Cold:

Assorted cheese platter w/crackers and/or bread
Crudite'
Fruit platters
Assorted mini muffins (buy or make in advance)
A couple of salsas with tortilla chips
A meat tray and assorted breads/condiments
Tuna stuffed cherry tomatoes
Frogs Eyes (kosher dills wrapped in cream cheese and deli meat, chilled and
sliced)
Assorted dipping oils and bread
Sauerkraut salad

Warm:

Artichoke or artichoke/spinach dip
Fondue (I know, I know but it's still fun and easy)
If you want to do the oven, mini brats (frozen food case) with some
mustards are great, or grill some brats, slice and poke in toothpicks.
A con queso dip would be good, especially since the chips and salsa are
around 😉
Warm brie with apples/nuts

Have a great time and please report back, if you have time, what foods you
served and how it went over with the neighbors.

Michael

--
Send email to dog30 at charter dot net

David Hare-Scott said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It will be
very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack, disappear or
stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be anything from 25 to 50
starters. It will be in the afternoon, the weather will be warm to mild, I
don't know the tastes of many of the people (but assume not too adventurous)
so I want to provide a variety so each can find a few things that they like.
I want to prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can socialise
rather than be chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly
finger-food, about 2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so I am
asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

David

1. I would call it an Open House rather than housewarming, which
implies bringing gifts, in my experience.

2. Choice of food somewhat depends on where you live.

some easy suggestions:

Have lots of napkins and toothpicks or cocktail forks!

platter of fresh fruit and cheeses
platter (on ice) of smoked salmon with lemon wedges, crackers, thin
sliced party rye, cream cheese, and capers
small meatballs in a dill cream sauce or sweet-and-sour sauce
Buffalo wings
vegetables and dip(s)
stuffed cherry tomatoes
cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers
wedges of melon wrapped in prosciutto
flour tortillas spread with herb cream cheese, topped with
ham and tiny gherkins, rolled and sliced into pinwheels
baked stuffed mushrooms
a spiral-sliced ham with small party rolls
pulled-pork BBQ with hard rolls
cheese fondue
chocolate fondue
cheesecake squares
brownies
tiny cupcakes

gloria p

Congrats on your new house! Many of the suggestions I just read in this
thread are great, and I won't add too much, but guacamole is also a
good (and easy) thing to serve, and you can make it ahead of time. I
also am fond of a dip that blends a can of vegetarian chili with 8 oz.
of cream cheese (you can do it in the microwave or on the stove). It's
so easy, and it tends to disappear really quickly. And since people are
suggesting such great sounding platters, with wide-ranging components,
I thought I would add that if you're serving baba ganouche or an olive
platter, hummus is always a nice addition.

Hope your party is a smash!

Puester said:

David Hare-Scott said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It will be
very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack, disappear or
stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be anything from 25 to 50
starters. It will be in the afternoon, the weather will be warm to mild, I
don't know the tastes of many of the people (but assume not too adventurous)
so I want to provide a variety so each can find a few things that they like.
I want to prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can socialise
rather than be chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly
finger-food, about 2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so I am
asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

David

1. I would call it an Open House rather than housewarming, which
implies bringing gifts, in my experience.

2. Choice of food somewhat depends on where you live.

some easy suggestions:

Have lots of napkins and toothpicks or cocktail forks!

platter of fresh fruit and cheeses
platter (on ice) of smoked salmon with lemon wedges, crackers, thin
sliced party rye, cream cheese, and capers
small meatballs in a dill cream sauce or sweet-and-sour sauce
Buffalo wings
vegetables and dip(s)
stuffed cherry tomatoes
cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers
wedges of melon wrapped in prosciutto
flour tortillas spread with herb cream cheese, topped with
ham and tiny gherkins, rolled and sliced into pinwheels
baked stuffed mushrooms
a spiral-sliced ham with small party rolls
pulled-pork BBQ with hard rolls
cheese fondue
chocolate fondue
cheesecake squares
brownies
tiny cupcakes

gloria p

"Dog3" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip

Quoted message said:

Frogs Eyes (kosher dills wrapped in cream cheese and deli meat, chilled
and
sliced)
Michael

Never heard it called that--but I know I will never forget it now ;o}Don't
forget to zap the cream cheese with some horseradish. Also, you can get out
the chafing dish or fondue pot and pour in a bottle of your favorite BBQ
sauce and toss in a package of little smokies sausages or cut wieners in
chunks. Be sure to put toothpicks nearby. Not fancy, but always very
popular. Don't forget a dish of sweet pickles somewhere--I swear, if there
was nothing else but the sweet pickles, men would be happy.
Janet

"Puester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip

Quoted message said:

platter of fresh fruit and cheeses
platter (on ice) of smoked salmon with lemon wedges, crackers, thin sliced
party rye, cream cheese, and capers
small meatballs in a dill cream sauce or sweet-and-sour sauce
Buffalo wings
vegetables and dip(s)
stuffed cherry tomatoes
cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers
wedges of melon wrapped in prosciutto
flour tortillas spread with herb cream cheese, topped with
ham and tiny gherkins, rolled and sliced into pinwheels
baked stuffed mushrooms
a spiral-sliced ham with small party rolls
pulled-pork BBQ with hard rolls
cheese fondue
chocolate fondue
cheesecake squares
brownies
tiny cupcakes

gloria p

I wanna come to your party, yum. Sounds like a lot of work though.
Janet

"David Hare-Scott" wrote

Quoted message said:

I am moving into a new house soon and I would like to invite the
neighbours/friends/workers/associates/etc for a house warming. It will be
very informal, drop in, say hello, have a drink and a snack, disappear or
stay and settle in for the afternoon, there could be anything from 25 to
50
starters. It will be in the afternoon, the weather will be warm to mild,
I
don't know the tastes of many of the people (but assume not too
adventurous)
so I want to provide a variety so each can find a few things that they
like.
I want to prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can socialise
rather than be chained to the oven. I am inclined towards mainly
finger-food, about 2/3 cold, 1/3 hot.

I seem to do the same sort of stuff all the time in this situation so I am
asking for ideas the break out of old habits.

David

David --- Part of the preparation for these pinwheels is that they be
frozen. Yes, I've made them several times, freezing them always. Also,
meatballs, chicken wings, and those delightful little teriaki spare ribs can
all be made ahead and frozen. For that matter, you can make any number of
things the day before (like dips) and refrigerate, and they will be tastier
the next day --- Pam

PINWHEELS

1 pkg flour tortillas (use 6 large tortillas)

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese

1/2 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 tsp milk, only as necessary

3 - 4 green onions, finely chopped

1 lg red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 - 4 oz can black olives, finely chopped

Jalapeno peppers to taste, seeded and finely chopped (1 does nicely)

Combine cream cheese and ranch dressing mix; blend well. Add milk if
necessary to make a smooth mixture. Spread cream cheese on tortillas and
sprinkle chopped ingredients on top. Roll up tortillas. Slice (about 3/4 -
1-inch slices) and freeze. To serve, let thaw at room temperature. Garnish
with more chopped stuff.

Recipe from the American Women's Association of Hong Kong, South China
Seasons Cookbook, Volume II

"SPOONS" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi David,

Here are my two cents:

HOT
bake artichoke dip

I loooove artichokes, may I have a recipe for this please.

Quoted message said:

Sangria can be made 2-3 days ahead of time & just replace the fruit with
freshly cut fruit.

Excellent! It's so long since I did sangria, thanks for the reminder.

Quoted message said:

Have fun & CONGRATS!!! on your new house

Take care,
SPOONS

David

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

ok, I am from The Netherlands and can't judge what would suit people in
your neighborhood. But here's the types of things I serve at parties:

Well they should just learn to eat all that good stuff that you listed.

Quoted message said:

couscous salad

May I have a recipe please.

Quoted message said:

bean salad

I do this with cooked green beans, chopped onion, dressed with brown
vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and black pepper. Is that what you had in
mind?

David

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

ok, I am from The Netherlands and can't judge what would suit people in
your neighborhood. But here's the types of things I serve at parties:

Well they should just learn to eat all that good stuff that you listed.

Quoted message said:

couscous salad

May I have a recipe please.

Quoted message said:

bean salad

I do this with cooked green beans, chopped onion, dressed with brown
vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and black pepper. Is that what you had in
mind?

David

"Dog3" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Congrats on the new digs David!

... snip good ideas

Quoted message said:

Have a great time and please report back, if you have time, what foods

you

Quoted message said:

served and how it went over with the neighbors.

Well thankyou for the interest, I will do my best.

Quoted message said:

David

"Puester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:LQZUe.228296$5N3.227295@bgtnsc05->

Quoted message said:

1. I would call it an Open House rather than housewarming, which
implies bringing gifts, in my experience.

I will try to avoid that.

Quoted message said:

2. Choice of food somewhat depends on where you live.

True, this is an internationl group so I hoped to get some ideas outside
what I already know, which is of course determined to a degree by where I
live.

Quoted message said:

cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers

This is very interesting. What is jalapeno jelly exactly?

David

In article <[email hidden]>, "David

Hare-Scott said:

"Puester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:LQZUe.228296$5N3.227295@bgtnsc05->

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers

This is very interesting. What is jalapeno jelly exactly?

David

Pepper Jelly made with jalapeño peppers -- sweet and hot (usually not
very hot). Most often used with cream cheese on a cracker. Here are
some pictures:
http://images.google.com/images?q=pepper+jelly&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> Several notes since 8/18/05,
including the Blue Ribbon Brownie Recipe and a sad note added
this evening, 8/27/05.

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>, "David

Hare-Scott said:

"Puester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:LQZUe.228296$5N3.227295@bgtnsc05->

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers

This is very interesting. What is jalapeno jelly exactly?

David

Pepper Jelly made with jalapeño peppers -- sweet and hot (usually not
very hot). Most often used with cream cheese on a cracker. Here are

This cream cheese thing is really good with a sauce called "Jezebel."

1 (12 ounce) jar apricot preserves
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard
ground black pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

N.

Melba's Jammin' <[email hidden]> wrote in news:thisisbogus-
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, "David

Hare-Scott said:

"Puester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:LQZUe.228296$5N3.227295@bgtnsc05->

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly to spread on crackers

This is very interesting. What is jalapeno jelly exactly?

David

Pepper Jelly made with jalapeño peppers -- sweet and hot (usually not
very hot). Most often used with cream cheese on a cracker. Here are
some pictures:
http://images.google.com/images?q=pepper+jelly&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en

I've never seen it here - just did a bit of a search, and found plenty of
recipes, but not much else. Thought perhaps the Chilli Man might have
something similar (but can't find his website). Byron Bay Chilli Company
doesn't have anything like it.

You might have to make your own, David.

Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

In article <[email hidden]>,

Nancy1 said:

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Pepper Jelly made with jalapeño peppers -- sweet and hot (usually not
very hot). Most often used with cream cheese on a cracker. Here are

This cream cheese thing is really good with a sauce called "Jezebel."

1 (12 ounce) jar apricot preserves
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard
ground black pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

N.

Do you mix them all together?
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> Sam I Am! updated 9-12-05

In article <[email hidden]>,

Rhonda Anderson said:

I've never seen it here - just did a bit of a search, and found plenty of
recipes, but not much else. Thought perhaps the Chilli Man might have
something similar (but can't find his website). Byron Bay Chilli Company
doesn't have anything like it.

You might have to make your own, David.

Mick's ( http://www.micks.com , based in Seattle, IIRC) offers a
wide variety of pepper jellies and ships worldwide (for a fee). No
relationship to them other than being a satisfied customer when I
bought their stuff at Pike Place Market.

sd