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Critique/help me decide my menu
I decided earlier today to host dinner on Saturday night for 8-12 people. This is the menu I've thought up while sitting on the couch with my cookbooks for the past hour. It doesn't quite feel right to me; let me know what you think. No dietary concerns.
Apps
Herb dip with veggies
Shrimp dip with fritos
Cheese and crackers?
Entree
Mixed grill with cilantro pesto
Sides - the first two I'm certain of, the other two I'm not
Homemade version of this salad without chicken
Hashbrown casserole (the only thing that needs the oven)
Cherry tomatoes stuffed with homemade pimento
Desserts
Do any of these sound good? Mixed berry pie, lemon cream tart, cheesecake squares, sour cream pound cake ($), chocolate key lime cupcakes, rustic plum tart.
Raspberry beer cocktail (I told everyone to BYOA, so I'm not sure if this is necessary?)
Re: Critique/help me decide my menu
I would only do one dip, not two.
I'd also lose the hasbrowns. Since you've already got tomatoes in the first salad, I would come up with a different idea for the last one.
For dessert, the plum tart gets my vote.
I don't think that you need the cocktail if it's BYOA.
Agree with Kim. I'd probably lose the veg and herb dip and maybe replace with marinated veg or nothing at all.
I also agree you have tomatoes so no need to double that. I'd probably slicce some potatoes and through them on the grill. You could also do some veggie packets. Simple and fits a little better for me.
The plum tart sounds good. Maybe have some chocolates too even if it's just a bowl of kisses next to the tart.
Even though it's BYOA I'd have some sort of drink. Just because it's fun.
I agree with pp's as well but you also need a starch. The menu just doesn't seem to "flow" together and you have hashbrowns, but they definitely don't go with the items you're having. I would do roasted potatoes or a roasted veggie mix with potatoes in it. Or even some sort of pasta dish. This Cilantro Potato Salad is really easy and good and it would complement the mixed grill you're having. Otherwise, grilled garlic bread is easy and yummy too!
Hi! I agree with the pp posts and also wanted to share the recipe for my favorite summer side...
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
3 Cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 Tablespoon Coarse Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Distilled White Vinegar
1/4 Cup finely chopped Dill
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground Pepper
Place cucumber slices in colander. Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes, stirring occassionaly. Meanwhile, for dressing, stir vinegar, dill, sugar and pepper in large bowl until sugar is dissolved. Drain cucumbers, pat dry, Add cucumbers to dressing and stir to blend. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes. (Adaped from Anna Pump's cook book Summer on a Plate).
(I make this the day before when I have guests and it is great. I would double the cucumbers and leave the dressing amount the same).
Good Luck and Have Fun!