Bridal Shower Menu - please critique

Ginger123

Shower is mid July and starts at noon.

Appetizers

Cheese cubes & grapes on toothpicks

Taco dip & chips 

Lunch

Chicken salad w/ mini croissants

Green salad w/ strawberries, mandarin oranges & dressing

Melon balls served in halved limes

Cake

 

Can you think of anything else? I think I need something else for an appetizer and to serve with lunch. Not sure if the taco dip is a good choice. I was thinking of making a pistachio jello salad for lunch as well. WDYT?

6fsn

 I think all around it sounds like a start, but it's all very fruity.  You need more food.  For apps skip the taco dip.  Replace with- shrimp dip, veggies, something else more summery. I probably wouldn't do the cheese and grapes together.  One big platter with grapes and strawberries on it and wedges of cheese with some crackers.

I'd do regular sized croissants too or count on people taking 2 of the minis.  I'd add a starchy salad- pasta, potato, maybe broccoli slaw or broccoli tortellini salad.  Another easy side is to blanch some asparagus//cauliflower and marinade overnight in Italian dressing. 

I'm not sure on the melon balls in limes either.  Limes are small, how many balls can you really fit in there? 

TarHeels&Rebels

I'm surprised 6 didn't mention this, but you've assumed everyone eats chicken salad.  While I adore it, I know plenty of people who don't.  Add another variety of sandwich, something a little out of the box maybe, like turkey with avocado.

I agree with 6 on the cheese & fruit platter and striking the taco dip. That way you'll now have cheese & crackers and fruit.

The melon ball-lime thing sounds very cool, so if you want to keep it, I'd switch your salad to a savory instead of a sweet.

The new Summer Entertaining issue of Cooks' Illustrated has tasty-looking recipes for pasta and macaroni salads, which I think would be good substantive sides.

 

Magdala9

The taco dip will overpower the lighter flavors of the rest of your menu,  A shrimp dip or salmon dip with steamed snap peas and cucumbers would be fresh and light.  I echo the PP's idea of another side dish.  I would recommend a slaw or salad too. 

6fsn

Another idea for an app would be veggie pizza.  My gocery store also does them on mini bagels which would be a great bite sized little app.

tarheels- Ha! 

lsgarver

You definitely need a starchy side--a pasta and veggie salad tossed in a tomato-basil vinaigrette, for example.  This menu also screams for deviled eggs to me, for whatever reason.  I like the idea of a shrimp or crab dip for the apps, maybe hummus with veggies.

Do you have any vegetarians coming?

ILoveRedVino

I like the cheese cubes/grapes idea.  I'd probably skip the taco dip and have something lighter - maybe hummus/pita chips or bruschetta or a veggie tray.

For the lunch, I think everything looks good, but I'd add some more options.  If someone doesn't like chicken salad (I know lots of people who won't go near mayonnaise), you could have another option - or a sandwich bar.  I do agree that you need something starch-y.  Maybe pasta salad or chips.

Coop910

I find taco dip to be on the messy side.  Not the best place for a bridal shower, but more suited for a summer party or BBQ.  What about a crab dip? Or maybe skipping the dip all together and trying something like mini crab cakes.  They are typically a big hit!

I'd also go with some sort of pasta salad.  There are so many creative pasta salads out there so you can really jazz it up.  Barefoot Contessa has a really great one!

 

amandasw

I also agree with a lot of things people have said, a couple more ideas:

- crab, artichoke or spinach dip (instead of taco dip)

- maybe an orzo pasta salad (I just made one last night with roasted asparagus, tomato, kalamata olives, feta, EVOO, balsamic and basil)

- crostini with goat cheese and caramelized onions (VERY easy)

- even a simple tray of cheeses and meats to make their own sandwich with the croissants 

Mere7706

Lots of good suggestions here.
I like the idea of the grapes and cheese together, just add some crackers and a variety of cheeses. Proscuito wrapped asparagus is ALWAYS a hit at the parties I've been to recently. I also love the idea of bruscetta- you can usually buy it made at the grocery store, then get the small baguette bread, rub with garlic and toast. top with the tomato mixture.  Kraft foods site has a recipe for an easy cool veggie pizza- I've made that before and have had many people ask for the recipe.
Something else to go with lunch- caprese salad? I like the idea of having 2 or 3 different kinds of sandwiches available- chicken salad, sliced turkey & avocado sounds great, and maybe some kind of vegetarian one- grilled veggies maybe?

Sounds like a delish party!

JamieC09

A little tweaking (as mentioned in earlier posts) will make this a great menu.

vvwalker

i agree with the previous posters in saying 'nay' to the taco dip.

maybe a spinach or artichoke dip with toasted pita chips

instead of mini sandwiches, i would do an array of salads:

cobb salad it has protein (chicken or turkey & bacon) for the meat eaters and the non meat eaters could just eat the lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese & eggs

Fruit salad

assortment of rolls & crusty breads

and the cake.