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Open House Menu Help
Hi, Ladies.
I'm a newbie around here. I love hosting, but up until a few months ago DH and I lived in a teeny apartment so we didn't get to have more than 2 people over at once. We now have a house/yard and I'm ready to do it up big for our first time entertaining in our new place.
We're going to have an open house in mid-July and I'm working to get the menu lined out. I'm thinking of doing a Mexican theme, but not make it chintzy at all. There will be no theme decor. I want the food, drinks, house, and guest to be the main focus. About 40 people will be invited.
Please critique my current menu ideas. People will be coming and going throughout the day so I really need to consider that with my food choices. Any input would be great. Thanks!
Appetizers: Pineapple Salsa, Guacamole, Tomato Salsa and store-bought chips
Main Dish: Beef, Chicken, and Veggie Fajitas **Planning to do these like kabobs. I envision having several of each ready at a time, others pre-made and half-way cooked in a cooler/fridge where DH will just throw on grill to finish cooking**
Sides: Some sort of Mexican Bean Dish? Need ideas here!
Dessert: ???? Need ideas here!
Drinks: Lime margarita on rocks, Frozen Strawberry Margarita, Dos Equis,and Corona, soda/water. (Possible virgin margaritas available if kids will be attending)
Note: Everything will be homemade unless otherwise stated.
Re: Open House Menu Help
For a sit down meal I think this would be great. Since it's an open house thouugh I wouldn't grill the meats. Your husband doesn't want to spend hours in front of the grill in July and you'll want his help to show people around. For some reason the thought of halway cooked meat sitting in a fridge also seems kinda gross too. I'd just shred the meat and serve in crockpots.
For sides mexican rice, refried beans, and corn. I'd also have a toppings bar of cheese, sour cream, lettuce
Dessert: fruit salsa and cinnamon chips, tres leches cake? some sort of margarita cipcake? then something chocolatey.
Will there be places for everyone to sit and eat? This is very much a sit down meal to me. Also, keep in mind that DH will be very busy making food for everybody all event if you're looking at warming to order fajitas. I would simply make the fajitas beforehand, and keep warm covered in the oven or in a crockpot/chaffing dish.
I agree with the pps' ideas for rice, beans, toppings, and dessert.
We don't have places for everyone to sit (at one time). Perhaps I'd be better off doing app and drinks only?
I want it to be casual, but I also like the idea of having a theme so all the food compliments each other.
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The empanadas in this menu might be a good idea. Also, you could do mini versions of burritos and/or enchiladas that can be hand held and less of a possible mess.
We just did my sister's grad party on Sunday and it was mexican themed. For apps we did pineapple salsa, black bean and corn salsa, guac and regular salsa. We also had a Mexican Layered Dip. We then had a taco bar with shredded beef and shredded chicken each in crock pots. Taco toppings lettuce, tomato, etc. We had beans, rice, mexi potatoes, and a mexican pizza. For desserts, we did fruit salsa, chocolate cake, and a strawberry margarita cupcakes.
If you want to keep it apps and desserts only, do a salsa bar, some quesadillas, empandas, mini tacos?
Mexican's fun and casual, but it's messy. If someone's perching with a plate of rice and beans, you're going to be finding individual grains of rice under furniture for weeks.
The trick to perching food is that it needs to be a bite or two. It's possible to serve an entire balanced meal; foods just need to be bite-sized. Look at the empanadas pp posted, taquitos, quesadilla slices, stuffed jalapenos, etc.
But, of course, for an afternoon open house, you don't need to serve an entire meal, and it's very difficult to keep food fresh and hot for 3 hours. That's why most people serve only apps and guests expect only apps.
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I would set up a fajita bar to include rice/beans/pulled chicken/pulled beef or pork and all the toppings (be sure to keep sour cream/cheese in some kind of cold container or keep replacing, not refilling).
I would have the chips/salsa out with that...with an open house you really can't do courses...it's all a buffet
I second this... my H hated the party we hosted that he spend half the day grilling and now every party we have he reminds me he wont be posted at the grill.
I also agree with other pp... the food you have listed is best suited for a meal. Either specify a dinner time in your invite and have it ready then or stick to apps. You will be constantly showing people around your new home and not have a lot of time to tend to the food.
Thanks, ladies.
I think I'll stick with apps. I appreciate the input!