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Baby Shower Menu
Hi all! I am hosting a baby shower in two weeks in Texas, and I could really use some help with the menu.
The shower will be at 2:30pm and will be between 10-25 guests. This is my first time hosting something like this, so I'm not feeling very confident about my selections. The other host and I will be making everything, so ideally I'm looking for dishes that I can mostly prepare the night before, and heat up before the party. Here is what I have been thinking about so far.
tomato, mozzarella, and basil skewers
mini mac and cheeses
chicken salad in phyllo cups
ham and cheese and turkey and cheese pretzel bites
mini stuffed potatoes
strawberry bruschetta
crudites with some kind of dip
strawberry lemonade
iced tea
chocolate tres leches
some sort of fruit dessert or cookies
So what am I missing and what should I drop?
Re: Baby Shower Menu
I would make the mac and cheese a casserole rather than individuals if you are looking to save time.
I think you need a salad. Add veggies (cucumbers, green/red peppers, tomatoes) to the salad.
I think the menu sounds good though!
I really like the menu. I do sort of feel like it needs a veg, but I can't figure out to add. Maybe swap the tomato/mozz skewers for a tomato and cucumber salad? Just slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions and marinate in some balsamic vinagrette.
I'm curious about the pretzel bites and strawberry bruschetta too. Recipes?
I think it sounds awesome but agree that another veggie item would round it out--I like to suggest a broccoli slaw or salad since it's easy to prepare and less expected than a green salad.
I'd caution you that you have a lot of individually prepped items which eat up time. Ditto pp that making one big mac n cheese is less cute but far more practical, time-wise.
And maybe this is already in your plan but even if you can't make a whole dish the night before, you can certainly make parts of it to save time the next day--the topping for the strawberry bruschetta, for example, could be made ahead of time and just put on to crostini just before serving.
Good luck and come back with recipes!!
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15
Thanks for the help!
I think making the mac a casserole is a great idea. Saves time and solves my problem of how to keep them from getting cold too quickly.
And of course, a salad. That will definitely work!
Here are the recipes I have:
Ham and cheese pretzel bites
Strawberry Bruschetta
Chicken salad bites
stuffed mini potatoes
One quick thing: you should add water to your drink selections. I, personally, am not a fan of sugary drinks. And water is probably a good idea for the mom-to-be as well.
For your "fruit" dessert. How about a shortcake station? You could have those read made cakes, (or maybe even bake some angel food cupcakes days ahead of time) berries and whipped cream.
P.S. The mom can't have the goat cheese and I noticed a couple of the items have them. Not that it's a big deal, I'm all for wine at baby showers, for example. Just wanted to let you know. GL!
HTH!
Yes we will definitely have water.
And thanks for the goat cheese reminder! I had already planned on switching up the stuffed potatoes but I had completely forgotten about the strawberry bruschetta. Cream cheese is okay though, right? I've never been pregnant, so this is all new to me. I originally had finger sandwiches and realized I had to switch that out because of the deli meat. I certainly want the mom to be able to eat everything!
My fingers are crossed that this doesn't start a Mommy War but you should check with the mom-to-be about the goat cheese. While some pregnant women avoid them, others are totally ok with soft cheeses as long as they are pasteurized.
The FDA says pasteurized is fine:
http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/healtheducators/ucm083320.htm
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15
Ha! No Mommy War worries with me. You're right about the pasteurized being ok. But my experience has been that most women err on the side of caution - especially when they didn't do the shopping themselves.
OP - cream cheese is fine.