Christmas plans and menu

Go_Dawgs

Yes, I'm crazy to be planning Christmas already, but it's my favorite holiday and I always like to have it perfectly planned out.  We're having 20 people and this is my first time hosting. My family typically does heavy finger foods instead of a full meal, but there is enough to graze on it for several hours and consider it dinner.

This is what I'm thinking about serving:

marinated shrimp

stuffed mushrooms

olive tapenade with feta on sliced french bread 

honey glazed chicken and bacon bites

golden beet tart

prosciutto and fig crostata

roasted vegetables 

red velvet cheesecake

cinnamon bread

flourless chocolate cookies 

soft drinks, wine, coffee

Is this enough variety? 

TarHeels&Rebels

Dividing a menu into food groups always helps me see it, so humor me.

Protein

marinated shrimp

honey glazed chicken and bacon bites

prosciutto and fig crostata

Veggies

roasted vegetables 

golden beet tart

stuffed mushrooms

olive tapenade with feta on sliced french bread

Sweets

red velvet cheesecake

cinnamon bread

flourless chocolate cookies

 

A couple thoughts. 

1) This depends on your family's expectations, but it's not seasonal.  Unless those are traditional foods for your family, I'd be looking for Christmasy or  wintry dishes on the buffet. 

2) The meat items might leave the men a bit grumbly.  Add something substantial like mini roast beef sandwiches. 

3) For a day like this, I like to have out easily grabable items like veggies & dip, a bowl of shelled nuts to crack, and homemade snack mix.  You might just not have listed them.

Go_Dawgs

TarHeels&Rebels:

Unless those are traditional foods for your family, I'd be looking for Christmasy or  wintry dishes on the buffet. 

I'd love some suggestions! 

TarHeels&Rebels

Ooh, fun!  Take a look at this.

Protein

Shrimp cocktail

Beef and gorgonzola toasts with herb-garlic cream

Ham & cheese crostini  (I use Virginia ham instead of prosciutto - fraction of the price and quite similar)

Veggies

roasted vegetables if they're pick-up-y and not full side dish-y

golden beet tart great choice on the root vegetable

stuffed mushrooms

Spinach pastry squares

Sweets

red velvet cheesecake

Coconut meringues

flourless chocolate cookies

Bena29

TarHeels&Rebels:

Dividing a menu into food groups always helps me see it, so humor me.

Protein

marinated shrimp

honey glazed chicken and bacon bites

prosciutto and fig crostata

Veggies

roasted vegetables 

golden beet tart

stuffed mushrooms

olive tapenade with feta on sliced french bread

Sweets

red velvet cheesecake

cinnamon bread

flourless chocolate cookies

 

A couple thoughts. 

1) This depends on your family's expectations, but it's not seasonal.  Unless those are traditional foods for your family, I'd be looking for Christmasy or  wintry dishes on the buffet. 

2) The meat items might leave the men a bit grumbly.  Add something substantial like mini roast beef sandwiches. 

3) For a day like this, I like to have out easily grabable items like veggies & dip, a bowl of shelled nuts to crack, and homemade snack mix.  You might just not have listed them.

I completely agree. You need some hearty sides to fill up all the men in your dinner party or else you may have some disgruntled partygoers.Stuffed turkey breast is always a good idea and very fillable.