I am probably the last one to talk about entertaining groups of more than three people. My nature regarding such endeavors is rather lazy, and the thought of having ten people over for dinner makes my poor head spin with visions of cleaning the house, preparing a delicious meal, and keeping my guests amused. I have, therefore, come to the conclusion that planning ahead and making a list of details make the project much less arduous so that when the party arrives, there are no loose ends. Everything is done, and I can enjoy the time as much as my guests. Sending out invitations two to three weeks ahead of time (especially for holiday gatherings) is the first step.
The second step is planning a menu. Since this party was to be a cocktail one, I opted for finger foods that would mostly not require silverware. I knew that variety of choices for the hors d’oeuvres would assure that everybody would like at least some of the choices, and I also knew that making twelve different appetizers in one day would be unrealistic, so I made some ahead of time over a period of several days and then went to Whole Foods in Denver for a selection of their amazing French pastries for dessert. I told my guests that they would not need to have dinner before coming, as the hors d’oeuvres would constitute an actual meal. One of the most popular items was organic chicken breast which Jim smoked. It was then easy to cut into cubes and arrange on a big platter with a shot glass of toothpicks next to it.I cleaned the house little by little over a period of days before the party, and by last night, the food was ready, and so was the house.
Instead of preparing a variety of cocktails, I served a crock pot of hot organic cider with mulling spices, and my partner Jim prepared a Danish Grogg in another crock pot. That hot drink served in mugs was quite a hit with our guests. I will include the recipe for that beverage. I’ll also include the final menu and the very simple recipe for the delicious spinach squares.
The main reasons for any such gathering are the fellowship of one’s guests, the stimulation of conversation, the joy of laughter, and the sharing of one’s house with friends. Keeping those things in mind, you can’t really go wrong in planning any dinner or other party. It can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish.
Open cucumber sandwiches
Sausage-stuffed mushrooms
Smoked chicken
Deviled crab spread
Sushi tray (tuna)
Smoked salmon wheels with cream cheese
Spinach squares
Deviled eggs with pimento and tuna
Prosciutto-wrapped dates
Ham-wrapped asparagus tips
Smoked oysters with cream cheese
Fruit tray and vegetable tray
Sun dried tomato spread
Cranberry/apricot chutney
Beverages: red wines, chilled Riesling,
Mimosa, Glogg
coffee. Dessert: French pastries
Recipe for Grogg, a Danish winter drink
Ingredients:
* 1 bottle of red wine
* 0.5 Liter inexpensive brandy or vodka
* 10 cardamom pods
* 1 cinnamon stick (broken down)
* 1/2 orange peel (dried or fresh)
* 1/2 lbs sugar (regular or lumps)
* Optional additions: 5 cloves, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup almonds,
Preparation:
Heat the wine and brandy spices, fruit, and nuts in a pot (and any optional additions you might like.)
Be careful not to boil the mixture; just let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
Then, strain through a cloth to remove all additions.
Serve your Glogg hot over lumped sugar (or with regular granulated sugar).
Optional: You can also serve the Glogg with raisins or almonds. If you'd like the drink to be stronger, use more brandy.
This Glogg recipe makes approx 1.5 Liter (close to 1/2 gallon).
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Recipe for Spinach Squares:
SPINACH SQUARES
4 T butter
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 10-oz. pkgs chopped frozen spinach (thawed and well drained)
1 lb. grated Monterey Jack cheese (or combination of your favorite cheeses)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup buttermilk
Cook spinach and drain well. Melt butter in a 9X13 pan. Beat eggs and milk together.
Add flour, salt and baking powder. Mix well. Mix in spinach, cheese and onion to egg mixture. Pour into pan and spread evenly. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees F (preheated oven). Top will be slightly brown. Cool a little and cut into squares.
* It takes a pretty big bowl in which to mix everything.
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| French pastry desserts |
