Category: Menus

A little late, but better late than never!

We spent Christmas this year with my family up north. We had a great week of visiting and food. This year, the theme was simple. We wanted to enjoy time with family rather than spending so much time in the kitchen. And I wanted to make sure that the food was as good as in the past, and the menus elegant. Here’s what we came up with.

Super Simple Christmas Eve Menu
{for 7}

1st Course: Potato Leek Soup

Entree: Crab Cakes with Creole Meuniere Sauce, Roasted Green Beans with Lemon, Pine Nuts & Parmigiano, and Crescent Rolls

Christmas Menu
{for 20}

Appetizers: Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Crackers, Antipasto Platter

Dinner: Salad with Goat Cheese Purses; Ham; Horseradish-Crusted Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce; Twice Baked Potato Casserole; Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, and Cauliflower; Spinach Salad; Thyme Dinner Rolls; Poppy Seed Dinner Rolls

Dessert: Coconut Cream Meringue Cake

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, all of my relatives flocked to my parents house for Sophie’s Christening. We had a wonderful long weekend catching up with family, half of whom were meeting Sophie for the first time.

My mom and I agonized for several weeks over the menu for Sophie’s Christening. The meal would be served early afternoon. We needed something easy, but suitable for a hot summer day. Most menus I had seen were some sort of sandwiches or brunch items. Neither of us were especially excited about that. Finally, we settled on the below menu – a combination of items we made ahead and items we ordered from a local restaurant. We ended up with a great assortment and the perfect amount of food – very little was left over.

I hope this inspires you for one of your events in the future!

A Christening Lunch/Dinner for 25

Appetizers:

Mediterranean Layer Dip

Crudite with Sun-Dried Tomato Dip

Mixed Nuts

Dinner:

Roasted Beef Tenderloin (catered)

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Scallops

 Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Quinoa with Broccoli, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Cashews (catered)

Penne Pasta with Pesto & Roasted Veggies (catered)

Bread

Dessert:

Mixed Berry Pie (catered)

Peach Pie (catered)

Coconut Cream Cake (catered)

French Vanilla Ice Cream

My family moved after my freshman year in high school. We arrived at our new home a week before school started for me to try out for the high school tennis team. That first day of tryouts, I met the woman who would become my best friend for the next 15 years.

From that first day, we were two peas in a pod. We were both trying out for the first time, both of us having moved recently. We were both the oldest child, loved tennis, and ate peanut butter sandwiches (hold the jelly and jam, please) for lunch. We stayed close throughout college and after, were lucky enough to end up living in the same state.

Now my bestie is getting married. I’m so very excited for her – she’s the sister I never had. Since I was unable to attend her bridal shower, I hosted a very small lunch with a couple of her closest friends. When I was planning, I knew I wanted something light and elegant, with a couple of simple items and a decadent chocolate dessert. Plates were wiped clean, leftover cake was packaged up for the men who were left home. I call that a success!

Menu:

Spring {Special Occasions} Luncheon for 5

Cocktails:
Champagne Cosmos

Appetizer:
Mediterranean Cucumber Bites (inspired by this Mediterranean Layer Dip)

Lunch:
Mixed Green Salad with Raspberries and Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Crab Cakes with Creole Meuniere Sauce

Dessert:
American Beauty Cake (chocolate cake + chocolate mousse + chocolate ganache)