Mission Impossible
Somebody, please, for the love of God -- HELP ME!!!
My mission, which I've already chosen to accept, is to host a baby shower for our friends. I threw Jon under the bus, too, as he is the co-host.
Easy, right?
Not so much.
See, this is a co-ed shower. So no dainty tea type bullshit will work here. And it's for around 30 people who will be at our house from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., also known as lunch time. And we don't really know about half of these people. And pregnant people can't eat, like, ANYTHING THAT TASTES GOOD. I really need some help.
I've scoured recipes sites for a workable menu to no avail. So far, the front runner is varied paninis with some salads and such. I'm a cake baking champ so I've got that covered. Despite our ongoing affair with restaurants, which was born out of lack of time rather than talent, Jon and I can kick the ass out of any recipe we come into contact with. That said, I'm not making foie gras canapes for 30 people that really won't give a shit. I'd like a menu that is really damn tasty without requiring us to be in the kitchen for the three days leading up to the party (or during the party for that matter).
Normally I can plan a party at the drop of a hat but with this one, my dearests, I am at a complete and total fucking loss. Please send help. I've got about three weeks to figure this shit out.
xoxo
Joy
"To eat is a necessity. To eat intelligently is an art."
--La Rochefoucauld
posted by Joy @ 7:50 PM
8 Comments:
So, is this finger food, or can it require flatware and plates that don't bend?
Not necessarily finger food but there is no way in hell that I am serving a sit down meal for 30 people in my 1200 square foot condo:).
Two thoughts -- one, if the most famous chef in history was expecting a baby with his mrs., I bet he would invent a dish called "Pickles & Ice Cream", which would probably involve pickled rhubarb or maybe a tomato sorbet with pickled green tomatoes.
Two, when my wife was pregnant the first time she had terrible heartburn and spent the last trimester struggling to absorb enough calories with protein shakes and soup. Maybe it would be cool to have shooters of chilled soup, like gazpacho, or a carrot or cauliflower puree, served in cute little Dixie cups. Of course the trick would be to make sure it doesn't look like a sample cup...
Frittata, some with sausage too!
Green Bean Frittata with Parmesan Cheese
Ten minutes to prep and six minutes to cook, this speedy supper can be on the table quicker than you can call for carryout! If you don’t have green beans on hand or just don’t feel like cooking them, use what you’ve got. Leftover cooked potatoes, grilled or roasted vegetables, caramelized onions, dried tomatoes, sauteed and fresh herbs make great frittata fillings.
2 whole eggs
8 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound cooked green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup shaved Reggiano parmesan cheese. See note.
Heat broiler. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet with an ovenproof handle over medium high heat.
Pour egg mixture into pan. Add green beans and basil.
Using a heat-proof spatula slowly stir eggs in figure eight motion until just beginning to set on edges.
Reduce heat to medium low. Continue cooking, occasionally sliding spatula around edges of pan, allowing raw egg to flow underneath until frittata is set on bottom but not on top, about four minutes.
Lay parmesan slices over frittata, place pan under broiler and cook just until top is set and golden brown. Serves 4.
Note: Use a carrot peeler to shave very thin slices of parmesan from a wedge as you would peel the skin off a carrot.
Do not press down hard or the slices will be too thick, and you will use twice as much to cover the surface of the frittata — which will double the calories from the cheese.
Per serving: 150 calories; 6.8 g fat (2.3 g saturated fat; 41 percent calories from fat); 8.4 g carbohydrates; 111 mg cholesterol; 539 mg sodium; 14.5 g protein; 1.4 g fiber.
I'm on a Middle Eastern kick lately and that cuisine makes great party food--hummus, baba ganoush, aram sandwiches, dolmas, etc. It's cheap to purchase or make and people generally like it--it works for vegetarians etc.
3 words.
Fri. Ta. Ta.
Paninis are also a great idea--make several types and cut into two-bite triangles.
Parmesan fricos topped with olive tapenade and a bit of ham or prosciutto should be OK. You can also use rare roast beef to top them.
You could also do smoked salmon roulades--a bit of cream cheese, a few capers. Depends on whether your friend is eating smoked salmon; many pregnant women are comfortable doing so.
Roll-your-own non-fish sushi with avocados, cucumbers, prosciutto, cheese, and whatever strikes your fancy! These make for great parties where the guest take care of themselves. And a competition at the end for the best rolled, best looking, best tasting sushi!
Having actually thrown one of these coed baby shower/parent blessing thingies, I support the middle eastern food idea- lots of food, easy to pick at, covers a variety of eaters- vegans, food allergies, etc etc. Serve dates stuffed with chopped apricots and pistachios mixed with a little sugar and rosewater, then roll the date in more sugar. Mmm, mmm. also, leftover food can be easily packaged and sent with the parents to be. I also would suggest asking them if they want folks to start a food delivery chain- for the first 2 weeks after the baby was born, my friends were treated to a variety of homemade goodies and restaurant deliveries- make people sign up while they are licking their lips enjoying your treats. good luck-
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