TinDC Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 I am co-hosting a bridal shower in a few weeks. It will be more of a cocktail party, probably 5-7 pm. So, along with cocktails, I need ideas for nibbles. No restrictions, other than I am not a gourmet chef, so simple is good. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Foodie Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 If you want to take a shortcut and just buy some things instead of making everything from scratch, Trader Joe's has some good appetizer/hors d'ouvers type things. Mini-quiches, little spinach pies, etc. Also it can be fun to have a couple different cheeses with fruit and nuts and stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Tea sandwiches are the classic, and there are a million of 'em out there. One that I like to do is thinly sliced baguette (or good sourdough--mixed grain is very nice here) with a mini-slice of serrano ham, manchego cheese, and membrillo (Spanish quince paste). It's a good combination, you can make a few hours ahead because there's nothing to get the bread particularly soppy, and it's a little different than the cucumber and salmon thing. It also goes well with bubbly . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlliK Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Tapenade on crostini? Just blend up some olives with a bit of anchovy, garlic, olive oil. Maybe top w/ a basil leaf? You could also make a roasted pepper topping w/ some store-bought peppers to put on other crostinis for some color contrast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 I always like to make little rounds of cheddar shortbread. Kinda like homemade Cheez-Its. Easy to do, and a little unusual. A bowl of nuts with a spicy-sweet coating would also be good, easy to prepare ahead of time, and not too labor-intensive. Just have to watch out for burning when you cook 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeMc Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 I have done meat and cheese or cheese and fruit fondue. I've also seen people who ask the bride for memory food: stuff she had grown up with, aps from the family trove, etc. Clearly I've been to one too many lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Wrap shrimp in bacon, broil, and serve (at room temp if desired) with garlic mayonaise. Thinly spread a bit of cream cheese or soft chesse like Boursin on pieces of smoked salmon or trout, then wrap around roasted asparagus spears. Bite-sized pieces of good sausages make good cocktail nibbles, as do roasted tiny new potatoes. Both can be cooked in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 One of my easy go-to finger foods is pitted dates stuffed with peanut butter, cottage cheese, or a soft, brie-like cheese (I like to use slivers of Mirabo, which has walnuts in it). I usually make an assortment of stuffings. They look nice on a platter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinDC Posted April 6, 2006 Author Share Posted April 6, 2006 Wrap shrimp in bacon, broil, and serve (at room temp if desired) with garlic mayonaise.Thinly spread a bit of cream cheese or soft chesse like Boursin on pieces of smoked salmon or trout, then wrap around roasted asparagus spears. Bite-sized pieces of good sausages make good cocktail nibbles, as do roasted tiny new potatoes. Both can be cooked in advance. Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. For these bacon wrapped shrimp, do you use already cooked shrimp or raw? How long do you put them in the oven for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. For these bacon wrapped shrimp, do you use already cooked shrimp or raw? How long do you put them in the oven for? (For Tripewriter) Until it is done. Start with raw shrimp and make sure that the bacon is sliced pretty thin so that it cooks. Under the broiler for probably 5-7 minutes or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bioesq Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 It is hard to go wrong with boiled shrimp and a tangy horseradish sauce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenticket Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 You can make some nice (and easy) savory tarts with pre-made puff-pastry. Spread Boursin or a similar soft, herbed cheese on the pastry, and top with your choice of ingredients. I've used roasted peppers, sauteed mixed mushrooms, caramelized onions. Bake for about 10 minutes. Here's a recipe with the specifics of time, temperature, etc. And here's another one for a really easy salsa-baked goat cheese. This has been a hit every time I've made it - though I've been lazy and not made my own salsa. I used a combination of the fresh and the fire-roasted salsas from Trader Joe's. Yum! I also have an old standby from a "best of" cookbook - it's a spread made with peas (frozen I believe) and bacon. You cook some bacon 'til it's crispy, saute some garlic in the bacon grease, then combine the peas and garlic in the food processor, season, and spread on those little toasts (again from TJ's) and top with a few pieces of crumbled bacon. Totally simple, but always gets raves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legant Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 I am co-hosting a bridal shower in a few weeks. It will be more of a cocktail party, probably 5-7 pm. So, along with cocktails, I need ideas for nibbles. No restrictions, other than I am not a gourmet chef, so simple is good.Any ideas? I need a variation on the theme this time with dietary restrictions: no meat, no dairy, and no chocolate. This will be a buffet so it's not limited to nibbles. So far all of the suggestions include all three restrictions. Any other ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 I need a variation on the theme this time with dietary restrictions: no meat, no dairy, and no chocolate. This will be a buffet so it's not limited to nibbles. So far all of the suggestions include all three restrictions. Any other ideas? plain fruit salad--berries, melon, etc., in their own juicespasta with olive oil and basil or other greenery roasted vegetables in olive oil (I just did eggplant, cubanelle peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, with some basil thrown in at the end) orzo primavera Omit the cheese and use vegetable stock or water instead of chicken broth and looking back at what I wrote, dates stuffed with peanut butter would seem to work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 (For Tripewriter) Until it is done. Start with raw shrimp and make sure that the bacon is sliced pretty thin so that it cooks. Under the broiler for probably 5-7 minutes or so. Y'know, Mike, that is almost exactly what I was going to write. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tripewriter Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 (For Tripewriter)Â Until it is done. Don't forget about residual heat, Grasshopper. You must cook until it is almost done . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mame11 Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 no meat, no dairy and no chocolate (poor thing): veggies and hummus baba ganoush (spelling?) falafel pita and hummus Basically you could easily do a Middle Eastern Feast as there are plenty of veggie options and desserts don't generally use dairy or chocolate (baklava) I don't know if others on the board would agree but you can get good, if expensive, take out/catering at Lebanese Taverna on Lee Highway in Arlington... there are probably other places to pick the stuff up from that are better or as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tripewriter Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 I don't know if others on the board would agree but you can get good, if expensive, take out/catering at Lebanese Taverna on Lee Highway in Arlington... there are probably other places to pick the stuff up from that are better or as good. I've put together some nice party spreads from the Taverna deli counter. If you that style of food, it is well worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Cocktail party for 35: cheddar and smoked paprika cheese straws parmesan and rosemary cheese sticks roasted olives with herbs (recipe stolen from 2AMYS) marcona almonds warm mascarpone stuffed dates (recipe stolen from Komi) hummus with pita (purchased from Cava) eggplant-red pepper dip with pita (purchased from Cava) tiny meatballs in safron sauce shrimp cocktail cumin carrots endives with mandarins, almonds, and goat feta (recipe stolen from Jaleo) pastry tarts with crab Newburg pastry shells with duxelles samosas with sweet tomato chutney potato and chorizo banderillas with aioli asparagus and smoked salmon banderillas with lemon creme fraiche manchego, membrillo, and serrano banderillas pork picadillo empanadas spinach empanadas Stilton with candied pecans assorted coctails and wines dessert: spice cupcakes with maple buttercream If I don't get off the damn computer right now and get back to work, I'm gonna be in trouble. eta: recipes stolen, not actual foodstuffs! Trying not to panic, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mktye Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 roasted olives with herbs (stolen from 2AMYS)warm mascarpone stuffed dates (stolen from Komi) endives with mandarins, almonds, and goat feta (stolen from Jaleo) Good thing you all have a fast getaway car and excellent driving skills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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