Welcome Home Party Aftermath

Another party has ended and all the dishes have been done. Tom and Miriam have officially moved home from Malaysia! I would say over all this party was a great success. The guest list was about 25 which makes for a more manageable group. I was definitely less stressed this go around.

I started Saturday morning with preparing the brie. This took about 20 minutes and then I placed in the fridge for storage. Then I was off to get my haircut, which by the way I chopped 6 inches. Then when I got back I started the remainder of the food preparations. I made the quiche, breadsticks, gnocchi, eggplant stacks and then ended with crab cakes. This way the crab cakes and eggplant would be hot when the guests arrived.

We started this party a little earlier than I normally do since we had a bit older crowd and kids were welcome. The party started at 5:00 and the last guest left at approx. 11:30.

The most popular item was the crab cakes followed by the eggplant stacks. The least successful item was the gnocchi again. I have to say that means that I won't be making any more gnocchi for parties. I was also disappointed in how the breadsticks turned out. They were quite dry and didn't have a whole lot of flavor so I won't be making those again either. Despite this I really feel the menu was perfectly planned as we didn't have to many left overs. Below is the recipe for the crab cakes for those interested.

I would say total cost of party was approx. $400 which is about $16 a person. Not to bad since that total includes alcohol. Which by the way we had the perfect amount.

The next party to plan is the bridal shower, a birthday party and a housewarming. Busy times around the corner. Cheers!

Crab Cakes
courtesy of Paula Deen

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Yield: 4-6 Servings

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells
1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)
3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt Dash cayenne pepper
Flour, for dusting
1/2 cup peanut oil
Favorite dipping sauce, for serving

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Serve warm with preferred sauce.

Upcoming Dates

February 23 - Adrianne and Pete's Birthday Party/Crawfish Boil: Just doing a cake and decorations.
March 29 - Deidra's Birthday
April 5 - Sports Party at friends
April 19 - Housewarming for Donald and Jimmy

I also have a bridal shower to work on and the date is yet to be determined for this one.

St. Patricks Day is on a Monday this year and I am working every weekend for the Rodeo so I may have to miss festivites.

More posts to follow soon.

Various Updates

Two more parties to work on, a house warming in April and a birthday party in March. We are also approaching St. Patricks Day and Rodeo time so lots of activities buzzing about.

In other news.... In preparation for Saturday I dropped by World Market and the liquor store. I ended up at the Mandola liquor store on Richmond. They average about $3-4 more per bottle. I was trying to save time so I figured the cost was worth it. Since we have a group of 16 coming I bought 4 bottles of white (Clos Du Bois Chardonnay), 4 bottles of champagne (Chandon) and of course vodka (Absolut for mixing and Kettle One for martinis or shooters).

I won't be able to do any preparations tonight since I have plans at Max's Wine Dive. I will publish more informaiton as the event approaches.

Cheers!

Shopping Lists for February 16 Event

I have changed the menu for the 16th. Here is what I have:

Brie en Croute with Mushrooms
Mini Onion Quiches
Crab Cakes
Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Stacks
Cheese and Rosemary Breadsticks
Smoked Salmon
Spinach Dip
Gnocchi with Basil Pesto
Assorted Desserts

Here are the stores and prospective lists:

Specs List:
Vodka
Club Soda
Dry sherry?

Costco:
Brie
Crab Meat (2lb crab meat)
Wine - white
Champagne - 3 bottles
Plates
Flowers
Smoked Salmon

Kroger:
Onion
Mushrooms (1/2lb)
Ritz Crackers – 1 box
Green Onions – 2 bunches
Milk
Swiss Cheese
Dry mustard
Flour
Lemon
Peanut oil
Cocktail sauce?
3 large eggplants
Balsamic vinegar
Garlic
Frozen spinach box
Cream cheese (for spinach dip and smoked salmon)
Sour cream
Ranch dressing pack
Chives cheese aloti pack
Parmesan
Gruyere
Breadstick dough (2 container Pillsbury)
Limes
Crackers for dip
Eggs

Central Market:
Nutmeg – fresh
Tomato (4 large)
Pesto – 1 medium container
Fresh mozzarella – 1.5lbs
French bread loaf (for salmon and spinach dip)
Rosemary

Cost Plus World Market:
Gnocchi – 4 packs

Bakery
3 dozen cookies

Arnies:
Silverware
Napkins

Flying Solo - Party Planning Number 2

As previously mentioned the next party I am planning is a Welcome Home party for friends Miriam and Tom. They are moving back to Houston after living abroad for several years. I sent the evite out about two weeks ago and the current head count is 12. The event is being held on Saturday, February 16 at 5:00pm. It's a little early to accommodate the couples with children and the parents of the guests of honor.

So far I have been working at planning a menu. It needds to be vegetarian friendly since the guests of honor and several of the attendees are also vegetarian. Here is what I have thought of so far:

Eggplant Stacks
Spinach Dip
Parmesan Twists
Baked Brie
Smoked Salmon
Crab Cakes
roasted Veggies
Stuffed Mushrooms
Gnocchi in Tomato Sauce

I am positive the menu will change since I am still in the research stage. Sice this is more of a small gathering I will probably just decorate with tea lights and other candles. Maybe some photos of their travels.

As far as drinks I will do an assortment of wines and champagnes. This is more of a wine and cheese with hors d’oeuvres. I will keep you posted as to my progress.

Cheers!

PS - I am also in the works planning a Bridal Shower for Elizabeth who is having a destination wedding. Lots to celebrate in 2008!

Super Bowl the Aftermath

Well where shall I start, hmmm let's start from Friday, February 1. I took a half day off work Friday to run some of the errands. I started off at Cost Plus World Market to pick-up the gnocchi ($12) then I was off to Costco for some other items($75). Deidra, Carl (a recruit) and myself headed over to the Signature Kroger Friday evening. With the typed list in hand we were able to weave our way in and out of the aisles in about an hours time. Not to bad given the size of the list. Total Kroger cost was $335.00. OUCH! Decided we need to drown sticker shock with lots of vino so we headed over to Fred's Italian Corner afterwards (http://www.eatatfreds.com/).

Started Saturday morning off by cleaning the house to make it presentable for the party. I even put the decorations up and set the table. I labeled all the serving dishes so that I knew what went where and what I had left to make. After this I went to the French Gourmet Bakery to pick up 4 dozen assorted cookies. No one makes better cookies and I was hoping to shave some time by purchasing a few tid bits. Bill was $40 and yes the cookies are worth that. Deidra had a brillant idea to swing by 11th Street Cafe to buy some pizza dough from them for the pizza bites. I believe she said her cost was $20.

Sunday rolled around and ran around like a chicken with my head chopped off. I am always stressed until the last dish is made and I have a drink in my hand. The guests started to arrive around 4:00 and then we were off and rolling with the beer and drinks flowing. It was a great game but needless to say I didn't watch to much. I believe the total number of guests was about 40. This cause some problems with acoustics and seating. maybe next year the crowd should be contained to 20. Who knows.

I do think everyone had a good time. Overall the first food item to go was the shrimp and then the pizza bites. I would say the most unsuccessful items were the cheese tray and the gnocchi. Below are some pictures of the food spead. Maybe some of the guests that read this blog can comment on what they thought.

Another Super Bowl Party Update

I went to Costco last Sunday and got a few big items such as a 10lb bag of chicken wings and 2 2lb bags of shrimp (Cost $107.00).

This afternoon is my running around day. I will go to the grocery store and a few other needed places. Below is a prepared grocery list. I am sure I am missing a few items. The plan tomorrow is to set the table with serving wear and clean. Sunday morning will be for food preparation.

Grocery List

Carrots
Broccoli Florets
Cucumber
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Tomatoes – 4 large
Avocado (4 big)
Green Onion
onion
Basil
Sage
Cilantro
fresh jalapenos
2 packages of Guac/Salsa
3 cans veggie refried beans
puff pastry
grated cheese
cheese for cheese tray?? Perhaps just a brie?
Blue cheese dressing
beanie weenies
chips – tortilla, Fritos
sour cream – 2 large containers
embassa sauce – 2 cans
black olives
ranch dip for veggies
frozen pizza dough
red sauce
mozzarella cheese
fresh mozzarella balls
provolone cheese
capers
olive oil
butter
salsa (2)
large zip lock bags
skewers
pesto
olive tapenade
tobasco
cider vinegar
vegetable oil
toothpicks
pepperoni
biscuit cutter