Help with food ideas

[tink_lover]

Here is the quick - dh invited a few co-workers to our house for a Sat. night holiday get-together. I'm tired as many women are during the holidays - working, taking care of 3 kids and their schedules, doing most (ok, all) of the holiday stuff - you get the picture. I'm not a happy camper about it due to a number of factors, but the biggest is that we lost our cleaning crew a month ago - and today's the day they would usually be here. So on top of everything else, I'll have to clean on Sat. So, I need some REALLY quick, easy ideas about what to serve. I mean, really quick and easy. Like I don't care if I need to purchase frozen and heat some quiche-type things. I'm thinking I will need 4 -5 things. Ideas please?

 

[wdwmom2]

I would probably do sloppy joe's and a cheese and relish tray. You could make something for dessert or even pick something up at the grocery store.

You could also just buy a small lunchmeat and cheese tray at the grocery store. Add some rolls, a couple bags of potato chips/snacky item, and a store bought dessert.

 

[02bBarbie]

are you looking at doing a full meal or more like heavy appetizers? If it's the latter, this is a time I'd look at hitting Costco or Sam's for their various veggie and meat trays. They also have some great looking (not sure how they taste as I've not had them) frozen appetizers.

 

[tink_lover]

Heavy appetizers is more the way I'm leaning. We don't have a Costco and we aren't Sam's members so I'm trying to figure out what I can purchase at the grocery store/frozen food section? Cheese and crackers for sure.

 

[MJMouse]

My three easy, go to items....

Chili Cheese Dip

Large Container of Soft Cream Cheese
1 Can Hormel Chili (I prefer 98%FF Turkey with Beans)
Cheese (the 4 Cheese Blend)

Spread cream cheese on the bottom of a square pyrex pan. Dump chili on top. Cover with Cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until cheese melts (you can also microwave). Serve with tortilla chips. Can be doubled in a 9X13 pyrex.


Shrimp Dip
Large containter soft cream cheese
cocktail sauce
1 can baby shrimp, rinsed, drained
Mozzerela Cheese

Spread cream cheese on the bottom of a square pyrex pan. Put just enough cocktail sauce over top to cover. Sprinkle on shrimp. Sprinkle on cheese. Serve cold with crackers. Can be doubled in a 9X13 pyrex.


Festive Salad
2 bags romaine lettuce
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
a couple of handfulls of craisins
almond slivers (if no nut allergies)
1 cup shredded swiss cheese (shredded parm will work in a pinch)
Newman's Balsamic Vinegrette Dressing

Combine all ingredients... can add or subtract as required. Use as much or as little dressing as you like.

Tip... put the dressing on right before serving. I've also added chopped apple or pear when I have some on hand.

 

[HeatherC]

Antipasto Platter: Just buy a couple jars of: roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, olives, artichokes, etc.. Buy some pepperoni and cheese to go with it and serve on a large platter.

To go with that: Slice up a loaf of french/italian bread and put out some flavored olive oil for dipping.

Frozen shrimp cocktail is another easy one.

I feel your stress!!! Good luck and have a great holiday!

 

[HeatherC]

Forgot to mention: our supermarket has buffalo chicken tenders at the deli that are really good. Just reheat and serve with celery and blue cheese. Tyson also makes some good frozen stuff. And people always love the Friday's Potato Skins.

 

[Darcy03231]

First of all I'd put DH in charge of cleaning on Saturday since the "party" was his idea.

For food I'd go with:

Platter of sliced meats and cheeses and finger rolls
Cheese & crackers
Chips & dips
Veggies & dip

and a dessert platter.

You can get all these premade at the grocery store.

 

[Bren's Mom]

In addition to all of the great ideas you've already gotten I'd add:

If you have a Trader Joe's pick up their Carmelized Onion and Feta appetizers. They come frozen, you cook them right in the plastic pan they come in inside the box. And they are TO DIE FOR. Really yummy. They have several others as well, I think a pepperoni one that was good as well.

And if you have a BJs or Costco that you belong to their appetizer sections generally have great things. Mini spinach artichoke bread bowls, mini quiche, mozzarella sticks, mini rollup sandwiches (frozen), ready made dips like crab dip (refrigerated).