Menu Ideas

[muzette7]

So we are having our big family shin dig at our house in 2 weeks. It is for my old mans birthday as well my moms, MIL and sons. We buy big fat strip stakes from the butcher shop for the adults and the kids get burgers, so it is not a cheap shin dig. I just need some fresh ideas for side dishes and desserts. We will have 10 adults and 8 kids. Here is what I am making so far...

Stake and burgers

Sides....

grilled asparagus

grilled veggie salad (peppers, eggplant, artichokes, leeks, tomatoes marinated in diff things
....I made this last year and it was a hit but thinking about replacing it with something else.)

spinach strawberry salad

Dessert....

fruit and brie plate

Cocktails.....

mojitos (with sugar cane swizzle sticks)

white peach sangria


So I need some more ideas for side dishes and one more great dessert.

[StephanieM]

Re: Menu Ideas

I really like corn on the cob that is grilled. You could make homemade ice cream for dessert.

[azucar]

Re: Menu Ideas

For a quick side I steam potatoes, cut into 2 inch pieces, with garlic cloves and fresh rosemary sprigs. After they are cooked, I put them in a bowl and sprinkle a few drops of olive oil & crushed black peppercorn and let them sit to absorb. Small red potatoes work great.

For a quicker dessert, I serve a large cheesecake with bowls of dark cherry pie filling (Comstock brand is the best), frozen strawberries (mashed), and whipped cream.

[Sewcute]

Re: Menu Ideas

keeping in the grilled dessert theme...why not grill some peaches and serve with ice cream and carmel sauce?

OR

How about a smores bar? I made it this weekend and it was a HUGE hit! I chocolate covered graham crackers way in advance, kept them in the fridge.
On the day I layed out bowls filled with peanut butter, strawberry and cherry jam, carmel sauce, Apple butter, and pear cinnamon spread for everyone to spread on the grahams before the marshmallow went on.
Then I put out candied walnuts, rasionettes, mini kisses, sprinkles, etc to put on the marshmallow before the top went on. Everyone LOVED making their own concoctions and LOVED sharing their "recipe" with others. We used our fire pit, which everyone was huddled around...it was a really nice family moment.

Edited to add: I forgot I also had out fresh sliced strawberrys, kiwis, and bananas.

[muzette7]

Re: Menu Ideas

Wow some great ideas, but I forgot to mention that everyone is diabetic

[tastebud]

Re: Menu Ideas

Try the punchbowl cake I posted at T&T! You could always get sugar free pudding mix and use another kind of cake that is sugar free.

[Sewcute]

Re: Menu Ideas

wouldnt the grilled peaches still work?

[nuisance]

Re: Menu Ideas

Use Angelfood Cake For The Punch Bowl Cake, Angelfood Is A Freefood On Diabetic Diets!!

For The Kids, Make A Big Thing Of Mac And Cheese, Most Of The Adults Will Probably Eat It Also!! Lol

[wellsms]

Re: Menu Ideas

Grilled pineapple is so yummy, I just use the can-but I bet fresh would be even better.

[muzette7]

Re: Menu Ideas

I just love grilled fruit (dipped in brown sugar first) however his family just wont try it. I just finally got them into brie and cantaloupe last year, I am working on them.