Party Time

Last night the hubby and I attended a cocktail party for some dear family friends. They are marrying in late April. The party was absolutely wonderful-just the right mix of great location, great food and great family and friends. This party reminded me of all the wonderful parties I have been to for various occasions. It also helped me recall lots of menus I have planned over the years. Some parties I recall for the food only while others are significant for the guest or the location. A couple of years ago we attended a wedding rehearsal at the Beach Club at the Cloister on Sea Island. I could not tell you what we had to eat, but the location was unbelievable. We were seated seaside, underneath a white tent w/paper lanterns hanging from the roof of the tent. The tables were elegantly and simply decorated with a glass urn w/sand and a candle surrounded by shells- by far the most beautiful setting I’ve ever seen.

There wasn’t anything new and different on the menu last night, but it was simply delicious. Then menu for last night: shrimp w/cocktail sauce, mini chicken salad on croissants, grilled pork tenderloin w/horsey sauce, mustard and rolls, grilled veggies, spinach dip w/pita wedges, lemon squares, brownie bites w/whipped cream and fresh raspberries, carrot cake cupcakes and thin mints. Along with wonderful food were typical cocktail party drinks. Over the next week I’m going to post some of my favorite party food recipes, but here is a look at my favorite southern menus for various occasions.

Some of my favorite menus:

Seated Dinner
Fresh Greens w/seasonal fruit, nuts, crumbled bleu cheese and vinaigrette dressing
Beef Wellington or Chicken Alouette
Rice Pilaf or Cottage Potatoes
Marinated Veggies
Dessert: Cheesecake or Key Lime Pie

Ladies Lunch
Homemade Chicken Salad
Confetti Pasta Salad
Fresh Greens w/seasonal fruit, nuts, feta or bleu cheese w/poppy seed dressing
Muffins
Bite-sized desserts
Sweet Tea

Easter Lunch
Fried Chicken
Mac-n-cheese
Deviled Eggs
Homemade Pickles
Marinated Asparagus and Carrots
Biscuits
Carrot Cake
Sweet Tea

Brunch
Baked French toast w/syrup
Quiche
Baked Grits or Grits Cakes
Seasonal Fruit
Muffins w/seasonal ingredients
Ham biscuits or ham/poppy seed rolls
Coffee and Mimosas

Bridal Shower
Homemade pound cake w/whipped cream and seasonal fruit
Fresca in the punch bowl
(This is a favorite Sunday afternoon shower menu at my home church.)

Coke Party (very retro)
Classic Coke or Diet Coke in the glass bottles if you can find them.
Cheese Straws
Nuts
Mini kabobs of cheese and olives
Mini sweet dill pickles
Bite size sandwiches
Bite sized sweets


Baby Dedication of Christening celebration
Fresh Strawberry or Key Lime Cake
Nuts
Cheese Straws
Punch

Annual Derby Celebration
Mint Juleps
Green Tomato Salsa and chips
Fried Chicken or Ham
Hash brown Casserole
Sweet n Sour Green Beans
Biscuits
Derby Pie

Cocktail Party
Pork tenderloin w/apricot sauce and rolls
Tray of olives, marinated mushrooms, summer sausage and cheeses
Fresh fruit kabobs
Baked cheese w/seasonal preserves and crackers
Key lime tartlets and pecan pie squares
Drink of choice