Help with planning a menu!!!!

[Charmie777]

I've been asked to cater a small event in January. About 12 women. They want the food to be special, so that the women will fee special. I'm knocking around a lot of ideas. Any others would be appreciated!

One dish I'm looking at is Black Raspberry Glazed Chicken With Wild Rice Stuffing. It's my own recipe, but I'm wondering what you guys think would go with this as sides and accompaniments.

Help!

[SarasotaCook]

I think that looks wonderful. I can't believe 2 3 stars. And the one who said overcooked, well she cooked it. And if they don't like orange, just cut back a bit; but I think the orange would be wonderful.

Nice dish. Since it has rice and a fruit component; I would stick to a fruit theme.

- salad, with maybe roasted pears and blue cheese over mixed greens
- I like brussels; but not everyone likes those. Beans are always safe; but, maybe a mix of yellow green and cranberry to give a bit of color on the plate.

I also like the idea of a kale or swiss chard stir fry. NOT mush, but a light stir fry. It is very quick (5 minutes), but goes very well with the rice, chicken and fruit glaze. You could add a light lemon and garlic flavor, a nice complement to the rice.

Personally, I wouldn't want potatoes, as you already have rice; but a nice homemade bread would be really good on the side. Like a rustic light baguette toasted.

But, another thought. I love to serve a salad with a toasted baguette slice with fresh ricotta and lemon or an olive tapenade - so the bread and salad are the starters.

It is also really fun to serve a salad as a starter but one that contains more than just lettuce. Maybe a seared scallop with a citrus glaze; or a grilled shrimp over greens; or even roasted artichoke over a bed of greens with a lemon dip.
Even roasted asparagus with a lemon vinaigrette over greens with ricotta toasts.

With a big salad, it allows you to have a simpler main dish with the chicken and 1 side; and then dessert.

I have recipes in mind, but I wanted to hit you first some ideas.

[Charmie777]

Love it!!!
I'm not set on the main dish. The parameters I was given was:

Make the ladies feel appreciated and pampered
Kind of a banquet/spread theme, as in lush not buffet
Not too complicated of dishes (I might only be supplying the recipes and directions - but I really am leaning toward cooking)
Not too expensive, as they are on a budget, but I've been given no $ amount

Any ideas for main? She didn't want anything "ordinary", specifically no lasagna (her words). Her exact quote was, "I want when they put the food in their mouths they say, 'ah! I'm appreciated'. LOL Tall order!

[Charmie777]

Another thought is Chicken Pesto Pillows

[SarasotaCook]

I make a similar dish; but I don't add the cheese to the bottom; I found that the cheese prevented the chicken from cooking., but I did add the pesto and cheese to the top. The bottom crisped up and the chicken cooked all the way through.

I used a large extra breast and cut them in half, almost made a pretty square which allowed me to wrap like a present, also, more of a female size because we had other food to go with it. I made a sauce with white wine and marinara, to drizzle over the top.

You could serve it with a nice grilled antipasto salad

A nice soup is also really fun to start with. It is easily made ahead which is nice. A really nice starter dish vs a salad. Do an antipasto salad with the main course (which could include tomatoes, mushrooms, artichokes, over baby greens. Then a fancy dessert ... Desserts are not my strong suit; but a pretty coffee ice cream dish would be really nice with an Italian type of flavor.

[mickeydownunder]

OK, JUST saw this thread today, so give me a bit to suss out suggestions

REALLY Love your chicken recipe with rice!!

WHOO HOO!

Will get back to you asap too!

[mickeydownunder]

OK, off the top of my head (and I am still looking) I would think if you are already serving a chicken dish and want a second dish, the second dish should be something other than chicken ie fish etc

I was thinking along the lines of pastry as WHO does not love opening up a parcel to see what is inside You could save money in using the same rice for both dishes, serving the pastry one on a small bed of wile rice

and also as a suggestion...

and to save money You don't have to cook a FULL big chicken breast for EACH person and with other things, seems to me a BIG portion, but you would know better

You could either cut the HUGE chicken breasts in half or you could cut in slices and serve say 3 slices per portion...I am QUEEN of making a little go a LOT longer way especially budgeting wise...not saying to be cheap and make the plate look like there is not enough food...but in the plating, you can do both

I did see this puff pastry...mushroom and spinach so far

http://bakebakebake.livejournal.com/1482499.html



Also off the top of my head, you could make a unity salad...if you knew the names of all 12 ladies who will be attending, you could create a salad with an ingredient starting with EACH person's name so while only ONE part of the salad, with everyone's name making them feel special, they are a part of a WHOLE and who wouldn't want to feel connected like that in some way...

Still looking as have more great suggestions too! WHOO HOO!

[mickeydownunder]

Seafood Puff pastry Pie?

http://www.opensourcefood.com/people/HungryJenny/recipes/seafood-soup-puff-pastry-pie



Interesting side and could even place this on the table and serve cold too

http://www.hellomagazine.com/cuisine/201209279447/pomegranate-fennel-asparagus-salad/



Looks elegant

[mickeydownunder]

Charmie777 wrote:
Love it!!!
I'm not set on the main dish. The parameters I was given was:

Make the ladies feel appreciated and pampered
Kind of a banquet/spread theme, as in lush not buffet
Not too complicated of dishes (I might only be supplying the recipes and directions - but I really am leaning toward cooking)
Not too expensive, as they are on a budget, but I've been given no $ amount

Any ideas for main? She didn't want anything "ordinary", specifically no lasagna (her words). Her exact quote was, "I want when they put the food in their mouths they say, 'ah! I'm appreciated'. LOL Tall order!

always best to provide two choices I have found

[mickeydownunder]

Elegant and guilt free HEZy that works for me lol

http://www.yumsugar.com/Picture-Pomegranate-Tahini-Salad-Recipe-13147593

[mickeydownunder]

CAPPACHINO CHEESECAKE FROZEN! YUM!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cappuccino-cheesecake-frozen-dessert-52781.aspx



APPLE ZEPPOLE WITH CINNAMON



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/apple-zeppole-with-cinnamon-whipped-cream-recipe/index.html

Am I on the right track?

WHOO HOO!

[Charmie777]

Mickey! Wonderful suggestions!! I'm gonna be looking at those recipes!

[SarasotaCook]

C - I know you said your blackberry chicken; but I also make a dish with pork medallions
Similar to your dish, but thought I would share
http://www.food.com/recipe/pork-medallions-with-a-blackberry-wine-sauce-391243

I also serve over wild rice or even a basmati rice
Pork can be very affordable as well. Especially if you buy a whole loin and cut your own.

Pork milanese (sp?) is also very affordable. Pounded thin pork loin, dredged in flour

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/pork-milanese/
I'm not always fond of RR's recipes, but this is almost identical to how I make it; and the salad is excellent. I do cut my own pork loin vs chops, but same recipe.



This too would be nice with pasta or rice, relatively inexpensive and very pretty. The salad really makes it; and when I make it thinner cut, it takes just 5 minutes to cook. Everything else is done.

Poached Pears
One of my favorite recipes and easy to make ahead. Then just serve
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/vanilla-poached-pears-recipe/index.html



I do actually like hollandaise sauce, NOT every one does; but sometimes a salad can be served with roasted asparagus and a drizzle of hollandaise; makes a very elegant starter course.

Or ceiche is they are adventurous served in martini glasses. You could even make it with cooked seafood if they prefer; makes a really nice starter dish.

Try a bed of baby organic greens topped with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and pearl onions. A nice unique salad.

Or try endive leaves stuffed with a chopped salad or mixed veggies to start.

[mickeydownunder]

Charmie777 wrote:
Mickey! Wonderful suggestions!! I'm gonna be looking at those recipes!

WHOO HOO

Need any more suggestions...if so, just list what and will try and find more suggestions WHOO HOO

do the ladies all know each other ie a group as many years ago I saw this happen...people were paired off in twos and spent two minutes EACH telling the other about their life...then they introduced the person they got to talk to to the crowd...was a bit of fun

ie If you and I spoke for two minutes EACH then I would say I would like to introduce my friend Charmie who is wonderful and witty, she inspired me to cook and she has a son she is very proud of etc....think you get the picture WHOO HOO!