Weddings and the celebrations that follow can be a time of celebration when planning a big event.
A bridal shower is an intimate way to celebrate before your wedding, and it doesn’t have to be extravagant. It’s a great time to spend with close friends and members of your wedding party.
Throwing a party is easy with simple appetizers and drinks. You can minimize the workload by having attendees bring their own appetizers.
The recipes below are some suggestions. I think everyone has a “go-to” party recipe, but it’s fun to try something different every now and then.
party windmill
Recipe provided by: MADDIES MOM www.allrecipes.com
• 2 (8 oz) packages.cream cheese, softened
• 1 (1 oz) package.ranch dressing mix
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 4 flour tortillas (12 inches)
• 1/2c.shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2c.red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2c.diced celery
• 1 can (2 ounces) sliced black olives
Combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and green onions in a medium bowl. Spread onto each tortilla. Sprinkle evenly with cheese, red pepper, celery, and olives. Roll the tortillas and wrap each one tightly in aluminum foil. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight. When ready to serve, unwrap the rolled tortilla. Trim the ends and slice into 1-inch pieces. (Amount: 15 servings)
mini quiche lorraine
Recipe: Catherine Parnell-Proulx www.allrecipes.com
• 24 frozen tart shells (3 inches), thawed.
• 6 slices bacon, or more if desired
• 1 1/4 c. shredded swiss cheese,
Split (optional)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 1/4 c.milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp.salt
• 1/4 tsp.ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with tart shells. Line each shell with a layer of pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly browned and 3/4 of the shells are cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand until needed.
While the shells are baking, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and break up when cool. Combine 1 cup Swiss cheese, green onions, and crumbled bacon in a bowl. Divide the mixture evenly between the tart shells.
Combine milk, eggs, mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Ladle egg mixture into each tart shell, about 2/3 full. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Swiss cheese over tart. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is set and the shell is golden brown. (Amount: 12 servings)
golden wedding punch
Recipe provided by: SMATTERCHU www.allrecipes.com
• 1 can (12 oz) frozen orange juice
concentration
• 1 can (46 oz) sweetened pineapple.
juice
• 1 3/4 c.lemon juice
• 2 c. white sugar
• 1 gallon of water
In a 2-gallon punch bowl, combine concentrated orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir in water. (Yield: 40 servings)
party mimosa
Recipe provided by: Cheryl Blue www.allrecipes.com
• 1 can (12 oz) apricot mango nectar
• 1 can (12 oz) pineapple juice
• 3/4 c.cold water
• 1 can (6 oz) frozen orange juice
Concentration, thawing, undiluted solution
• 1 cold bottle (750ml)
Champagne
Combine apricot nectar, pineapple juice, water, and concentrated orange juice in a large pitcher. Pour into a bottle of sparkling wine just before serving. (Amount: 15 servings)
easy decadent truffles
Recipe: Jenny Saunders www.allrecipes.com
• 1 (8 oz) package.cream cheese, softened
• 3 c. confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 3 c. semisweet chocolate chips,
melted
• 1 1/2 tsp.vanilla
Mix cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix until well combined. Mix melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 15 to 30 minutes. Shape cooled mixture into 1-inch balls. (Yield: 5 dozen)
recipe tips
You can also roll your truffles in ground nuts, cocoa powder, coconut, confectioners’ sugar, or candy sprinkles. If you’re flavoring your truffles with liqueur or other flavorings, omit the vanilla. Divide the truffle mixture into thirds before refrigerating. Add 1 tablespoon of liqueur (almond, coffee, or orange) to each mixture. Mix well and continue with the recipe.
hot italian party sandwich
Recipe: Joan Hallford www.tasteofhome.com
• 1 pack. (12 oz) Hawaiian Sweet Roll
• 1/2c.mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp.prepared pesto
• 6 pieces part-skim mozzarella, or
provolone cheese
• 6 thinly sliced deli hams
• 9 thin slices of hard salami
• 6 thinly sliced deli pastrami
• 1 1/4 c.giardiniera
• 1/2c.shredded parmesan cheese
• 1c.fresh basil leaves
• 1/2c.red onion slices
• 1/4 c.I prepared a spicy Italian salad.
dressing
• Peperoncini
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the roll paper in half horizontally. Place roll bottom in a greased 11-by-7-inch baking dish. Mix mayonnaise and pesto. Spread it on the cut side of the roll. Layer mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, pastrami, giardiniera, shredded parmesan, basil leaves, and red onion on the bottom. Place the top of the bun over the filling and press gently to flatten it.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush with salad dressing. Bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Let cool slightly before cutting. Serve with peperoncini or additional giardiniera if desired. (Yield: 12 sandwiches)
cucumber canape
Recipe: Nadine Whittaker www.tasteofhome.com
• 1c.mayonnaise
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon.grated onion
• 1 tablespoon.chopped chives
• 1/2 tsp.apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp.Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove of garlic (chopped)
• 1/4 tsp.paprika
•1/8 tsp.curry powder
•1/8 tsp. each dried oregano, thyme,
Basil, parsley flakes, dillweed
• 1 loaf (1 pound) of white or rye bread.
• 2 drugs. Cucumber (cut into thin slices)
sliced
• Diced pimiento and add
dill weed
In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, cream cheese, onion, chives, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and seasonings. Cover and process until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Cut circles from bread slices using a 2-1/2-inch biscuit cutter. Spread mayonnaise mixture over bread. Place cucumber slices on top. Garnish with pimientos and dill. (Yield: 2 dozen canapes)