| Author |
Message |
    
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2014
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 5:39 pm: |     |
I mean like the kind that really impress people because they believe you actually made them yourself. I'm in a bind and need a quick fix. I'll do my usual Knorr spinach dip, which is always a favorite (although may be a bit more labor intensive than I'm up to), and probably a wheel of some yummy soft brie, but I need MORE! AND I don't want to break the bank.
What is it and where do I buy it? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3451
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 6:58 pm: | |
Hmmm...how about steamed asapragus spears with smoked salmon and a dijon mustard sauce. Really easy. I once did this while people were at my house. Just arrange it on a nice platter.
Or, make a platter with smoked salmon (peel the pieces so they look artfully arranged) and top with finely chopped red onion, capers and a hollandaise sauce. Serve with mini pumpernickel bread.
Other easy ideas...cheese fondue: I love this one. Saute mushrooms and finely chopped onions and add cut up brie. Put in a fondue pot or small crock pot and serve with steamed veggies or crudite and cut or torn bread.
Quesadillas: Make a few different varieties and serve with good salsa (the kind at Costco near the deli stuff) and store bought guac (same place). I like to do basic cheddar/jack, spinach/cheese, cheese and fresh cilantro/scallion, etc.
Antipasto platter: arrange romaine leaves on plate. Get fresh mozz. balls, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms and peppers, olives, maybe pepperoni if there are meat eaters. Arrange on a big platter. This fills people up!
Basically, Costco is a good source for the raw ingredients or the premade stuff, and if you do a combo of both it won't be too expensive. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 306
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 7:09 pm: | |
As I recall Trader Joe's had some frozen ones. Can't remember exactly, I haven't been there in a while.
Maybe you could get some from a caterer? |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2015
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 7:52 pm: | |
VIG, all very yummy sounding, but way more work than I'm looking to do. I've still got this crappy cold, and a very busy week, and I have to put on a good show (and, of course, clean the house) for some company coming on Sunday afternoon. Basically, I want something I can take from the freezer, throw in the oven and arrange on a plate. Or a package I can open and put straight on a plate.
Believe me, if I had the time and the energy, I'd put out a nice little spread. I just don't have it in me.
I'm definately going to check out Costco, though.
Mrs. T., I definately thought of Trader Joe's. I'm just afraid it might be too far to go without knowing for sure I'd find something to make the trip worthwhile. I've only been to Trader Joe's twice and never found anything to get excited about. Perhaps I just wasn't looking in the right place. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 4877
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 7:59 pm: | |
nothing says you care like pigs 'n' blankets...or mini bagel pizzas, which also say you care, but just not as much. See what Whole Foods or big Kings has in the freezer section. Or if you want a good recipe for a red pepper artichoke dip that you make in the blender, let me know. Or try Crane's for some cheese, olives and their house-made pate...make up a platter with that, good bread and some fresh fruit. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2017
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 8:03 pm: | |
Thanks Hank, although I'm not really thinkin this is a pigs-in-a-blanket, mini-bagel-pizza crowd. Cranes is a great idea though. Never would have thought of that. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1419
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 8:45 pm: | |
Whole Foods has some great new finger foods in the frozen section, little salmon things in multi-layered crunchy envelopes.
Heat 'em up, fluff some flour around the kitchen, chop up cilantro with scissors - you know the drill.
Channel your inner Martha while you sip a good red and iron the twice-a-year napkins.
|
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 307
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 8:59 pm: | |
Meand, check out the Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer at:
http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless/NE.pdf
I like the one in Roselle Park best. |
soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 291
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 9:07 pm: | |
Costco has frozen mini-quiches, crab cakes, scallops wrapped with bacon (these are really good and in my estimation could more likely pass for something you did yourself than pastry things). You could also call place in Maplewood whose name escapes me now - across from Cent'Anni, around corner from D'asti's/Celebrated space. Believe they do them with a few days notice. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2732
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 9:29 pm: | |
Personally, I'd hire VIG.. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1508
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 10:50 pm: | |
Costco has several excellent options, that are delicious, look fancy, and won't break the bank. I recommend:
-- Mini quiches (the brand is "Nancy's," and they are fantastic)
-- Mini crabcakes (these are also fantastic, though a bit pricey)
-- Frozen hors doeuvres selection. I forget the brand name, but they are actually quite decent, and you get a wide variety.
-- Mini baked brie. These are in the refrigerated section, in a box. They are very, very good... pair them with some fancy preserves, or just some fruit.
-- Potstickers. Giant bag in the freezer section. They come with sauce, or pick up a jar of Iron Chef Sauce from the sauce aisle at Costco. (That sauce is also an excellent marinade for steak, salmon, anything.)
|
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2019
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 6:38 am: | |
SoOrLady, personally I'd hire her too--if I thought she was available and I could afford her!
|
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 4878
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 6:52 am: | |
but she doesnt look like she eats any of the food she's made...guests would be suspicious.  |
chickadee
Citizen
Username: Chickadee
Post Number: 64
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 7:02 am: | |
Crane's made a delicious cheese platter for us. Recommended cheeses and arranged it beautifully with crackers, grapes, and apples on a platter we brought in. I would check them out! |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3452
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 7:12 am: | |
You guys are funny.
I eat lots of asparagus, smoked salmon and quesadillas!
And when my family comes over no one wants to eat my food...they prefer the basics.
|
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2020
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 8:23 am: | |
Thanks for your suggestions all. Woke up at 4:30 this A.M. with a sick baby with an awful barky cough. Needless to say, the prospect of trying to be ready to entertain this weekend is becoming less and less appealing as the days go by! |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2733
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 9:02 am: | |
ok troops.. sick baby.. time to rally. Everybody make 1 spectacular finger food thingy and drop it off at Meand's house at..... what time Meand? |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1399
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 9:46 am: | |
I do great stuffed mushrooms. I'll offer them up
|
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1232
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 10:10 am: | |
I think the really nice frozen ones at Costco are Cohen's but I'm not sure. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2022
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 12:32 pm: | |
SoOrLady and Pippi, you are too kind. In my experience the fever and barky cough thing tend to be short lived. So, hopefully, in the next day or so we'll all recover. I'm sure I can pull something off by Sunday afternoon! (I figure if I just keep telling myself that, it'll all work out in the end! ) |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2736
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 12:56 pm: | |
ok - but if it doesn't, you can always send out an SOP (Save Our Party). I'm serious, I'll bet there would be more than two of us responding! |
kriss
Citizen
Username: Kriss
Post Number: 222
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 1:09 pm: | |
A&P sometimes has those Nancy's frozen quiches that Costco sells. They are great in a pinch.
Also very easy, but a step above chips and dip, premade hummus with baby carrots and/or toasted pita. Also, soft boursin or rondelet herbed cheese with fancy crackers. Side of grapes. |
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