Party Preparation

WOULD YOU TRUST US WITH YOUR FOOD?!?!

I'm going to be hosting a small party on Saturday with Mel, which I couldn't be more excited about!!  I love parties, especially when they have good food. So hosting my own party means I get full control of what's being served.  Plus I get to make things I don't normally cook.

I don't want to go crazy, since the last time I hosted a party, which was my housewarming with Adam, I went a little overboard spending about $350 and there was a ton of wasted food.  
The idea of running out of food is terrible, but I would rather run out than have a ton of leftovers that end up in the garbage. 

We're going to have a bit of a "Picnic" theme since I want to make pulled-chicken sliders, which are SUPER easy and fun to serve.





So here's what I had in mind based on what's healthy, easy to serve and eat and the ingredients are affordable.

• Pulled-Chicken Sliders
• I'm going to use my crockpot to make this, so I can keep it warm and people can serve themselves.
• Ingredients: 
• Organic chicken breast
• BBQ sauce - going to seek out one w/out corn syrup
• Rolls - hoping the potato rolls are affordable since they're so tasty!
• Cole slaw - which people can place on top or eat on the side
• Bruchette with Sauteed Greens
• This had great review on epicurious and sounded super easy to make. Plus this a healthy dish that vegetarians can enjoy. 
• Ingredients:
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - which I already have!
• Garlic - super cheap
• Greens - either swiss chard, spinach or beet tops.  Going to the farmers market near McCarren Park on Saturday to see what looks best.
• White Bean Puree with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Another healthy dish that sounded delicious.  This will take a bit more time since it requires the beans to soak overnight, but it shouldn't be too difficult.  I can also make this 2 days in advance, leaving me more time to work on other dishes Saturday.
• Ingredients: 
• Dried Great Northern Beans - super cheap!
• Onions - already have these.
• Fresh Rosemary - which I can use for other dishes or just for decoration at the party.  
• Oil-packed sun dried tomatoes - this might be expensive, but I'm sure its worth the splurge, as its super tasty!  I can use it on salads or sandwiches if I don't use it all at the party.
• Shallots - another cheap and useful item
• Lemons - always have these in the house, such a useful fruit!
• Fresh Parsley - can use this for salsa or other dishes.
• Pita, or some other starch chip to get the dip in your mouth!
• Avocado and White Bean Salsa
• What is a party without some salsa?!  Plus, tortilla chips are on sale at one of the supermarkets near me.
• Ingredients:
• Small white beans - super easy and cheap to get
• Avocado - which is also on sale, or I wouldn't have bothered with this dish
• Red onion - going to use this for another dish
• Limes - another item that's necessary for any fiesta!
• Extra-virgin olive oil - definitely have this
• Roasted Veggie Orzo
• I've been making a pasta salad for a few years now that I came up with using a variety of recipes.  It's fast, easy, tasty and healthy
• Ingredients:
• Any market fresh veggies such as tomatoes, squash, zucchini, eggplant, onions, carrots, etc.
• Orzo (duh!)
• Lemon juice
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Balsamic Vinegar - something I always have on hand in my kitchen, I prefer white for this recipe
• Spices, whatever I have on hand
• Roasted Kale Chips
• This recipe sounds awesome and super easy to make.  It's also something I've been meaning to make, a healthier alternative to potato chips.
• Ingredients:
• Kale
• Olive Oil
• I know, it's an extensive ingredient's list, not sure how I'll manage ;)
• Meatballs
• Not sure if I'm going to make this or not.  I love meatballs at parties, and they're so easy to eat with toothpicks, but I might now depending on how many red-meat-eaters are attending.  I found this recipe for Sweet and Sour Meatballs that sounded promising and easy to make. 

I also want to serve a fruit salad or slices of melon, depending on what's available at the farmers market or looks good at the super market.  It would also be nice to have a veggie platter with cherry tomatoes, celery, carrots, peppers and anything else that looks fresh and tasty.

Do you like my moustache?

As for desserts - that's pretty much Mel's department.  We're getting our mom to make her famous chocolate mouse, which is OUT OF THIS WORLD!  OMG you would die if you ate this, I do every time. 

Mel is awesome with desserts.  She makes this ridiculously good vegan peanut butter pie.  Perhaps even a banana pudding pie.  (typing this is making me hungry)

Yes this girl right here --------------------------------------->
She is amazinc and I <3 her

So that sounds like plenty of food for a party, right?  Then I just need to get tasty beverages, disposable plates and cups and lots of paper napkins/towels, cause we all know a mess is bound to happen.

I'm hoping to get more of my shopping done on Saturday at the farmers market.  I'm a fan of fresh, affordable and local foods!  I'll be following up later this week to let you all know how its coming along.