Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with food and party

What's with all the Raclette?

Hands of Manos — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:10:43 -0800

I'm looking for a decent Raclette grill around the 60 dollar mark. Can anyone make a recommendation? My girlfriend's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'd considered having a fun dining experience for her and her kids. A German friend of mine said she liked using her Raclette grill for parties.

It'd only be the 4 of us so a smaller raclette grill would work but before I buy one, I wanted to know if someone recommends one over another.

Also, do you have to use Raclette cheese or can you use another type (it's in short supply where I live).

Beyond pumpkin pie, cider and turkey - your favorite autumn party recipes?

librarianamy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:26:17 -0800

Autumn is almost here where I live! Tell me your favorite autumn party recipes, with some restrictions listed inside. I will be the hostess of a small (less than 15) gathering of friends in a few weeks. By then, autumn will be in full swing here (Western PA in late Oct-early Nov), and I'd like to have a seasonally themed and delicious menu.

Our monthly gatherings usually include one large main dish, a variety of finger-food-esque or salad-ish sides, some snacks, and at least one dessert. And drinks. Both alcoholic and non.

The restrictions are that one of the group has celiac's and at least two others are doing South Beach. So wheat is an issue, though I do have access to a great gluten free bakery, if I had to.

Food for a rainy barbecue?

emilyw — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:19:37 -0800

What should I cook in my small kitchen for a rainy barbecue? I'm planning a BBQ at the weekend for 15-20 people, but it looks like it may rain heavily, in which case we will all be indoors. (Just to make vocabulary clear to Americans: the original plans involved cooking mainly meat products outside over charcoal embers).

I am pre-preparing some salads and sides, and marinating some veg and tofu for the vegetarians, then I had planned to go shopping on the morning of the BBQ to stock up on meat. However, if the forecast is rainy I can alter my shopping list to suit.

What can I buy/make to minimise cooking and serving effort in my small kitchen during the event? I don't have a very big grill, but I do have an oven. I can spend some of the earlier part of the day on kitchen prep, but don't want to spend the whole party holed up in there.

What food or drink should I bring to a dumpling party?

mathlete — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:19:33 -0800

What food or drink should I bring to a dumpling party? I'm looking for something that's not filling for the dumplings and not what everyone else will bring. Asian themed would be good.

Help me self-catering a large party in central London

ninebelow — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:19:36 -0800

Help me self-catering a large party in central London I am organising a party for a hundred people in Holborn which will include lunch. Catering companies for events are very expensive and their per head prices don't really match my budget. So the idea is to provide a cold self-service buffet. I will be making some stuff myself (with help) but mostly I will be buying in and hopefully by going directly will get better quality for a lower price. Before starting the legwork I thought I would ask you nice people if you had any suggestions for suppliers for:

1) Meat: Whole hams, large cold pies (like pork and pickle or game), etc.

2) Fish: Whole poached salmon.

3) Carbs: I can't really be bothered making an industrial vat of potato salad so this is the sort of thing I would pay a deli or caterer for.

So any recommendations for good local butchers, fishmongers (I know they are unlikely to provide cooked fish but you never know), delis or caterers who will deliver and nothing more? There is minimal refridgeration at the venue and I won't be able to collect on the day.

Another BBQ question

Ghidorah — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:02:24 -0800

Kind of a last minute request: I'm doing a bbq at my place tomorrow for my birthday, and I'm kind of stumped as to side dishes. I read about the bbq in the park question (and even commented in it), but I made potato salad at the last bbq, and it turns out these folks aren't much into potato salad (and, personally, I hate the stuff). I'm making burgers and chicken fajitas tomorrow. I'm trying to think of some cold sides to go with the grilled stuff.

Issues: I've got a 13" grill, so I can't do much on the grill aside from the burgers, the chicken, and the peppers/onions/mushrooms to go with them.

Corn would be nice, but here in Japan, it's freaking expensive. Does anyone have some suggestions for a decent side? I'll have chips and dip, some celery, things like that. Something salady would be nice, but a bit less normal would be good, too.

Oh, and, yeah, the bbq is tomorrow, so this is something I'd have to be able to throw together in the morning. As always, thanks everyone.

Teeny Tiny Foods Please!

dersins — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:59:15 -0800

We're having a "tiny food" party / BBQ, and I need menu suggestions. Sliders (obviously), cornichons (or gherkins) and tiny cupcakes are readily available. Coronitas (7 oz. Coronas) to drink. So, what else? Other mains, sides, desserts, beverages. Any suggestions would be helpful. NB: although I'm grilling the sliders, suggestions do not need to be limited to grill-friendly items. Thanks in advance.

50/50

barrakuda — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:08:11 -0800

All things 50s filter: I am throwing a 50s inspired party and would like advice on how to make it very fifties fun. So please provide me with your favorite, memorable, funny, sweet and climactic 50s food recipes, songs/bands and fashions (for me and the husband).

"Get away from her, you beech nut..."

Spyder's Game — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:20:29 -0800

James Cameron's Aliens + Screening Party + [Your suggestions for Aliens themed foods] = AWESOMENESS!! Help me out. Someone already suggested cornbread. My only contribution has been the idea of making Pigs in a Blanket, but instead calling them "Face Huggers in a Chest Cavity." What else can we do?

Party like a Barack star!

lunasol — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:07:34 -0800

Food that I can easily get into my election-night hotel party. Bonus-round: great games/amusements/cocktails for the party? I've been tasked with putting together my (progressive) organization's election night party. Yay! Now I have to figure out how to get around the hotel's catering rules. Boo!

The set-up: we got two adjoining rooms in the same hotel that the state Democratic Party has their big election night party in. The idea is that many groups like ours have smaller parties, in addition to the big party, that people circulate through. So the goal is to make our party fun enough that people want to come and hang out for a bit.

The hotel does not allow outside catering, so I have to figure out a menu that will effectively fly under the hotel staff's radar. I've heard that it's ok to bring food into the hotel in boxes, just so that it's not blatant.

People will be coming to the party after a day of doorknocking or otherwise trying to get as many people to vote as possible. So the food has to be filling in addition to being unobtrusive.

Some suggestions I've gotten:
Cold sandwiches
Veggie trays
Cheese/crackers
meatballs
mini-pies
cookies/brownies

I'm also looking for:

- Blue cocktails, cause we're libruls.

- Games or other fun election-themed things. We'll have maps/charts up to track the electoral college, Senate races, House races, and our state races, but it would be fun to have something to DO with those. We will definitely have champagne if/when Barack passes 270 and our desired Senate/House candidates win - what else?

My budget is $800 for food and drink, we'll have probably between 30 and 100 people come through during the evening, most of whom will probably just be nibbling and having a few drinks. We will, however, probably be staying into the wee hours.

I have seen the other election themed party ideas, but I want more!

I assume that black licorice babies would be in bad taste.

rokusan — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:13:49 -0800

Food suggestions for tonight's debate party? Having friends over for a debate party-slash-dinner-slash-salon, and probably next time too, so I need theme food suggestions for (a) tonight's VP debate and (b) the next two Presidential debates, both of the dinner and snack variety.

Mooseburgers seems like a slam dunk winner tonight, but I'm not sure I can find a butcher shop in Manhattan with moose meat. Help?

Other than that all I can think of are waffles.

Help me, hive mind!

Help me think of food combos with the word "and". Like "chips and salsa".

23skidoo — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:25:59 -0800

I want a spread for a party where all the food can be described as "_____ and ______", like "chips and salsa", "beans and rice" and "bangers and mash". Help me think of more. The closer it is to party food (finger food, snacks, side dishes), the better. But go ahead and list anything you can think of: maybe I can think of a way to hack an ampersandy dish into party food.

Oh, also no alcoholic drinks. I can think those up easy.

Help me convert an entire office into cheese fiends.

Xere — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:04:03 -0800

I've been put in charge of a workplace cheese lunch. Introducing the staff to the world of fancy cheese, hopefully to convert them away from the usual radioactive-orange ... stuff ... that's out there. But I have no idea what to prepare. French bread, I think? And sparkling cider because we can't have alcohol on the job? But the cheese? What cheeses are near-guaranteed winners, and won't be overpowered by sparkling cider? Help! I wish to go down in history as the awesomest cheese introducer ever. My work colleagues don't know much about cheese, and can't imagine what I could possibly come up with. They're telling me, Well, nacho cheese dips and mac-and-cheese are pretty ordinary, isn't it? WELL OKAY THEN LET ME BLOW YOUR MINDS.

So my idea is an expanded version of a fancy lunch basket. The wine/bread/cheese basket, except that I can't really have wine. Although I do think sparkling cider will kill the taste buds.

Workplace pays for this, so there's no budget!

A Communist (Birthday) Party

theRussian — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:31:54 -0800

Ideas for a Communist Party, Go! Hi all,

So I've decided to have a Communist Party for my upcoming birthday, due to the abundance of punny food/drink items that are possible.

I've seen this comment, and those are definitely going to be made. So, hive mind, I need more punny food/drink/activity ideas! A lot of my guests will be vegan, though don't let that stop you from suggesting something, I can likely vegan-ize it.

So far, friends and I have come up with the following ideas:
Proleteriyaki Tofu&Pineapple bites
Tea-nanmen Sandwiches
Hum-Mao-s
KGBean dip
Gulag-amole (this might be slightly offensive)

I don't know any appetizers with Lentils, but there's opportunity there...or perhaps, Lenin (Lemon) Bars. Also, anyone know any good appetizers to be made with Manifesto Pesto?

Drinks ideas include
Mao-hitos
Molotov cocktails
Scotch on the Marx, or something with Makers Marx
And then all of the "real" drinks, like White/Black Russians, Moscow Mules, etc.

Certainly not expecting to make all of these, I just want to get as many ideas as possible so that I can create foods/drinks that go together. Any other decoration/activity suggestions welcome, too! Thanks.

Cthulhu fhtagn! Now feed me!

Astro Zombie — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:44:32 -0800

H.P. Lovecraft-themed foods? Am Going to a party on Friday where we shall be watching the silent version of Call of Cthulhu and playing some Lovecraft-themed board game. Would like to bring appropriate food. Please suggest. Vegetarian options very welcome.

Because that's how I roll with the Elder Gods, yo.

Yummy disgusting

thirteenkiller — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:37:53 -0800

Since it's almost Halloween and all, I need ideas for foods that look disgusting but don't taste disgusting. Does anyone have any good recipes or sources? In particular, I'm interested in bodily fluids/discharges and body parts, human or otherwise, but I try to keep an open mind.

under the best circumstances, beans & chile can upset your stomach

Sara Anne — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:10:32 -0800

Calling all Crohnies! I'm helping to throw a traditional New Mexican dinner party for a group of students on Thursday night. We'd planned for the vegetarian contingency, but have found out that one young woman has a bad case of Crohn's Disease. I know nothing about Crohn's disease, except that the young woman in question spent part of last week in the hospital because of intense gastrointestinal distress. We have been planning to serve posole (hominy stew [veggie and meat versions]), beans with chicos (sweet corn), and fideos (vermicelli cooked with tomatoes and onions). All things that could add distress for her, I fear.

So what advice can the Crohn's sufferers give me? What do you eat when you go to Mexican restaurants? Do you go to Mexican restaurants? I'd like to make sure she felt included in the evening.

balls balls balls balls balls

Greg Nog — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:06:16 -0800

I'm throwing a Balls Ball. You know, just a buncha dudes, enjoying balls, watching 300 and drinking together. That kind of thing. We have a reasonable menu already, but still, I would like you to suggest your favorite balls. Give me your balls. Right now, the menu is:

Hors D'Oeuvres:
Melon balls
Cheese balls

Main course:
Swedish Meatballs
Souzoukakia (Greek meatballs in tomato sauce)
Other possibilities?: Malai or Palak Kofta, Pan de Yucca

Dessert:
Bourbon Balls
Peanut Butter Balls

Drinks:
Highballs

So that ain't bad, but I'm sure that there are key balls I'm neglecting. What other balls could I serve, metafilter? Suggestions are nice, but recipes are nicer! Thanks in advance for your balls.

Fabulous food for a hip party?

lychee — Thu, 31 May 2007 13:44:18 -0800

I need recipes and ideas for appealing appetizers and cool party food for a hip get-together! I'm going to throw a (town)housewarming party this summer. My roommate and I are hip, young people, and the townhouse is going to be decorated in a retro modern style. Since this will be my first grownup party ever, I want the food to be as fabulous as we are.

I'm thinking food that's somewhat simple to prepare, has affordable ingredients, will look great presentation-wise, and is of course tasty. I'm open to any cuisine, and we will have a lot of vegetarian guests. Thanks!

Where should we host a bridal shower in Seattle?

barnone — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:23:27 -0800

Where should we host a bridal shower in Seattle? We're looking for a cool private room in a restaurant, or a neat suite in a hotel, or a cool patio - it's the weekend of August 4th so all of the boats are booked for SeaFair. There will be about 30 guests. We'd like somewhere with a sit-down lunch, or a really nice buffet -- but not in a huge restaurant. If there was a view or a nice outdoor portion, all the better. Price is less important than finding the right venue at this point, so all suggestions are very welcome. I saw some ideas here, but nothing seemed quite right. The Hi-Life and Library Bistro both look good though -- any experience with those?

Ribs-for-football-game recipe needed.

docgonzo — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:46:26 -0800

Nothing better accompanies the StuporBowl than a huge pile of ribs. My problem: I need a great ribs recipe. There is, unfort, a higher degree of difficulty than usual: I lack a smoker and, shameful truth be told, even a charcoal BBQ in my new apt. I've found some boil-bake recipes -- might those deliver the tangy, fall off the bone, carnivorous glory I require?

Thanks for any/all help and recipes.

Party like it's 1956? Help plan my retro New Year's shindig.

libraryhead — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:54:11 -0800

Party like it's 1956? Help plan my retro New Year's shindig. At the last minute we've decided to host a small (<2 0 guests) new year's eve get-together for friends. i'm not big theme parties, but i'd like to have a midcentury cocktail party kind of feel (vs. Connecticut fabulous or hipper-than-thou). I need ideas for food, drink, and atmosphere. We'll be getting back from Christmas with the family on the 29th, so prep time will be short. Also, I'd like to not spend a mint.

Food: Looking for updated comfort food, not crocembouche and caviar. Maybe pigs-in-a-blanket with chicken sausage instead of weiners? Must be safe to leave out on a buffet for hours. The nut-allergic friend can't make it, and there are no vegetarians in the group, so go wild. Priorities: delicious, easy to serve and eat buffet style, fast to make, not too expensive, in that order.

Drink: I like the idea of a fruity, sparkling punch, but all the recipes I've found sound nasty. I don't want a zombie in a bowl, but something light -- no Hi-C, Crystal Light, or stupefying levels of alcohol.

Atmosphere: I need simple ideas to festive up the place in little time. What amenities have you really appreciated as a party guest? I have a great, long mix of Christmas music -- OK to play for a New Year's party, or do I need a new soundtrack? Are there New Year's-specific activities you've enjoyed? Some kind of structured toasts or resolution sharing? We have Apples to Apples.

Plunging Plutonic Depths

einekleine — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 07:12:01 -0800

Can anyone think of any suitable food, drink and games for a party/wake themed around the loss of Pluto's planetary status?

curry me green with an inebriating imbibe

sourbrew — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:24:54 -0800

what is a fantastic recipe for green curry (more specifics inside) I am looking at feeding between 8 - 15 people, bonus points for minimal dish usage, minimal ingredients, and extra veggies. Rice is a null problem, rice cooker for the win....

also on adding the category whats a good liquor drink that would add to this meal with a tasty yet inebriating beverage?

Midday Snack

Otis — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:22:46 -0800

FingerFoodFilter: Looking for recipes for group of around 10 for an afternoon snack. Ideally this item would be something a bit more substantial than typical Hors d'oeuvres, but not a full meal. Last time the group met I made smoked turkey wraps (spiced up cream cheese spread on tortillas with turkey, pepper jack cheese, green chiles and black olives). The wraps were chilled and then sliced up into single servings. These were a big hit, but I don't want to do the same thing again.