Showing posts with label drinks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drinks. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Comfort Food Redux

I was craving some chicken noodle soup today and thought, "How can I translate my favorite comfort foods to a reception worthy treat?" I know there has been buzz about this trend for at least the last year or so, yet caterers, at least ones that aren't hip with the program, are still pushing the same old stuffed mushroom caps, mini quiches, coconut shrimp, and the dreaded egg roll hors d'oeuvres. Therefore, for those like me, who enjoy their comfort foods, here's how I would make them wedding ready.

First, the yummy and always comforting Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Have your caterer create a demitasse portion of a fabulous tomato soup recipe that can be sipped and savored by your guests. Pair it with a bite size grilled cheese sandwich using a heavenly cheese mixture, such as Gruyere and Brie. Your guests will feel the love with this pairing!

Next, the fast food classic...Cheeseburger and French Fries.

First the cheeseburger, have your caterer make mini sirloin cheeseburger served on a bite size homemade mini buns. Dress it with the ketchup and mustard. If you want something bolder or maybe even a little twist to the classic, serve it with grilled onions, a fried dilled pickle chip, and a tasty dollop of jalapeno jelly, it'll be a wonderful and tasty surprise.

The French Fries...nothing much that you can do with the classic fry. However, for a more elegant twist, serve it in a shot glass filled with ketchup on the bottom of the glass. Another way to present them is to do it the French way, make little mini cones out of old newspapers, and serve it that way. You can spice the fries up with your favorite seasonings or just with plain old salt. The only thing...it has to be served crispy and hot. There's nothing worst than cold and soggy French fries.

Next, the family's favorite picnic meal, Fried Chicken and Potato Salad.

There's nothing like a good fried chicken, but to serve it during your wedding reception would probably be a little to "comfortable." Instead, try chicken lollipops covered in Panko flakes and fried to a golden perfection. Your guests will dig the fact that you are serving them one of their guilty pleasures.

The classic potato salad...again there's not much you can do but serve it a more refined manner, such as a shot glass or mini martini glass filled with this classic fare. For a modern take serve a deconstructed potato salad on a skewer, alternating potatoes, eggs, and celery...served with a Dijon and mayonnaise dipping sauce.

The always comforting Mac N Cheese.

I love this stuff but serving it at a wedding reception may get some strange looks. Rather have your chef make Mac N Cheese in mini ramekin's and use wonderful brie, Gruyere or even a harder cheese such as Manchego rather than the classic American or Velveeta. It'll be a comforting and decadent treat for your guests.

The oh so delicious Cinnamon Rolls.

There's nothing better for breakfast, well anytime of the day, than these gooey extremely iced food of the gods. Have your caterer or pastry chef make mini cinnamon roll lollipops that your guests can devour in one yummy bite. These would be the perfect ender to your reception hour or a surprise addition to your dessert bar at the end of the night.

Nothing makes me smile like Mom's Apple Pie.

Having pie slices at your reception would be too ordinary. Though we love this classic fare, there's really nothing beautiful about it, especially when it's been sliced. Regardless, it's the taste that we crave in this comfort food, so why not make it drinkable for your reception. Have your bartender create a classic apple pie a la mode shooter or an apple pie martini. The drink is sure to bring a smile to your guests and it's a great twist to a classic comfort food.

I hope I have inspired you to think of your own favorite comfort foods and finding ways to make them hors d'oeuvres ready. Have fun creating a twist to the classics.

-Percy

Photos from various sites on the Internet.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wacky Wednesdays: The Man Registry

I came across this website just recently and I am totally diggin' it. It's a website that is just for the groom and is dedicated to everything groom. There's information on finding the right vendors for such things as the Bachelor Party, Rehearsal Dinner, DJ's, Groom's Cake, Groom Etiquette, and everything else that deals with the male perspective of the wedding. It's a perfect accompaniment to the bridal help sites. The best part of this is that it also has a wedding registry that caters just to the groom...non of the fancy shmancy china stuff.

I think it's wonderful and I am kinda sad I did not come up with the idea first! Go check it out or better yet tell your groom to check out, The Man Registry.



-Percy

Photo and video from The Man Registry

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

TIPsy Tuesday: The Bar's Now Open

I have been asked several times by friends about how much alcohol one should buy to produce an open bar for say a 100 person party or wedding. It's really hard to say, because you can't really tell what the crowd is going to want to drink. But being in the industry for over 16 years I have come to see what bartenders and caterers have told me about my open bars.

Below is my best estimate on what one should buy for their open bar without the help of a caterer. The purchasing of these amounts for a reception has not failed me so far.

Beer: domestic, imported, and light beer - 3 dozen of each.

Wine: 3 dozen white, 4 dozen red (5-8 dozen total)

Champagne: 1 dozen bottles (only fill up half for toasts) also you may just want to do toasts with what people have in hand. This saves a lot of money and you can just buy 6 bottles of champagne for champagne cocktails at the bar.

Vodka: 5 liters
Gin: 3 liters
Tequila: 2 liters
Rum: 2 liters
Whiskey: 1 liter
Scotch: 2 liters
Bourbon: 2 liters
Dry Vermouth: 750 milliliters
Sweet Vermouth: 750 milliliters
Kahlua: 3 liters
Bailey's Irish Cream: 1 liter
Grand Marnier: 1 liter
Triple Sec: 1 liter
Amaretto: 1 liter
Sambucca: 1 liter
Brandy: 1 liter
Frangelico: 1 liter
Chambord: 1 liter

When shopping for your liquor, make sure to work with a local liquor store and ask about their return policy. Some liquor stores will give you refunds for unopened/unused spirits. Beer is the exception, most will not take back beer.

Buying your own alcohol for your reception can save loads of money. Ask your caterer about their policy of serving self bought liquor. Most caterers are cool with it...but there are some that will charge you more than if they served and bought it themselves.

Hope that helps answer your liquor questions.

-Percy

Photo from Blender Artists

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