A Special Event Menu

Do you have a special event soon to happen?

Are you looking for delicious recipes that fit your budget, skill and style?

Here are three helpful tips and four great recipes!

It's spring. Yes summer in some wonderful places of the country (miss you Tracy Hoogenboom). Women's events, luncheons and weddings abound. I am helping a friend plan an event for her son's wedding. I have made this menu many times for large events (yes even a wedding in our back yard) AND it is the bomb I am telling you.

Tip 1: Remember to make a lot of a few things. It saves in prep work and also looks amazing for the presentation.

Tip 2: Serve everything on large cream platters and bowls. I find my at Marshall's or TJ Max.  You can get great deals and large serving items. Add a white table cloth. Bring the color in with fresh flowers and napkins. Lots of small creme candles are wonderful too.

Tip 3: Plastic clear silverware and plates from Costco. Best deal around. Prewrap plastic ware in napkins and tie with colored bow. Place in a crystal wine cooler upright for easy access. 

This generally serves about 45 people easy...for larger events just double. I always try to combine make ahead recipes and store bought items. The lemon cookies for example I buy from Walmart...and they are great! That way I am not crazy the day of the event. I hope you try these and have fun! Remember you are giving others a message about their value (thank you Phyllis Stanley)...and food...is...well...love to me...(thank you Mama).


Cheers!

Chicken Pasta Salad

Fruit Salad with Lemon Whipped Creme

Field Greens with Pear and Spiced Pecans

Raspberry muffins and small store bought croissants (Yes...Costco...I am a fan)

Bowls of nuts and dill and sweet pickles. And if you were me...black olives.

Lots of them.

Dessert: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and store bought Lemon Cookies.

 

Chicken Salad for Large Gatherings.

I promise this is the best chicken salad you have ever had!

Serves up to 25

5 cups diced and cooked chicken

5 cups macaroni (shells, spiral or any other small macaroni)

4 cups chopped celery

4 cups grapes…(green or red…or half and half)

10 hard boiled eggs cooked and chopped

1 20 oz can of pineapple tidbits.

1 cup dried cherries or cranberries

1 cup sliced almonds (optional)

1 tea salt and pepper (or to taste)

3 tablespoons beau monde (a must)

Combine all the above in extra large bowl.

Fold in:

2 cups mayo or salad dressing

1 cup sour crème

2 cups cool whip

¼ cup lemon juice

¼ cup sugar

4 teaspooon shredded lemon rind

Allow 2-8 hours to chill. This is a great salad to actually make the night before. The longer it sits the greater the flavor.

Serve with grapes, strawberry dipped in chocolate, and relish skewer..(olive pickle and hot pepper)

 Fruit Salad with Lemon Whipped Crème

Any and all fresh fruit...peaches, nectarines, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon.

 Mix all fruit together in a large bowl.

 Make crème topping.

 1 small package lemon instant pudding

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons pineapple orange juice concentrate

2 teaspoons lemon or orange rind

 Combine all ingredients.

 Add 1 container cool whipped topping.

 Pour over fresh fruit and chill until serving time. Garnish with fresh mint and thinly sliced lemon and orange slices in the center.

Field Green Salad

Romaine lettuce, watermelon balls, Almond Accents, sliced pears, and Girhards Light Champagne dressing.  A WONDERFUL light salad. Feta is also a great addition. My other fav is  lettuce, cantaloupe balls, pine nuts and Maries Blue Cheese Vinagirette with fresh cracked pepper.  Easy. Thank you Trish Nordby for this one!

 

Lemon-Raspberry Muffins

These are killers...I am telling you...

Mix up the dry ingredients and the streusel topping for these up to two days before you bake them, and store in zip-top plastic bags. They also freeze great.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8-ounce) container lemon yogurt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1 (6-ounce) package fresh raspberries (about 1 1/4 cups) or 1 (6-ounce) package frozen raspberries, unthawed*
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon cold butter

• Combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.
• Stir together yogurt and next 3 ingredients; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.
• Toss together 2 tablespoons flour and raspberries; fold into batter. Spoon into lightly greased muffin pans, filling two-thirds full.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons flour and 3 tablespoons sugar; cut butter into mixture with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Spoon evenly over batter in muffin pans.

• Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Remove muffins from pans immediately, and cool on wire racks.

 

 

Comments

[Christy]

Great tips and FANTASTIC recipes! No worries now...it's all done!

[tammy maltby]

Yeah! Glad you liked them Christy. Let me know what you think after you make them. Have fun!

[Kathleen Ellis]

Great tips, Tammy! You and I are on the same page when it comes to entertaining...EASY ELEGANCE...that's my motto! By combining a few excellent homemade items with great tasting store bought items and creating a beautiful "stage" for it all....you've created a beautiful memorable and tasty event without running around like a crazy woman!
Have a most beautiful day!
;-D Kathleen

[tammy maltby]

Thank you Kathleen!! Bless you girl!

[Stephanie]

Thank you Tammy... I have something comeing up in July (not the the 4th) this is perfect! <3

[Teela]

This looks incredible. I am definitely giving this one a try. We are in the midst of move #57 and not sure I'll ever find any of my pots/pans/serving dishes. I think Ron gives everything away when we move! HA! We are still looking for the "right" house, but Ron will be coaching/teaching in a Christian school in Mt Juliet, TN. PRAY for me! This move is my most difficult! I needed recipes to go along w/a fab menu, so am so glad you included those! You're the best, chica!

[Sandy @ RE]

Beautiful, lovely, elegant. I can just taste it ... (don't you just love all of us foodies? ha).

Blessings, Tammy!

[Kathy Van Doorn]

I just made the Chicken Salad last night...super duper yummy! I can't wait to taste it today after chillin' in the fridge overnight. Thanks Miss Tammy!

Hugs!!

[tammy maltby]

Good for you Kathy!! It is so good and even gets better with time! Thanks for your feedback...I trust you are wonderfully well my friend!