Fandango Catering Offers 4 Informal Gatherings Food Ideas

For casual gatherings where you'd like to serve food but don't want or need to fuss (the gatherings aren't weddings or galas or even cocktail parties), we offer four food ideas that will allow you to serve simple but delightful and stylish food to your guests without killing yourself.



Sliders Menu

Most people whatver their age like sliders. The impression factor begins with their size--illogical, but sliders tend to impress more than regular-size hamburgers. You can even buy these partially or fully made from a caterer or good restaurant. Serve with fresh seasonal fruit (sour cream with a little sugar is an easy dipping sauce), a green salad, and a dessert (buy the dessert from a good restaurant or caterer if you have no time to make one). Set out on nice trays and platters with seasoned mayo (mayo mixed with either fresh chopped herbs, Dijon, or powder Ranch dressing base) and your favorite burger fixings.

Pizza Menu

Make or buy pizza dough, then set out tomato sauce and a toppings bar. This is a great, fun icebreaker and it's interactive, so people don't get bored. And you can set out wines or beers paired to the toppings (ask at your wine or liquour store), a salad, and a dessert, and everyone will be happy. If you don't make your own marinara (most people don't), mix bottled spaghetti sauce with a little Alfredo sauce or heavy cream as bottled marinara is unpleasantly acidic. Cover each pizza with some of the "pink sauce," then add your toppings. Our favorite toppings:

• A selection of soft and grated cheeses, such as ricotta, fresh mozzarella or burrata, Fontina, and Parmesan, plus chopped fresh herbs
• Andouille, prosciutto, or your favorite sausage, sliced, and your favorite cheese, grated
• Sliced fresh mushrooms and Jarlsberg or Gruyere
• Thinly sliced fresh veggies and fresh mozzarella rounds

Sandwich Menu

This sounds boring but can be fun and exciting! If you have no time or are unsure of how to prepare them, buy gourmet sandwiches from an excellent source such as a caterer or places like Whole Foods, Central Market, or Dean and DeLuca. Or go to a good Mexican or Latin restaurant and pick up some of the great Latin snack foods such as tortas, pupusas, piratas, or other Latin sandwiches and snack foods. Either way, add flair to the sandwich menu by serving guacamole (add a little sour cream), salsa, and chips, and for dessert serve chocolate ice cream with dulce de leche syrup topping, plus some Mexican beers, margaritas by the pitcher (see our future blog post for preparing cocktails by the pitcher), and tropical fruit juices or Latin sodas. If you want something a little more filling, add a gourmet potato or pasta salad.

Cheese Tasting

Here are two ideas, one less and one more elaborate. Set out a buttery cheese; a soft, fresh cheese; a hard or sharp cheese; and, if your group likes it, a blue cheese. Or, for more variety and specifics, set out a Brie or Camembert, a Mascarpone, a Colby or Monterey Jack, an Edam or Gouda, a Cheddar, a Swiss Emmantaler, and a Gorgonzola. Set out on platters accompanied by sourdough or other artisan bread and butter, fresh fruit, and wines (ask your wine or liquor store for recommendations). Some folks put labels next to the cheeses but many people find that's not necessary as their groups like just trying the cheeses and wines (or even beers).

These menus won't take much time and for informal occasions are fun and delicious. Enjoy!



Kristina
Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.
Director of Sales and Operations/Event Manager
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
info@fandango-catering.com
http://www.fandango-catering.com/