Easy cocktail party?

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

Hi, Sharon! As I posted in my other question[i], I'll be having a cocktail party reception at home a few months after my destination wedding. I want to try to do everything myself. So, obviously, I would like to have foods that could be prepared and laid out before the guests arrive. It will mostly be standing-room only, so I would like to avoid foods that require the use of a knife and fork. However, I want the food to be substantial enough to feel like a meal.

I was thinking things like filet on garlic toast, pulled pork on small rolls (and/or ham and biscuits, but maybe that's too much pork?), chicken satay, shrimp with maybe some sort of tropical fruit dip (instead of the usual cocktail sauce), every kind of frozen hors d'oeuvres I can possibly find, an assortment of dips and breads and cheeses and olives and veggies, etc. What other ideas would work well?

For drinks I was thinking it might work best to have, along with non-alcoholic options, beer and wine and a few prepared mixed drinks by the pitcher. What are the most common "crowd pleasers"? Since my wedding will be on a tropical beach, I was thinking tropical drinks might be nice.

Any tips you could possibly provide would be much appreciated! Thanks so much!

[Sharon Naylor]

That menu sounds terrific, and it's not too much pork! (No such thing when it's made well!!) I'd suggest a few choices like tomato bruschetta on toasted slices of Italian bread, perhaps mozzarella balls with red peppers, and fun snacks that you can get at gourmet wine store 'snack' aisles: jalapeno bread twists, glazed walnuts, etc. I love gyoza from the sushi place and mini sandwiches are always a hit. Pierogies stuffed with spinach and mashed potato are something unique to try (in the frozen food section or fresh in the deli), and guests love the palate-cleansers of pineapple chunks or strawberries. For your desserts, you might think about renting a chocolate fountain, which isn't that expensive and guests love dipping in marshmallows, cookies, squares of rum cake, berries, even Oreos...it's a real conversation piece! Since your party will have a tropical theme, bring in plenty of tropical fruits to either dip in the fountain or eat as-is. Check out www.foodtv.com for recipes with a tropical flavor, like coconut puddings or mango mousses.

For your drinks, www.foodtv.com also has fun recipes for blender drinks, tropical mixers, and I suggest pina coladas and frozen margaritas in bright tropical colors. Sangrias can also work in pitchers with low-maintenance; just add plenty of fruit slices for color and taste. Smoothies can be made for the kids and non-drinkers, so consider tropical-flavored concoctions on that one. For soft drinks, check out www.fizzylizzy.com for really unique fruit-flavored sodas (that also can be a fun base for mixed drinks).

And try a great champagne punch: I just had one with mango and anjou pear and it was heaven.

If you'd like more suggestions, I'll be happy to post them. I could go on and on...but right now I have a craving for some mango mousse.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

That all sounds WONDERFUL!!! Thanks so much!!