Wedding Reception

[lmcconne]

I offered to help out with providing finger/snacky type food at my niece's wedding. I will be visiting out of town and able to use their kitchen. But the reception is elsewhere, and I don't know if there are facilities to warm anything. SIL/MOB was thinking in terms of veggie and fruit trays with dip, maybe a cheese ball. Her goal is to keep the guests happy while the bridal party is taking pictures. Not knocking those choices, but I'm a cook and would like to contribute in a more significant way utilizing my skills. I'm sort of looking for food items that can be served at room temperature or cool, but not need to be kept warm or cold. I'm thinking of things maybe a little more upscale than cheese ball (which I won't eat because it's not my taste).

I browsed a recipe site in the appetizer section and came up with a few possibilities but I don't know if all items will be as tasty when not served hot (or cold).

brown sugar smokies (bacon-wrapped smokies, broiled)
chocolate-dipped strawberries
cheese straws
frosted grapes
stuffed jalapenos (are these any good at room temp??)
cheese & sausage appetizers (baked, but served at room temp??)

[shelleyf]

I think you are sweet for wanting to help out. I am a cook also so I understand what you are saying. I want to make nice things not everyday things too. Do you know what those buffet servers are? They sell them at Walmart. I am not sure of the price because I haven't bought any but you put the food in the servers and it heats it constantly with gas underneath it. Also they sell crockpot servers that have different compartments but those could be pricey. You could put a baking dish underneath the regular dish filled with tons of ice and that might keep it cold if you want cold foods. I am not sure if those foods you want would be good at room temperature or not, but they do sound good:)

[lmcconne]

I will be flying to the wedding, so I will only be able to bring a few necessary kitchen items (cutting board, rolling pin, thermometer) because MOB is not a cook and likely will not have the less than very basic equipment. Last time I visited, they did not have a cutting board.

Appreciate the suggestion of warming equipment. However, since I'm probably footing the bill, I don't want to break my bank either.

[Mama Stu]

Bread dip, the dip has to be refrigerated until served, but can be served at room temperature.

1 carton of sour cream
1 cup of Hellman's mayo(and I don't know why but it is better with Hellman's)
2 cans canned chicken (10 oz cans, but can use smaller ones)
1 pkg dry dip mix

Mix all together use with Kings Hawaiin Bread. To make look fancy , you can hollow out the bread and use as a bowl, but I think it wastes too much bread. Also, some people have eaten this with crackers. I have never taken this anywhere that someone didn't ask for the recipe. Simple, easy, and delicious.

[lmcconne]

I will have two days to shop and prep before the event and have to rely on family for transportation (unless, they trust me with their autos). I need to ask more questions of SIL about the reception facility, like does it have refrigeration. I know she does not want me to spend my time at the wedding/reception being a caterer, so I'm thinking in terms of things I can set on trays and not babysit (although I'd rather keep busy catering than strike up conversation with complete strangers).

Still thinking of supplies and logistics. Maybe I can swing a trip to Dollar Store there and get those cheap plastic silver trays for display. Sounds like a plan.

[3timesoccermom]

To lighten your travel load a little you could also leave your cooking tools at home and buy some inexpensive ones and give them to your niece as part of her gift.

I would consider the type of wedding and your nieces's guests when you are figuring out what to make - is it a fancy wedding, are they mostly a young, casual group, etc.? It could very well be that a cheese ball or some of the other suggestions are their taste.

[lmcconne]

I have more details of the event facility and already menu. Rented room will not have any cooking/preparation facilities, so it will all have to be done off-site. Tables, chairs, plates and silverware to be brought in by separate rental company. Bride's family is providing wedding cake, fruit and veggie trays, drinks, and a couple of mondo sub sandwiches. Groom's side is contributing baked beans, collard greens, etc....and supplying their own warming dishes, since they do large family get-togethers often.

Knowing the guests do not have to eat with their fingers is an important branch in my decision tree. SIL said she is a big fan of meatballs, so I might do a crockpot (I know she has a 6-quart) of those if electrical outlet is indeed available. I'm still thinking of dipping strawberries. And I'll probably have to supply the serving trays, so Dollar Store or Big Lots is looking mighty attrative. Only arriving two days before the event, so need to make decisions and plan for the shopping and prep time, in addition to helping SIL with any last-minutes tasks.