Looking waaaaaay ahead -

[hedgehog]

I enjoyed a dinner of tapas recently. I'd like to extend that idea - I love the idea of a Christmas season gathering that includes cookies, fruit cake, petitfours, tea, crackers cheese, dried fruit and fresh fruit etc. (My kids would drive in for lunch, then head home for the evening). I've never figured out how to make this hearty enough for the men in the crowd. So - what would you add?

[Sentath]

1. Charcuterie?

Unless someone is vegetarian and I forgot about it (sorry if I did)

If the (grand)children are old enough or you have facilities safe enough, what about a shabu-shabu / hot pot kind of arrangement?

[hedgehog]

4. We have some vegetarians in the crowd - but they love cheese!

When my kids were in high school, i used to buy special foods they nibbled on all break - cheeses, nuts, candies, fruits etc. Now I'm trying to get all that into a couple meals when they visit.

[The empressof all]

2. Lots of little appetizers

little meatballs
little sliders on those Hawaiian rolls
Satay....Chicken or Shrimp on a stick! Lots of options for dipping sauces
Bruschetta or even little pizzas
Prosciutto or even Ham wrapped around a bread stick

[hedgehog]

3. Now I'm thinking bagels and lox!

Little meatballs - hmmm - mini pierogies would go over with this crowd

[flamin lib]

5. Ceviche, carpiccio, smoked fish, peel n eat shrimp, little smoky sausages?

Proteins stick with you and round out the menu. I use frozen catfish in my ceviche and lean beef (sirloin or top round) for the carpiccio. Serve the beef with soy sauce, coarsely ground pepper and sea salt.

[grasswire]

6. a soup?

Maybe some borscht, or a hearty bean and kale soup?

[pinto]

7. Skewers! A variety. Simple, good for a group and lots of options. Kind of fun, too.

All veggies, broiled.
Meat and root veggies, broiled.
Shrimp, marinated, broiled.
Firm fish and fruit, broiled.
Cheeses and dried meats, as is.
Chunky ham, mango, pineapple, as is.
Cheeses and fruit, as is.
Olives, figs, cherry tomatoes, pearl onions, etc, as is.
Fresh fruit, as is.
Oh, and strawberry / chocolate skewers.
And all the sides, treats you note.

[hedgehog]

8. Ham and cheese scones - plus a tray of savory things like olives -

thanks for all the suggestions everyone - they really inspired me!

[msanthrope]

9. Meat appetizers, as indicated above. Even just a bit of bacon will make the men in the crowd

feel satiated. I might sound like a 1950's cookbook, but it's true....meat appetizers.