Lauren Margolis
When you’re planning a bridal shower for your bestie, you want the food you’re serving to be effortless for you and taste good to your guests. These delicious and creative party food ideas are quick to prepare, easy to serve and will keep your main focus on spoiling the bride.
Snacks on a Stick
Skewers are a quick, easy appetizer for any pre-wedding celebration, and the menu options are endless. A meatball skewer is a great place to start. Just melt some mozzarella cheese on a meatball and put it through a skewer. Add a basil leaf on top for extra flavor and pizzazz, and put different sauces on the side, such as marinara, alfredo and pesto, for guests to dip. You can make beef, chicken, turkey and even meatless meatballs to give your guests more variety. Lighter options include Greek salad skewers with kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese or caprese salad skewers layered with tomato, basil and mozzarella balls then drizzled with balsamic glaze. These bite-sized snacks look classy on a tray and are guaranteed to be a guest favorite.
Pretty Platters
Platters are an essential food staple at any event because they look appealing and offer a variety of food items for guests to choose from. Instead of buying pre-made platters, make your own so you can design it any way you like. Cheese and antipasto options are classic, but consider some other options as well. A hummus platter, complete with several hummus flavors, pita bread, crackers and a variety of veggies for dipping, is a great vegan and vegetarian option. You can also prepare a dessert fondue platter that includes strawberries, brownies, marshmallows and any other sweet treats that guests will love. Then melt different types of chocolate, Nutella and marshmallow fluff for dipping.
Pizza and Flatbread Bar
Add an interactive element to a bridal shower with a build-your-own pizza or flatbread bar. The best part is that guests are guaranteed to love their meal because they’re customizing it themselves. You can also cut each one into bite-sized pieces and try everyone’s unique creations. Just put out different toppings such as pepperoni, olives, mushrooms and sausage, and invite guests to go down the line and pick what they want on their personal-sized pizzas. It’s easy to set up and will be something that makes your bridal shower stand out. If you don’t want to do pizza, there are so many other build-your-own options. For example, you could do an ice cream sundae bar, taco bar or even a macaroni and cheese bar.
Wine Poached Berry Trifle
Courtesy of The Fresh Market
When it comes to dessert, a trifle like this one is an easy and tasty way to please a party crowd. It can be built directly in the glass you’re serving it in and placed on the buffet table for easy pick up.
Ingredients:
• 2 cup sauvignon blanc
• ½ cup sugar
• 4 cup seasonal berries, such as strawberries and/or blueberries
• 8 whole vanilla beans
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
• ⅓ cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 package shortbread cookies, gently crushed
Directions:
In a large sauce pot, bring wine and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and add berries. Allow mixture to bubble slowly for 10 minutes until the berries begin to absorb the liquid. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool. While berries cool make the cheese mixture. Slice vanilla bean lengthwise using a paring knife. Open the pod and use the knife to scrape out all of the seeds. Place seeds in a medium bowl and discard pod or set aside for later use. Add mascarpone, ricotta cheese, honey, and vanilla extract to the bowl and whip until well combined. Using 4 wine glasses or small glass dessert bowls, place 1/4 of the crushed shortbread cookies in the bottom of each. Next, layer approximately 1/4 of the cheese mixture and 1/4 of the berry mixture, ending with a sprinkling of the crushed cookies in each. Allow trifles to chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.
Source: www.TheFreshMarket.com
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