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Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

3198.0. "PARTY: Theme Parties" by FRAGLE::LUSIAK () Fri Aug 23 1991 16:31

    Hello to all of you culinary experts out there.  I did a dir/title and
    didn't really find what I was looking for, so I'm going to attempt my
    request in a new note.
    
    Two other couples besides my husband and me are about to start a
    monthly dinner get together.  I thought that each month we could have
    it at someone else's house - the host makes the main course and the
    other two couples make the desert and appetizers.  This way no one gets
    stuck with the brunt every time.
    
    The object here is not only to get together for an evening of fun and
    games, but to create a theme for the eveing and everyone follow suit -
    decided by the host couple.  The sky is the limit here, ethnic, color
    schemes, beach party in January, anything that suits ones fancy.
    
    Since this is my idea, my husband and I are going to start.  I thought
    that maybe we'd start with mexican (easy) I have a mexican blanket that
    I could use for a table cloth, I'd get a pinata (make some game out of
    that one), I have a highly decorated mexican sombrero, borrow some
    mexican music from the library and then of course the food.  This way
    we have the option to "dress up" if we feel like it or whatever (all in
    fun).  I thought this was a great idea, but my husband doesn't want to
    do mexican because one of our friends specialize in mexican and want to
    give them a chance to "show off".  Oh, well.
    
    My husband is Polish and we are considering that.  Not knowing anything
    about Poland or Polish customs though, it leaves me to believe that
    people (including ourselves) might have to do some research for this
    one.  I don't want this party idea to have to become "work".  It should
    be something that can easily fit into our busy lives.
    
    Any suggestions??? I read the note on the Harvest party #2666 and that
    sounded good, only the first get together will be in early September.  I
    would appreciate any ideas and recipes as crazy as you want.
    
    Thanks for any ideas.
    
    Barbara 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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3198.1CHECK OUT THE FRUGE!CHORTL::JENSENTo fly is to be free.Fri Aug 23 1991 17:375
    The easy way out of this is to get a copy (from the lobrary or anywhere
    else) of the Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrent Ancestors.  If you watch
    him on Channel 2 he did Poland in two segments.  It is pretty much what
    you would think it is. sausages, potatoes, etc.  Hope this helps.
    
3198.2or a clambakeWAHOO::LEVESQUEHungry mouths are waiting...Mon Aug 26 1991 09:301
 being the end of the summer, perhaps you might like to try a luau...
3198.3Why? Be-claws!WEORG::AITELmy cat ate itMon Aug 26 1991 11:385
    Or, seeing as it's nearly September, a lobster-feast! (isn't it R
    months when lobsters are good? ie, months with the letter "r" in
    their names? or is that artichokes?)
    
    --Louise
3198.4CALS::HEALEYDTN 297-2426 (was Karen Luby)Mon Aug 26 1991 11:465

    8 months have the letter R in it.  Only May thru August do not.

    Karen
3198.5WEORG::AITELmy cat ate itMon Aug 26 1991 11:487
    Right... I think it was something about the warm weather months being
    bad for lobster?  anyhow, I like the idea that 8 months are GOOD
    for it!
    
    grin!
    
    --L
3198.6EVETPU::RUSTMon Aug 26 1991 14:199
    <Argh - forgot to take notes.> I have a cookbook that's the essence of
    all theme cooking: the author started with paintings, and produced
    meals ranging from hearty-Flemish-peasant fare to a Dali-esque
    brunch... Some of the meals were more appetizing than others, but I
    thought it was a fabulous idea. So, if you run out of
    international-foods themes, try picking a favorite painting and
    conjuring a menu from that.
    
    -b
3198.7It's Oysters with the "r" in the monthDPDMAI::SODERSTROMLady Godiva Ate ChocolatesMon Aug 26 1991 18:191
    
3198.8Friday the 13thFRAGLE::LUSIAKTue Aug 27 1991 10:319
    I just realized that my party (mentioned in .0) will be held on 9/13 -
    that's Friday the 13th.  My girlfriend said to go with it (hee,hee).
    I kinda like the idea - but what would be appropriate?  We were joking
    around about someone bringing a chainsaw to cut the meat.  I have never
    seen the movie (nor do I plan to), but any ideas from you folks would
    be great.  
    
    PS thanks for the suggestions so far.  I will check out the frugal
    gourmet.
3198.9I love theme parties! IAMOK::NUGENTMy ducks are all in a row...Wed Aug 28 1991 13:5425
     Just had to write! Every party I give is a theme party! It's great
    fun.
    
     Themes over the years have run the gamut from a food type (I once did
    a GARLIC party, once a KALUHA party...) to type of dish, (SOUFLEE's)
    to ethnic (They are still talking about the Chinese food party!)
    
     It started out due to boredom with the same recipes at the same
    parties and sort of "blossomed" from there. 
    
     I will say that ethnic parties are hard if you are not familar with
    the normal food of that group. But there are many cookbooks on the
    market or in libraries that are great help. You can always check here.
    The folks in this notesfile have always come through for me!
    
     This idea has become so popular in my familly that all parties are now
    theme parties!
    
     Go wild. I would most definatly use Friday the 13th as the theme...
    I would be tempted to do a color theme or a favorite Hitchcock movie
    (I don't know why the movie "THE BIRDS" comes to mind!  ;^) ...)
    
     Have fun and let us know!
    
     Deb.
3198.10ETHNIC THEME PARTIESHYEND::PALMWed Aug 28 1991 16:0933
	We did this years ago when we lived in Western Mass.  It was great
fun.  We had about 8 couples however so the hostess only had to provide the
menu, home and coffee.  Everyone took something off the menu to prepare.

We had over a period of time:
			Hungarian
			Irish
			Hawaiian
			Scandinavian
			French
			Mexican
			Chinese
			Harvest Menu
			Spring Fling (mine)
			In the ground N.E. Clambake
			Russian
			Isralei

I still have the printed menus if you decide on any one in particular.

Friday the 13th would present a challenge...but sounds like it would be
easier for October....or around Halloween to come thru with scary foods
etc.  The only thing I can think of for an appetizer is "tomatoes from Hell"
aka very spicy minature tomatoes marinated in vodka and frozen until you use
them.  I think the recipe is in the Notes here somewhere.  Kind of like a
bloody Mary I guess, haven't done them but mean to someday.

Let us know what you decide on...have fun....but don't invite JAAAson.

Ann


  			
3198.11EVETPU::RUSTThu Aug 29 1991 10:3910
    We've had mystery-theme parties, which feature "red herring" and "plot
    twists (pretzels)", among other things.
    
    Let's see - for a Friday-the-13th theme, you could go for the
    good-luck/bad-luck stuff: maybe some rabbit (with or without feet!);
    devils-on-horseback and/or the angels version (I forget which one is
    the bacon and oysters); serve the salt in a little pile next to each
    plate, and start the meal by tossing some over your shoulder...
    
    -b
3198.12Hawaiian ThemeHOCUS::FCOLLINSThu Aug 29 1991 13:065
    I've been asked for Hawaiian desserts.  Can anyone help?
    
    Thanks.
    
    Flo
3198.13Ambrosia?AKOCOA::SCHOFIELDThu Aug 29 1991 13:166
    What about Ambrosia? I know there's a recipe in here somewhere.
    Something like: cool whip, mayo, mini marshmallows, fruit(?). 
    (Don'tcha love people that say "Make this, but I don't have the
    recipe..."
    
    beth
3198.14Coconut Cream PiePINION::HACHEMy Foot Is On The RockTue Sep 03 1991 11:350