| Try the Metropolitan Deli and Catering Company
in Westford on Rte. 110 (I think) right across
from the Westford regency.
They make everything from scratch, have an extensive
catering menu, and will deliver. Prices are
reasonable for the quality of the food. They buy
all their fresh from Idylwilde, cook their own meats,
and make their own breads, cookies and sauces.
S-
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| REF. .1
Ah, believe me - I am an avid cook in a desparate situation (with my
kitchen out of order). I thought that other cooks would have "emergency"
solutions to my dilemma; indeed, they do. I do admit I'm a lousy baker
though, other than that I seem to have gotten the reputation that I am
a gourmet cook [which I hope to live up to - even with my oven blown
up!!].
On the contrary, the COOKS file - is the perfect place to post such a
note. I'm in a very comical situation actually - it could only happen
to me!
I do appreciate the advice. I've never had to "buy" a ready made party
before.
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| My former landlord took a year to replace the stove. It got replaced
when I got tired of not being able to cook, and offered to get it fixed
and deduct the cost of the repair from my rent (a stove was listed in
the lease, was it not?).
Creative cooks can create many appetizers that do not require a stove.
Consult your library (Appetizers) or friends. Better yet, contact the
guests, have them bring their favorite appetizer with a recipe card to
give to the guest of honor. See, you too can be Creative!
Cynthia
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|
Well, I like to cook, but I've often been in this situation. (Though
mostly from lack of time and energy than from a broken stove). Here
are some of my favorites:
1. A spiral-sliced ham with biscuits. (Usually I make the biscuits by
putting herbs in Bisquix, but store-bought would be fine.) Set out
an array of different mustards, and a variety of pickles. I've often
been able to get a spiral-sliced ham from a good supermarket-- it
isn't too costly that way.
2. Store bought, frozen swedish meatballs. Use a Knorr-like seasoning
package for the Swedish meatball sauce. This is harder to find, but
some supermarkets do carry it. Made up with sour cream, it is
quite tasty.
Serve this with toothpicks...it is just gobbled up.
I've never tried them, but the recipes for crockpot meatballs in
a current-jelly/?? sauce might be worth trying, too.
3. Thinly sliced bagels, spread with cream cheese, and a little
lox or smoked salmon.
4. cream cheese spread with hot pepper jelly or chutney and served
with crackers.
5. Assembly-line hors-d'oervres:
Pick several from the following list for your 'base':
thinly-sliced: cucumbers, zuchinni, daikon radish,
french baquettes, Swedish crisp bread
Select a few spreads from the following list:
cream cheese, butter, goat cheese, deviled meat
and, pick a few toppings:
chopped sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves,
roasted peppers, sliced fresh peppers,
parsley
BJ's has the best prices on sun-dried tomatoes around,
jars of roasted red peppers are available from most
grocery stores for little cost.
Lay out your bases, cover them with the spreads (mix-and match
the spreads), add a topping for taste and visual interest.
These are quick to make up, and can be made up a few hours before
the party. But don't use crackers--they will get soggy.
6. smoked mussles, oysters, etc on swedish crisp bread
7. not cheap, but good value for a stunning appetizer:
a terrine of goat cheese w basil and sun-dried tomatoes:
mix goat cheese with cream cheese and butter.
(budget and judgement determine amounts)
Line terrine with saran wrap.
put a layer of the cheese mixture (1/3) in terrine
put in a layer of chopped basil leaves mixed with
a tiny amount of olive oil.
layer next 1/3 of cheese.
put in layer of chopped up sun-dried tomatoes.
layer last 1/3 cheese.
put in fridge until just before serving.
remove from terrine. Place on serving dish. remove saran wrap.
serve w crackers.
8. Dessert of bought pound cake with lemon curd topping or blueberry or
raspberry sauce. (Just defrost frozen berries and mash
lightly with a little sugar.) I've seen lemon curd in the
jam section of supermarkets.
9. Assorted cookies from a bakery
10. Store-bought crepes (available in produce section of many supermarkets),
wrapped around heated Nuttella (see notes discussing this), and topped
with whipped cream. (Spags is cheapest place I've seen for Nuttella,
but many supermarkets, Idylewilde, or other 'gourmet' stores have it.)
11. Premium ice-cream (such as Annabelle's at Idylewilde).
Good luck
- Robin
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