I need suggestions for a campaign fundraiser; home buffet.

I have a friend who is running for U.S Congress. It is her first attempt. We will have the announcement in mid-January. She has a lovely, modern country-home in the suburbs. It has a rustic theme with a fireplace and is on a culd-a-sac. After a short discussion, the decision was made to have her announcement at her home, in the evening.

I want to do the set-up and buffet. I'm seeking suggestions for food items and beverage ideas. I think there should be alcohol/wine available since we are entertaining adults....as well as the water,soft drinks, and hot beverages. The food selections should be along a theme of comfort foods yet simple finger foods. I'll order the desert choices from our local gourmet store.....I'm thinking cannoli at the moment but the candidate is not Italian nor is our neighborhood....but they are sooooo good.

I'm thinking of seasoned nuts, like home roasted pecans and walnuts, sweetened and with a little hint of chili pepper.

NO garlic...for obvious resons.....

Here is another I like....Shallot Cherry Confit on a crusty baguette with cheese slice.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id...

Okay....let's hear your choices and options.....


How would one present the table? Theme ideas anyone???????

so the foodies can have at it! :)

:blush: but was wanting faster feedback since it did not show on the main new thread list.....Not that I'm in a hurry, just excited about planning.

And then after the dishes are done. :D

and you'd be buying blue :)

We do have Trader Joe's and he's BLUE! I also can do the cooking which is a great cost savings and tasty too.

Rumor has it we are getting a Costco in our neighborhood by 06....:woohoo:

from there!

for a couple of local candidates.

:)

I have some cheese items, and the shallot cherry crustini. I always have fresh,raw vegetables and dip......thats a given and hummus. Do do you have any other suggestions? Something with roasted or grilled eggplant maybe?

Wow, you threw me there... OK, OK, seriously...

Having done this sort of thing for brunches, open houses, and casual nighttime to-do's (yes, boys and girls, Sapph loves to entertain!), I often think in terms of a Chinese dim sum menu. Now, that's a LOT of prep time involved, yes -- but you can do almost all the prep the day before, and the end result is a wide variety of easy-to-handle finger foods which keep extremely well on hot plates: Char siu bao, mini-egg rolls, fried won tons, pot stickers, etc.

If you don't want to go that route, you can cheat and make mini-pizzas out of those Pillsbury bread rolls that come in the tube; all you do is spread a nice, thick pasta sauce on top of them before baking. Good stuff, easy to handle, and very popular.

Rumaki is always popular, too. I don't do the usual liver-based recipe; I take the easy way, and wrap pineapple chunks in bacon strips, jam a toothpick through each one to hold it together (and guests use to pick them up with), spread them out on a cookie sheet, and broil them in the oven just long enough to cook the bacon.

Of course, you've got to have lot of vegetarian choices... Cheeses and dips (and fresh cut veggies) are a must.

That's all off the top of my head, and doesn't follow a theme. The thing that guides me (when I'm not doing a sit-down dinner) is simply: What can I make ahead of time, so that I'm not running around serving people, freeing me up to actually enjoy / interact with my guests?

We came up with some great ideas in the cooking forum. I was impatient and posted in both forums....I know, but I get excited about cooking and entertaining.

Come over and take a peek at out ideas.......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x13861

I'm spinning on the main item, a protien seems needed. I feel like a center piece item is needed. We have a local store that makes the most delicious spiral honey hams. They are 4-Star! It is also a favorite local treat. Ghee...maybe they will donate it??????

http://www.dorothylane.com/departments/meat/heavenlyham.html

Got it out of Saveur. It goes like mad. It's not spiral though, & the point is that you want to use as cheap a bone-in ham as you can find. If the spiral doesn't work out just give me a hollar & I'll get you the recipe.

:hi:

with various toppings. A mushroom pate, a mixed veggie topping, a smoked salmon one or a sesame tuna tartar. There are an infinite array of different toppings that can be made for a wide taste range.

trying to choose which crusty baguette crustini to serve...Why not several! Indeed....

but if there are wineries in the area see if you can't solicit some donated wine. I often do that here.

Whatever food you do just make sure it is convenient to eat while mingling. Think small. The ideas you list sound very good.

Much success! :toast:

Julie

thus I'm concluding it is an excellent idea.......I'm going to try! I'm sure I'll convince them.......I have a nack. I don't know why I was blocking this option....

How will the beat reporters and the society pages report this?

I could imagine them doing a story on "ELITE LIBERAL eating fancy food at campaign kick-off."

Is that the image he/she wants to start off the campaign?

I would think "Down Home" or "Cowboy" food to connect with the average voter. Too cold for a BBQ? I would go with Santa Maria Style BBQ. Tri-tip and the fixins.

thanks

Heck, we will feed them too. I have a good relationship with the press.

I have plans for the down home country boys in the spring. This is the introduction showcase day, "The Announcement". In all honesty, the menu is comprised of simple eats, just not from the fast-food district or the crock pot. This is what I'm use to doing at home too. Simple, fresh items of good quality and full of flavor.

grated ginger used to infuse fruit juices... pinapple orange, lemonade or any citrus drink.
rum, vodka both work well if you want to add it. yummy.

and if you're going for 'down home' whip up some rice krispie squares..brownies..choc chip cookies..

a pot of chili ..some cornbread

hot cheese dip & nacho chips

make your own taco bar



a relish plate with pickled beets, sweet pickles, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli & dip..

K.I.S.S.


what your family would like, your guests would too.. Most people make a mistake by trying to "fancy it up"..
Do you really even need alcohol?? I would worry about people driving home afterwards..especially if it nasty weather..

What are some special dishes or deserts from your state? Any local well known chefs or certain foods that are native to your state?

You may even be able to get a local Dem restaurant owner to donate some food. We had a local Dem business owner do this for us, during the GE. The event was at his restaurant and he donated all of the food and drinks.

It's always good to bring in state pride and state identity for political events.