GRANDMA’S KITCHEN

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Grandma’s

Kitchen

We all have family gatherings or other special events when we prefer finger foods over traditional meals. Finger foods do not tie us to the kitchen, but allows us to mingle and enjoy the event with our guests because most can be prepared ahead of time and set out just before guests arrive.

Finger foods are just the right thing for wedding receptions, Super Bowl parties, birthday parties, piano recitals, Bridal or baby showers and other social events.

Preparing a table setting for your event is pleasing to the eye and shows what the occasion is celebrating.

For a wedding you might use a white tablecloth with a lacy one on top. You could place flowers the color of the bride’s bouquet in the center back of the table. White cloth napkins would be better than paper.

For a birthday party, choose a bright color cloth with the cake as the centerpiece and confetti scattered across the table to make it festive. Paper napkins and plates with a birthday theme would be fine for a Birthday Party.

For Super Bowl parties, a cloth with the image of a football field and small footballs around the table would be attractive. It is easy to find paper plates and napkins with a football theme.

Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.

For a social event, you might choose a natural color linen tablecloth. For this type of occasion you could also use linen napkins. You might place a symbol of the event in the center back. For instance, a piece of art or sculpture for an Art Show or an example of workmanship at a Craft Show.

Candles are appropriate for any occasion. They can even be your center piece. Colors and scents can be matched to your special event.

Food should always be placed with meat items first, vegetables next, then fruits. Desserts should be the last items in the line. It is easier for guests to choose their preferences if each kind of offering is placed together instead of randomly placed on the table.

Platters, three tiered stands, chafing dishes or other food containers can help make the table beautiful.

It has been quite a while since I have hosted such events, but have been in a group at times to help put them together. The only event I normally host at home now is Christmas Eve. We have started having finger foods on Christmas Eve so we can grab a plate of food and congregate in a more relaxed environment.

Here are some ideas for finger foods. I hope you enjoy them.

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.

Shrimp Dip 1 – 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup mayonnaise ½ teaspoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons Chili Sauce (not sweet) ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 4. oz. Tiny shrimp, cooked Beat mayonnaise and cream cheese together until smooth. Add lemon juice, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce and stir until well blended. Cut the shrimp in small pieces and add to cream cheese mixture. Chill at least two hours before serving. Serve with crackers

Deluxe Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches 2 cooked whole chicken breasts, cut in small chunks ½ cup halved seedless red grapes ¼ cup finely chopped pecans ½ cup finely diced celery ¼ cup dried cranberries Salt and pepper to taste Mayonnaise enough to hold salad Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add enough mayonnaise to hold ingredients together. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Top half of butter side of bread with chicken salad. Top with another slice, butter side down. Remove crusts and cut diagonally. together 16 slices white bread Butter at room temperature In a large bowl, combine chicken, grapes, pecans, celery and cranberries. If you wish to make ahead and store; place in container, top with waxed paper and moist paper towels over waxed paper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mini Cheese Balls 2 – 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened slightly 16 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Mix cream cheese and cheddar with hand mixer until smooth. Add garlic powder, lemon juice and Worcestershire until well blended With greased or moistened hands, roll into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate at least an hour. Place chives, pecans, sunflower seeds and freeze dried cranberries in individual bowls. Roll each ball in one bowl to cover. Place sturdy toothpicks in each cheese ball and serve with crackers or bread chunks You can serve skewers with a slice of ham, a blue cheese chunk and an apple slice or a slice of chicken, Swiss cheese and an olive Fold meat in half twice to place on skewer, add cheese and an olive or apple slice

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