Baby Shower Challenge!

dawn_mo

dawn_mo

Well-known member
I am throwing a baby shower for a couple who will be having a baby soon. The baby will have been born by then. It will be on the 20th, so I have some time.

The challenge is that I will have about $25 to spend on the whole shower, not including gift.

There will be 14 people.

I have a spiral baked ham in the freezer that I can use, that will not count in the $25.

Any ideas are very welcome. Thanks!

Oh, I am doing lemon-lime-ade with vodka on the side. I did this on Memorial Day and it went over very well with kids and adults alike.

 
A very nice gesture! You could make it a potluck shower.

If you provide the main dish (the ham) and the drinks, I'm sure people will be happy to bring side dishes and desserts. I would come up with a theme of some sort so that you don't end up with a lot of disparate dishes. $25.00 isn't a lot of money to feed 14 people, so make sure it goes as far as it can. Have fun!

 
How about making little sandwiches with that ham? I love those small sandwich rolls

You could serve the rest of the ham slices on a platter for those who don't want the bread. Add a nice pasta salad, fruit salad and cake. That's all you'll need.

If you want to 'fancy' it up a bit, make the fruit uniform size and thread onto small skewers or long toothpicks with a bit of mint.

 
Good idea. Add egg salad sandwiches, and a nice potato salad, and maybe a green salad

if there is money left for lettuce. Let the guests fill in with appetizers and desserts.

 
I wrote this before I opened cheezz' post. Her menu is nice and affordable too.

 
And then I posted in the wrong place. I meant below. I'll go back to bed now.

 
I know, but that is what I have to work with. It's mostly family coming.

My stepdaughter is/by then/was the gestational surrogate for the couple that the shower is for. I don't think my stepdaughter will be up to it, and the couple is staying in a hotel. That leaves my in-laws, who like to "keep it simple". I will have them bring dessert or a fruit salad. But I will be making the rest.
My freezer and pantry are well-stocked, so I have a lot to work with, without spending money. Since I like to cook from scratch, I can save a lot of money there. Thanks everyone!

 
Couple of ideas / Recs

The rec: below can be tweaked and changed and very flexible; ie instead of gruyere, use grated cheese in the bag, etc.... I have also served ham with a corn dish, which I unfortunately, can't find the recipe. I recall using a big bag of frozen corn, etc... (Should not be much $$)

Just some ideas, especially easy because the ham will be in the oven, you can easily use the space for a side dish.

Love the idea re: a side salad.

I recall someone posting a recipe for a pineapple side dish that would be tasty with ham.

Congrats to you for pulling this together.

Best,

Barb

 
I mean, balk at donating money for the food.

I've read so many advice columns with people writing in complaining about that sort of approach. Seems silly, because usually they're happy to bring a dish to share that costs more to make than the donation!

 
I love this with Ham. Joe posted Autumn Potato Gratin by RR

I have made this a few times; in fact it may be on my menu this weekend. I have had success with many different varieties of pots; Very nice compliment to ham. ((Thanks again Joe!)) Very easy. Secret is the herb infused cream sauce.


Autumn Potato Gratin

4 pounds mixed baby potatoes, such as Red Bliss, Peruvian Purples, and Fingerlings
2 cups heavy cream, plus some to cover
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
2 sprigs each fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary
2 garlic cloves, cracked
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Halve the potatoes and toss them into a large baking dish and season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, put the cream, butter, herbs, and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, to infuse the cream with flavor. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the hot cream mixture through a strainer over the potatoes, (discard the herbs and garlic), if there is not enough cream to go 3/4 of the way up the potatoes then pour some additional cream on top to make up the difference. Sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked through and top begins to brown. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

 
if the inlaws bring fruit salad or dessert, you should be fine. make some tassies---easy do-ahead

and pretty cheap to bake and fill. recipe with fillings in T&T. work with what's on special that week---for fruits/veggies. cucumber sandwiches would be economical, and some of your lovely pickled veggies. I like to use the small party ryes for cuke sandwiches---just the right size and no waste---I don't bother cutting off those small crusts. one loaf makes lots of sandwiches.

 
Another favorite with Ham: Rec: Spinach Gratin By Barefoot Contesa

Spinach Gratin

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large)
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups milk
3 pounds frozen chopped spinach, defrosted (5 (10-ounce) packages)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the flour and nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes. Add the cream and milk and cook until thickened. Squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach and add the spinach to the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and mix well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Transfer the spinach to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Gruyere on top. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve hot.

Edited to add that I always add something to spice it up a bit; usually some pepper flakes or some tabasco....

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top