Menu: Tapas for pre-concert gathering, FRC and NFRC

[joyce-in-upstate-ny]

We had tickets to a concert last Friday nite which started at 7:30 and it is a 45 minute drive from our house. Two other couples were joining us, SO, working backwards in time, we figured that there wasn't enough time to go out to dinner before the concert, but we would need to eat 'something'...I wanted a menu that was light, casual, served 'tapas' style so that each guest could sample and fill a small plate. It needed to be prepared in advance and come together quickly since we had about an hour before we had to leave the house.

Here's the menu:

asparagus wrapped in proscuitto

spinach feta in puff pastry

oven baked tilapia

tortellini kabobs

apple pecan whole grain bread (brought by a guest)

bowl of fresh fruit

bunches of red and green grapes

red wine and white wine

platter of cherry, white chocolate, macadamia nut cookies (brought by a guest)

Everything was on the table by 5:40. I enjoyed displaying the items on different platters, wood boards and bowls, buffet style on a round table. I did the prep work on Friday morning before leaving for work and was home at 4pm for final prep and baking smileys/wink.gif

 

[kyheirloomer]

Sounds real nice, Joyce except

I don't understand the bread in puff pasty entry. Could you explain that more fully?

Even when there's plenty of time, I prefer serving tapas style (see the serving of humble pie thread) anyway; it lets you be much more creative, and there is always something for every guest, no matter their food preferences or restrictions.

Besides which, small plate parties are just plain fun.

How was the concert?

 

[joyce-in-upstate-ny]

Hi KYH, this should explain -- REC: Spinach-Feta Cheese Rolls

REC: Spinach-Feta Cheese Rolls

a savory pastry w/ a flaky crust and a warm spinach filling from the La Grange Plantation Inn

Makes about 36 pieces

1 Tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (scallions)
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach,
thawed, squeezed dry
1 1/4 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 tablepoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 large egg yolk

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17 1/4 ounce package (thawed)
milk

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add green onions; saute 1 minute. Transfer to large bowl. Let cool. Stir in spinach, cheese, lemon juice and nutmeg. Season w/ salt and pepper. Add yolk.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter baking sheet. Roll out pastry on floured surface to 13- inch square. Cut pastry in half length-wise, creating two 13x6 1/2 inch strips. Spread filling evenly over pastry, leaving 1-inch border on all sides. Brush edges of pastry with milk. Starting at 1 long side, roll up each pastry jelly roll style. Press edges firmly to seal. Place pastries on baking sheet, seam side down.

Using sharp knife, cut 1-inch-long crosswise score lines in tops of pastries, spacing 3/4 inch apart. Brush pastries with milk. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer pastries to cutting board and cut into slices on score lines. Serve warm.

 

[joyce-in-upstate-ny]

And the concert....nfrc

the concert was great! We saw Johnny Winter and Leon Russell. Johnny Winter walked out very slowy with assistance, he looked very fragile and thin. He sat down and played an unbelievable guitar! Leon Russell had a terrific female vocalist and it was a fabulous bluesy-rock performance. It was a small venue and we had seats in the 10th row. Lots of fun!