food brainstorming:

[thanate]

Keeping in mind that this is a slightly-after-noon until 3 or 3:30 reception, so if anything, we're spoiling your dinner, not trying to feed you one. The "kitchen" facility on site consists of a galley-style counter & sink, so I'm not too keen on hot food options. I do not feel that they are necessary, anyhow.

trays of:
gooey cheese & crackers
assorted cheese blocks
[kosher] sausage bits
veggies & dip
fruit bits (& possibly dip?)
mixed nuts (some unsalted)

drinks:
tea
lemonade
Possibly coffee
sodas of some sort??
(alternately, I could say that there are enough functions where I've had to resort to water that if at my own wedding I only serve things *I* want to drink the rest of you can just deal with it. But this seems rude, and therefore unlikely.)

dessert of some kind; cake is traditional. Possibly cake of one flavor with cookies of another, in case people aren't fond of our chosen cake flavor?

Problems:
No onions (ok, this isn't much of a problem)
If we give the sausages their own tray, then vegetarians shouldn't have a problem
All soy must be avoidable (probably not an issue, either)
***There must be no fish or pig ingredients*** because apparently my cousin's fiance will have to go to the emergency room if she touches someone who has eaten either of these things in the last *two days.* Not touching people is her problem, but we're not about to serve her potentially-contaminated food.

We should get little cocktail swords for stabbing things!

Comments

[cheshiretiffy.livejournal.com]

A nummy, cheesy fruit dip consists of creme fraiche, a pinch cinnamon, cream cheese, a dribble of honey or a bit of brown sugar (or, hell, both if you want something very sweet) and a dab of vanilla. The creme is just to soften the cream cheese, really, and will give it the slightest tartness. Or if you want something a little tarter for the fruit, instead of cream cheese use brie. If you want something milder and lighter in texture, use mascarpone and cream cheese. Even lighter, just mascarpone. Attack it all with a mixer or mix it by hand. Either is fine. Mascarpone will get very light and fluffy when mixed.

I recommend this brie for any soft cheese platter or for the dip, even: https://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&productId=566314&catalogId=10002&krypto=QJrbAudPd0vzXUGByeatog%3D%3D&ddkey=http:ProductDisplay

it used to have a different name, but I can't remember it. Even the rind is very mild and soft so its not a huge put-off if you happen to eat some without meaning to.

If you did use such a soft cheese, though, you'd want to set the serving plate/bowl on a dish of ice to keep it cool.

Man, I miss my job at Weggie's cheese shop.

[belfebe.livejournal.com]

Sounds nummy. Who's doing your catering finally?

[kittymaru.livejournal.com]

I think it sounds good.

[doll-paparazzi.livejournal.com]

Small quiches are nice (albeit a pain to make). I made that at an SCA event, full ones and just cut them up and they were really POPULAR and well received.

Not sure if you want some sort of lox and bagel or something like that, however that would break your bank (thought it's SUPER nice to offer that).

Not sure how fancy or how much money you want to spend. I can suggest a lot of other items, but not sure if you need more. I think you really are fine unless you want to get all nuts.

Cake is more than fine. You don't have to worry about serving other desserts. You have the fruit from the first area, so if people don't want cake, they can have fruit. Right?

[thanate.livejournal.com]

Nuts! that was what I was forgetting... ;)

Personally, I don't like most fruit, so I'd be disappointed if someone had some sort of cake (for instance) with cherries in, and then fruit was offered as my sugar alternative. Although I think I'll be able to manage a cake I like, and most other people aren't that picky.

[thanate.livejournal.com]

still *cough* working on that one. But I actually am working on it today, instead of ignoring it, so that's a start.

[grauwulf.livejournal.com]

cocktail skewer tourney

that's all I'd like to add at this point ;P

[hydecat.livejournal.com]

I'd say unless your cake is a Very Strange Flavor you don't have to worry about people wanting an alternative dessert. But, if you aren't getting a chocolate-y cake and you think people would want chocolate, brownies are an easy alternative.

For an afternoon reception, I think lemonade, iced tea and/or hot tea, and coffee would be all the beverages you need. I mean, who doesn't like lemonade?

I'm a fan of small quiches (which are just as tasty cold as they are warm).

[fishy1.livejournal.com]

caramel or chocolate dip for fruits? or maybe just slightly vanilla whipped cream.

Seconded that tea/coffee and lemonade/punch (with fruit bits in?) plus water should be adequate for drinks.