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Joined: 6/20/2008
Posts: 2
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On Oct 17th, I'll be attending my first wine fest here in Norfolk, VA with about 20 friends. In lieu of renting a table, we decided to party picnic-style. Each attendee is supposed to bring food to share with the group. The host has put himself down for 2-4 doz finger sandwiches. Besides chips and pretzels, what can I contribute? I need something that'll go well with wine but won't require much refrigeration since we'll be outdoors and relying on coolers, if they're allowed at all. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I really want to make this a memorable event for me and my friends. Thanks! Sherry
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Joined: 12/6/2007
Posts: 453
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how about a cheese and cracker platter?
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Joined: 2/2/2008
Posts: 159
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Hi Sherry, What about packing a thermos of soup? If there are going to be 20 of you all you will need is a soup shot. If it is cooler weather have a warm soup or if the weather is nice how about a gazpacho? We do food and wine pairings alot and all of our courses are appetizer size. A cheese platter is a great idea and you can always take it up a notch by adding some savory shortbread (I have a recipe for rosemary shortbread), some fruit (like figs and grapes), and use local artisan cheeses with grain breads. Anyway, it sounds like fun and I hope you have a great time, Lynda P.S. We were in Virginia for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. Toured the waterfront in Norfolk. A very nice city.
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Joined: 12/7/2007
Posts: 3684
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New! Goat Cheese, Cranberry Chutney & Toasted Walnut Envelopes Thaw Time: 40 minutes Bake Time: 15 minutes Prep Time: 15 minutes Makes: 25 1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 cup crumbled goat cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup cranberry chutney
1/4 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
Chopped fresh thyme leaves Heat the oven to 400°F. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 12-inch square. Cut into 25 (2 1/4-inch) squares.
Spoon about 2 teaspoons cheese in the center of each pastry square. Top each with about 1/2 teaspoon chutney and about 1/2 teaspoon walnuts. Brush 2 opposite pastry corners with the egg mixture. Fold the pastry corners up over the filling and and press firmly to seal, then fold over to one side, forming an open-ended "envelope". Brush the filled pastries with the egg mixture. Place the pastries onto 2 baking sheets.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Sprinkle the pastries with the thyme before serving, if desired.
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Joined: 6/20/2008
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. A couple of people have already committed to assorted cheeses, crackers, fruit and breads and another is bringing eggplant & fig caponata and humus & pita chips. Since no one's mentioned sweets yet, I'm attempting to make scones in blueberry and cherry, plus I'll have some Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate on hand. If the scones fail, soup sounds like a winner for the "hadn't thought of that" category. I'll save that "Envelopes" recipe for my family's Christmas get-together. They look like beautiful little presents waiting to be opened! Thanks again!!!
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