Communion Menu

all I remember from my first communion party is that I got to have an ice cream cake. I highly recommend them. :-)

You can get the GIANT bag'o'chicken wings (or bags) from Costco... lay them out on a cookie sheet and bake them the day before. Then, just toss them with sauce (franks for hotwings, teriyaki, or just leave plain) and keep them in the fridge. Ditto you can roast a bunch of corn the day before as well (or day of). Roasted corn is perhaps the easiest thing on the planet. Don't even shuck them, just put them directly on the oven rack and bake or broil for 20-30 minutes. Then when they're steamy/sizzly pull them out and let them cool. The shucks and silk come off with 2 pulls, way easier than shucking raw. Some watermelon slices, some potato salad and you've got bbq without the bbq... and it can all be done the day before.

If you DO have BBQ weather in your neck of the woods... one of our favorite things is Carne Asade.

Carne Asada
-BBQ
- SKIRT steak (it looks ugly, and is waaaaay less expensive than flank steak... but it tastes PHENOMENAL and it grills to die for)
- 2 cups of lime juice (enough to cover at least 1/2 way or all the way)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 purple onion - chopped
- bunch cillantro - chopped including stems
- Santa Maria Seasoning (or garlic salt and cracked pepper sub)

- Tortillas
- Toppings (anything from plain, to avacado, pico de gallo, etc.)

Take the flats of skirt steak and put them in a large dish. Season liberally with Santa Maria Seasoning. Pour over lime juice. Pour over olive oil. Stir in / sprinkle over cilantro and purple onion. If you're doing multiple flats of meat, layer seasoning/onion/cillantro in between each layer. Let marinade for 1-3 hours.

Heat grill up. With tongs lay flats of skirtsteak directly on the lowest rack. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side... until nice and charred and temps internally at 130-160 (130 for mrare, 160 for well done). Let rest for 5-10 minutes on cutting board... cut into thin strips. Serve with tortillas, topping, rice, & beans.

(Quick tip... try roasting some peppers on the grill at the same time. Bell, anaheim, whatever... as well as some unshucked ears of corn.)

The last one we went to had finger foods that the Mom got at Sam's club. Tortilla roll ups, cheese and cracker trays, veggie trays, fruit trays. She said it was not expensive. I would have thought she did id all herself, and it was very good.

You could do the tortillia roll ups easy, luch meats, dressings, olvies, lettuce., what ever you like. Deviled eggs seem to be a hit at every buffet line.

We did a Mexican meal, but my husband is Mexican! It was a hit. (enchaladas, tacos, beans, guac, rice) It is cheap.. and you can feed a lot of people!

M.

My son's first communion is this weekend and I plan to go simple. Fruit and veggie trays. A couple of different lunch meat and cheese on a tray with various rolls. I plan to make a cake with a cake pan that is shaped like a bible. I thought about doing something more elaborate but I want to be able to relax and enjoy the celebration. Have fun and good luck.

My sister-in-law makes these AWESOME pinwheel things... She gets different wraps, fills them with meats, cheeses, and a little lettuce, tomato, and mayo............wraps them up, wraps them in saran wrap and refrigerates them overnight... then slices them in the morning into little rolls. They are delicious! I go for the turkey, my husband likes them ham, etc... You could make different combinations...

Also- Target makes these AMAZING spinach and artichoke purses. (Archer Farms) They are sometimes hard to find, but they look and taste so fancy. I would have had them at my wedding if I discovered them years ago.. ;)

Good luck! :)

You could do sandwich platters: turkey croissants,fruit kabobs,a pasta salad and cake for dessert, and a fruity punch.

We are brunching it at our house. There are several good recipes for eggs in the crockpot. We pick up donuts, beagals, and fruit. Of course the menu must have a cake. I then make coffee, tea, and juice. It is really easy and very cheap.

For light lunches and brunches, I'm always a fan of quiche. You make them the day before.

A went to a party and they had a tortilini salad that was fabulous. Sorry I don't have a recipe.

The good old standbys
veggie platter
deviled eggs
cheese and crackers
stuffed breads

If your a BJ's or Costco member, check out the frozen section they have lots of appetizers you just pop in the oven.

Cold Veggie Pizza Squares

Big & Flaky Crescent Rolls (2 cans)
Roll out on cookie sheet and press seams together (cover cookie sheet to make 'crust') - Bake at temp on can until golden brown, let cool.

Mix 8oz cream cheese, 8oz mayo, and 1 pkt Ranch Dip mix (powder). Spread on cooled crust.

Top with fresh, raw, chopped vegetables (matchstick carrots, broccoli, peppers, green onions, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, whatever you want to use)

Cover with 8oz shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and press down lightly over top so that veggies 'stick' to cream cheese layer.

Chill, then cut into squares & serve. Doesn't take long and is so yummy and healthy!

If you have a Costco they have great wrap sandwiches.

Are you doing everything yousrself? I'm always a big proponent of fruit salad - it's yummy, healthy, and (in my family) a great way for everyone to pitch in cutting up fruit. I have great memories of prepping for special occasions with my mom, grandma, aunt (or whoever else was around) chatting in the kitchen while we get ready for the meal :)

For sandwiches, they always look fancier on croissants, as someone else mentioned. I also like a yummy chicken salad on croissants - if you make it from scratch, the chicken can be done ahead of time, and just mix in dressing (plus celery or whatever else you fancy) right before the party.

I made pizza dip in a fondue pot for my son's 2nd bday party. Fast easy and cheap. Send me a message if u would like the recipe.