Food has always been one of the staples of cultural and national representation and it has had the power to connect people and bring them together in more ways than one. Trying out various cuisines is a great way to experience different cultures but also discover tastes and aromas you never knew existed.
There is a reason food is always present during some of the biggest and most significant events and milestones in people’s lives, especially during holidays and celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and many others.
It can often make us feel nostalgic, happy, and content and it is one of the ways a person can show their love and thoughtfulness to someone they deeply care about.
However, coming up with a perfect menu for your special event might be a bit harder than it seems. Moreover, there are a lot of things to consider when deciding what types of dishes you would like to have and there are two things you can do in such a situation. You can prepare them yourself or you can hire a catering service to do the work for you.
No matter your choice, let’s take a look at some easy, yet classic food ideas you can choose in order to make your special day a memorable one.
1. Appetizers
Starters can either be very simple or you can go for something that needs a little more preparation. An easy dish would be, for example, bite-sized stuffed mushrooms which you can bake and fill with parmesan cheese and Italian sausage. For a vegetarian version, baby spinach and Feta cheese is a good combination.
French onion soup is an appetizer that requires a bit more work and it is made from caramelized onions, meat stock with brandy or sherry added at the end. The meal is topped with croutons and a golden crust of cheese.
2. Salads
You can never go wrong with the classic Caesar salad made from romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and croutons, all topped with the traditional salad dressing.
Another well-known and refreshing combination – tomato, mozzarella, and basil. However, you can add a little twist of your own by throwing in some stuffed mushrooms.
3. Soups
Chicken noodle soup or traditional vegetable soup is easy and fast enough to prepare. But why not make your meal a little more special by serving an interesting course such as a creamy Thai coconut soup?
Coconut milk, sliced mushrooms, lemongrass, tangy ginger, shredded chicken breast, and rice noodles will surely create a buzz and impress your guests more than anything else.
4. Side Dishes
Potatoes or pasta are always a safe bet when it comes to side dishes. Yet, that does not mean they have to be typical ones such as plain mashed potatoes. You can take the meal to the next level by adding some red potatoes, scallions, jalapenos and adobo sauce – garlic, oregano, cumin, dried chilies, and vinegar – to spice things up.
Fettuccine Alfredo is a great pasta dish with fresh fettuccine tossed with butter and parmesan cheese. Another great side dish option – fried rice with soy sauce, minced carrots, baby peas, and egg.
Now, all these dishes are quite easy to prepare but they do require a good portion of your time. This should not be a problem if you are cooking for a smaller group of family and friends. But how about if it is a larger event with a lot of people in attendance?
This is when it might be a good idea to hire a catering service that can offer delicious meal options and take a huge weight off of your shoulders. You will still be able to choose the menu, just not do all the cooking. Some services will even create a menu for you based on a theme of your choice, says diningabode.com.au.
Main Entrees
5. Beef or Pork Courses
Instead of going the traditional route and serving just steak and potatoes, you can opt for something more fun like fajitas with skirt steak. Add some color by serving the tortilla dish with some onions and sweet peppers sauteed in olive oil, salsa made from cilantro, tomatoes, cheese, all topped with sour cream.
You can also simply go for marinated and grilled skirt steak with sauteed red onions and peppercorn butter sauce on top.
Another option, roasted pork tenderloin with cranberry-port sauce or a spiced version with pepper, coriander, nutmeg, and cinnamon topped with sauteed apples, thyme, and shallots.
6. Chicken Entrees
Mix things up by going for tandoori style roasted chicken, marinated in a paste made from paprika, dry mustard, chili powder, cayenne, ginger, garlic powder, coriander, salt, cumin, turmeric, and fennel. The mix can also be used as a sauce with added lime juice and yogurt.
For something a bit easier, grilled chicken breast with sauteed brussels sprouts and tangy mustard sauce is the way to go.
7. Seafood Courses
Salmon is hardly ever the wrong choice but you can make it more interesting by pairing it with a creamy pasta such as spaghetti Carbonara. Bavette – a type of ribbon pasta noodle, salmon, peas, asparagus, and pesto cream sauce is another fun dish to serve.
8. Vegetarian & Vegan Entrees
If you have no experience preparing vegan or vegetarian meals it might be hard to know what to make. Portobello mushrooms with baby spinach, breadcrumb and feta cheese mix, and a creamy sauce might be a good choice.
Grilled eggplant layered with spinach, cheese, roasted bell peppers, artichokes, and marinara is also a delicious and fun dish you can serve.
Desserts
Everybody loves chocolate-coated strawberries and this is probably the easiest, yet quite refreshing and sweet dessert you can make. Some other options include tiramisu, mini fruit tarts, cheesecake, and Crème Brulee.
Whatever you choose, your guests will surely enjoy the tasty dessert treats, especially ones the people who have a sweet tooth.
Conclusion
Is there a better feeling than eating delicious food while sharing a meal with the people you care the most about? Probably not.
This is exactly why you should always try your best and choose dishes with thoughtfulness and care. At the end of the day, all it takes is just a little effort so that you and the people around you can enjoy tasty food and feel satisfied and happy in the process.
