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[konapoppy]

I am hosting a brunch / lunch get together with about 12 adults and 8 kids (a few are still toddlers). Some are vegetarian, none mind vegetarian foods. It ended up being cheese and bread heavy but I don’t think there will be complaints about that 🤣

Anything glaring I am missing?

Food:
Salad (I will have one and I am sure someone else will have one)
Charcuterie and crudite
Cranberry dip
Grilled cheese tomato soup (soup with croutons and melted cheese on top)
Mushroom/kale/leek strata
Puff pastry trees - maybe with pesto and Gruyère (though I really wanted to make Nutella ones)
In past years I have done a veggie harvest side dish, which I could do again to increase the number of veggies

Desserts:
Pumpkin tres leches
Sugar cookies (kids decorating)
Cookies (friend bringing)

Drinks:
Pom mimosas
Sparkling cider
La croix

Kids:
Goldfish
Fruit
Cheese pizza
Whatever else we have in the house that the kids want to eat

[basilosaurus]

I'd add something more veg heavy. While I will happily subsist on bread and cheese, I really appreciate veg dishes. A frittata even. I'm not huge on crudite unless there's a great dip

[rhian]

It looks delicious! I'd maybe add something else like the strata that's a little more substantial/with protein. A quiche maybe?

[sonrisa]

Sounds great.

It more food than I think you *need* to do. I definitely don't think you need to add anything 
(While I would definitely enjoy some of that roast veggie side dish if you do add it - I would be just as happy with the salad, crudite and tomato soup as the main veggies). It's one lunch. Anyone who thinks a charcuterie board plus grilled cheese is not enough protein, can make it up at dinner.

(Honestly "you need to add this" and "I personally don't like that" suggestions on a post where you asked for "glaring omissions" reminds me why I now hate cooking Thanksgiving dinner. All that work and still people can't just enjoy what's on offer. It's not a restaurant.)

[nicolewi]

Sounds fancy and super cute! I think the menu is great as written.

[basilosaurus]

I might be the exception weirdo, but I really don't like tomato soup. I love tomatoes. I love soup. I just don't like them together. And I don't think soup is easy in this setting.

I have a great spinach artichoke dip, a hot one, that even meat eaters like. I'll take that any day over tomato soup. And I had a moosewood cookbook strata that my avowed carnivore friend would request that's easy. Silken tofu and red pepper iirc.

[SusanBAnthony]

As a vegetarian I would be delighted with that menu.

[sonrisa]

Dec 2, 2023 10:48:47 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I might be the exception weirdo, but I really don't like tomato soup. I love tomatoes. I love soup. I just don't like them together. And I don't think soup is easy in this setting.

I have a great spinach artichoke dip, a hot one, that even meat eaters like. I'll take that any day over tomato soup. And I had a moosewood cookbook strata that my avowed carnivore friend would request that's easy. Silken tofu and red pepper iirc.

So don't make it at your home.

This is an event with 20 people. Surely you wouldn't expect it to cater to your personal eccentricities (of hating tomato soup and crudite).

Eat the strata. Or the pizza.  or the salad. Or the puff pastry. Or the cheese on the charcuterie board. Or just smile and enjoy everyone's company.  

[eb777888]

I think it all looks great! I also would not add more food, that looks like plenty!

[notsopicky]

It looks amazing. I'd eat it all because...see screenname.

ETA: You do not need to add anything else. 

[wanderingback]

That looks like a lot of food and I don’t think you’re missing anything! Way more fancy/food than I would do I personally hate tomatoes and tomato soup but that doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s not a good item to serve!

[konapoppy]

Thanks, all! This is my one big event I host each year so I like to try a few new things in addition to the staples.

[cricketwife]

This looks wonderful! You probably have this and just didn’t list it, but I’d have something for the kids to drink. Flat water, juice boxes, whateve, but something not carbonated.

Is this a sit down brunch? If it’s not, then I’d probably sub something out for the soup because that would be hard for a lot of people if it’s not a sit down meal.

I’m not saying these are glaring errrors but trying to contribute ideas. I think you have a lovely menu and I’d be pleased to be a guest there!

[SusanBAnthony]

Do you have a recipe for the soup?

[konapoppy]

Dec 2, 2023 12:39:44 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Do you have a recipe for the soup?

www.thekitchn.com/roasted-tomato-soup-cheesy-crouton-topper-recipe-23103114

It’s fantastic

[orval]

Personally, I would add more protein-- specifically for the non vegetarians. I don't mind vegetarian food, but I would leave hungry if this is a supposed to be a meal not just apps. Maybe just a nice platter of bacon- maybe sugared up to be fancy. coleycooks.com/candied-bacon/ That way it's not mixed in with the veg foods.

[livinitup]

I love serving homemade soup !

Everything looks marvelous.

[al dente]

I think it all sounds good! If you want to add protein you could add beans or quinoa to the salad.

This might be a "me" issue so feel free to ignore, but when having a young toddler I would love to show up to a function and have fruit cut for them. Ei no whole grapes. I have been to many a small kid birthday party where I'm attempting to cut grapes with the side of a plastic fork faster then my kid can shove whole grapes in her mouth and run off, and nothing stresses me out more lol.

[shopgirl07]

It’s perfect. Have fun!

[circa1978]

I understand asking for feedback because I write my menus out a million times before every party. I think it looks great and if your instinct or inclination is to have one more veggie dish, that sounds good too. I probably would do the puff pastry as a savory.

[konapoppy]

Dec 2, 2023 12:24:25 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

This looks wonderful! You probably have this and just didn’t list it, but I’d have something for the kids to drink. Flat water, juice boxes, whateve, but something not carbonated.

Is this a sit down brunch? If it’s not, then I’d probably sub something out for the soup because that would be hard for a lot of people if it’s not a sit down meal.

I’m not saying these are glaring errrors but trying to contribute ideas. I think you have a lovely menu and I’d be pleased to be a guest there!

Yeah the soup makes me a little nervous but it is so good and my friends will love it.

[konapoppy]

Dec 2, 2023 13:28:15 GMT -5 al dente said:

I think it all sounds good! If you want to add protein you could add beans or quinoa to the salad.

This might be a "me" issue so feel free to ignore, but when having a young toddler I would love to show up to a function and have fruit cut for them. Ei no whole grapes. I have been to many a small kid birthday party where I'm attempting to cut grapes with the side of a plastic fork faster then my kid can shove whole grapes in her mouth and run off, and nothing stresses me out more lol.

Good point. I can quarter some grapes for the parents.

[expectantsteelerfan]

It all sounds so good. I was also going to say maybe add a little protein too...like you don't need a whole additional dish, but maybe some additional protein on the side that could be added to the salad if wanted? Like hard boiled eggs or even grilled chicken or deli ham in a small bowl?

I eat low carb/high protein so I'm always looking for ways to add protein in with my veggies, but if you don't think your friends mind carb heavy then I think you have plenty of food in general.

And as I was reading the post, my initial response was going to be different until I got to the end. I was cringing at the thought of having to say, um, my teens won't eat any of that, so I doubt picky toddlers will! But then I got to the kids section and saw you had that covered. I wish my kids would eat more adult food, but as much as I offer it, they still eat like toddlers.

[sadlebred]

I love that menu!

[SusanBAnthony]

@expatsteelerfan same on the teens... I have one who would try most of it and one who will be eating the cheese pizza, juice boxes, and quartered graped lolol.

[jett]

Is the US obsessed with protein intake?! It’s one meal, not the menu you will be forced to exclusively eat from for months on end. Maybe it’s a cultural difference I’m not familiar with but….it’s coming across rather oddly.

OP, you have put together a lovely and thoughtful menu. I also dislike anything tomato but would never expect you to change/add a thing. I hope you and your friends have a lovely time!

[ellipses84]

I like the idea of another veggie side, lots of fresh fruit for kids and adults, and some more protein, but it may not be needed if the charcuteries has enough options. I’m not sure how you are preparing the grilled cheese but if I have rolls or bread and deli meat at a buffet spread, I think it’s a nice option for people to make their own sandwiches or customize the grilled cheese.

To answer the other poster, I think the US is pretty obsessed with protein, and there’s been lots of diet fads that focus on it. Bacon/sausage/eggs are typical at a traditional sit down breakfast or brunch.

[basilosaurus]

Dec 2, 2023 10:56:50 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Dec 2, 2023 10:48:47 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I might be the exception weirdo, but I really don't like tomato soup. I love tomatoes. I love soup. I just don't like them together. And I don't think soup is easy in this setting.

I have a great spinach artichoke dip, a hot one, that even meat eaters like. I'll take that any day over tomato soup. And I had a moosewood cookbook strata that my avowed carnivore friend would request that's easy. Silken tofu and red pepper iirc.

So don't make it at your home.

This is an event with 20 people. Surely you wouldn't expect it to cater to your personal eccentricities (of hating tomato soup and crudite).

Eat the strata. Or the pizza.  or the salad. Or the puff pastry. Or the cheese on the charcuterie board. Or just smile and enjoy everyone's company.  

I said if happily eat bread and cheese. Sometimes that's all I'll eat for a couple days. We were asked for feedback, and I have it. I think just one dish with more veg/protein would round it out. Nbd.

[konapoppy]

Thanks again! Menu was a hit. I asked what to change for next year, and they want the exact same menu 🤣

[wanderingback]

Dec 2, 2023 20:48:10 GMT -5 jett said:

Is the US obsessed with protein intake?! It’s one meal, not the menu you will be forced to exclusively eat from for months on end. Maybe it’s a cultural difference I’m not familiar with but….it’s coming across rather oddly.

OP, you have put together a lovely and thoughtful menu. I also dislike anything tomato but would never expect you to change/add a thing. I hope you and your friends have a lovely time!

I was gonna say something similar. Yes the US is obsessed with meat protein intake lol.

OP, glad things went well!!