The Ten-Minute Moment

SHARE THE FUN

When it comes to entertaining, everyone is always on the lookout for new ideas and variations on old favorites. We are all pretty familiar with “potluck” dinners at church socials, or family reunions. One variation on this concept is a “Participate and Enjoy” party. A menu is created by the host/hostess. The recipes are typed out and given to the participating guests. This is usually done about two weeks before the event date. Each person has an assigned part of the menu, as well as the recipe to use. Sometimes they can be traditional, stand-by recipes or it can even be more fun with “new”, never tried, and just found in your favorite magazine type of party. This also gives you the advantage to test these recipes or better yet to taste them without all the work.Your Participate and Enjoy party will be the full-course variety. Someone will make the punch, the appetizers, salad, hot bread, vegetables, main course, dessert, and beverages. If you invite more guests, then your snack food, fruit, or pasta courses can be included. It is a fun way to have a party, a great way to taste new recipes, and a lot of fun for those participating because no one really knows the outcome. Also, a nice side note is to have the recipes typed out in a small “memory” booklet featuring each recipe used, who made, and a space for thoughts and comments. Whenever anyone rereads their “take home” gift, they not only have great recipes, but a lot of fun remembering this special kind of party.Here are a few recipes to get you started:*****SEAFOOD DELIGHT1 8-oz. carton dairy sour cream1/2 cup mayonnaise1 tbs. parsley, finely chopped1 tsp. lemon juice1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce1/2 tsp. white onion, finely chopped1 pkg. imitation crab meat1 pkg. salad shrimpDippers: celery sticks, green onions, green/red pepper strips, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, torn pieces of rye bread, butter-flavored crackers In a bowl, blend the sour cream, mayonnaise, parsley, lemon juice, Worcestershire and onion.Flake apart the crab meat into small pieces. Rinse and dry the salad shrimp. Stir the crabmeat and shrimp into the dressing mixture. Chill for about 2 hrs. Serve on a plate surrounded with your choice of vegetable dippers or crackers.*****STRING BEAN MEDLEY>br> 1/2 lb. hickory or maple-flavored bacon, diced2 lbs. fresh picked young green beans, washed, trimmed, but left whole4 red-skinned new potatoes, unpeeled, and cut into small cubes1 large onion, sliced thinly1/2 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper1 tbs. fresh summer savory or 1/2 tsp. dried1-12 cups chicken stock, preferably home-made but canned will do1/4 cup chopped parsleyIn pot, over medium-high heat, brown the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Pour off fat from pot, as much as possible. Add the green beans, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, savory and chicken stock. Stir gently. Simmer 25 mins. or until potatoes are tender and beans are crisp-tender. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley and add a lemon twist for color.*****Assorted Sandwich Tray-Using rolls, bread (white, wheat, nut, raisin, rye, or specialty), pita, or French bread-*Chopped chicken, raisins, mayonnaiseRoast beef, sliced onions, anchovy fillets, mustardPeanut butter, crisp baconMashed sardines, dry mustard, hard-cooked egg, sweet pickle relishAvocado, chopped onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper, crisp baconSliced American cheese, boiled ham, mustardChopped frankfurters, dry mustard, sweet pickle relish, salad dressingSliced turkey, tomato, bacon, lettuceOr a combination that you have never tried before*****ORANGE CREAM2 pkgs. (3 ozs.) orange flavored gelatin>br?1-1/2 cups boiling water2 cans (11 ozs.) mandarin oranges, drained 1 can (8 ozs.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained1 can (6 ozs.) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawedTopping:1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese, at room temperature1 cup whole milk 1 pkg. (3 ozs.) instant vanilla pudding instantIn bowl, dissolve the orange gelatin in the boiling water. Stir to complete dissolve. Add the fruit and the orange juice. Do not dilute the orange juice with water, just take it directly from the can.Coat a pan with non-stick spray. Do not use butter or shortening. Add the gelatin mixture. Refrigerate until firm.In a bowl., beat the cream cheese in a mixer until very light. Slowly add the whole milk and the pudding. Continue blending until smooth with no lumps. Spread over the fruit layer. Chill until firm.*****Whatever your choice of dishes, you can have a lot of fun with friends and family. In fact, this party theme can be used for picnics and outdoor cooking. Have someone bring kabobs, another stuffed hamburger patties. Ice cold salads, and smooth, tasty desserts will round out the menu. Everyone feels they have contributed to the party, they take home a great gift they use over and over again, and you will have had the opportunity to try a dozen different recipes, while only preparing one. Not a bad compromise!