Ethnic food theme for a small party?

Question

Hi. I belong to a group that holds a potluck type party for tasting and exchanging recipes monthly. It's my turn to host and I need to choose a theme. My thoughts are Indian, South American, Chinese, Southest Asian or tropical islands. Everyone brings a dish that goes with the theme and I'd pick music and some decorations.

Which would you prefer to attend? Or does someone have another idea?

Thanks-it's my first time hosting one of these, so I want to make sure it's nice :)

Answer 1

What a fun & wonderful idea!  Personally for me, it's summer and that means grilling!  So I would choose tropical islands (either Polynesian/Hawaiian or Caribbean).  Light & refreshing salads, cool drinks, lots of grilled foods....

My other suggestion is Mediterranean cuisine which is also light and summer friendly and has lots of options:  Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Greece & even North Africa. I had hosted one of these last summer and it was so much fun:  we had lots of sangria, tapas, Med cheese platter, marinated olives, kebabs, hummus, baba ghanouj, pita, tzatsiki, tajines, pasta, couscous, dates, figs, nuts.......

Answer 2

Chinese, Thai and Hawaiian.  All are easy to make and delicious.

Chinese- fried rice, BBQ pork, hot sour soup, tea, tapioca pudding.

Thai- satay, curry, pad Thai, tom yum goong, Thai iced tea, fried bananas.

Hawaiian- Hawaiian punch, Hawaiian pizza, Kahlua pork, salmon lomi lomi, haupia pudding or ice cream.

Answer 3

Thai food is the way to go - it's wonderfully tasty with some easy to cook recipes: http://www.thai-food-online.co.uk/thaire...

Answer 4

ooh...tapas would be fun to do for a small party with some good sangria!

Answer 5

Out of your choices I would pick Indian but Mexican would also be great. Many easy and tasty food choices with both.

Answer 6

Thai food

Green curry ! jus tooo yummy

Answer 7

I like Greek food or Middle Eastern

Answer 8

Cajun!

Shrimp jambalaya

fried oysters

fried catfish

Cajun Crab Crisp

12 English muffins

1/2 cup butter

5 oz Old English cheese (jar)

1-1/2 tsp mayonnaise

1/2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp Konriko seasoning

1 tsp Tabasco

1-1/2 lb white crabmeat

Melt butter and mix all ingredients together and spread on split and quartered English muffins. Bake at 350F in oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until toasted and golden brown.

Cajun Seasoned Pecans

1/3 cup butter or margarine

4 cups pecan halves (about 1 lb)

1 tsp Cajun seasoning, or to taste

Put butter and pecans in large, shallow roasting pan. Toast in preheated 325F oven 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with seasoning and toast 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Cool, then pack airtight and store in cool dry place. Will keep 1 month.

Makes 4 cups.

Shrimp Puffs

6 tbs butter or margarine

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp garlic salt

3 eggs

6 oz pkg frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed and drained,

Or

1 cup coarsely chopped cooked shrimp

1/4 cup sliced green onions

5 tbs grated Parmesan cheese

Cut butter or margarine in six pieces. Place water and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a full boil over medium heat. Boil just until butter is melted. Add flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously until dough forms a ball and leaves the side of the pan about one minute. Remove from heat. Let stand five minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. After the last egg is mixed in. mix vigorously 30 seconds longer. Stir in shrimp, green onions and four tbs Parmesan.

Drop shrimp dough by slightly rounded tsp about two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake in 400F oven 20 to 30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Serve warm or cooled.

Makes 36.

Zydeco music, overalls, barefoot, straw hats

decorate with fish nets (trawls), plastic crabs, pirogues (cajun boat), plastic shrimp.

Answer 9

Hawaiian!

You could make Haupia (coconut pudding), have fruit for nibbling, etc.

The decor and music would be fun.