Need ideas for appetizer, formal dinner party for husband's important clients.?

Question

Entree: Cioppino (scallops, prawns, crab, halibut and mussels in tomato base broth)

Dessert: Floating island in custard with berries.

Guests do not like raw oysters.

Answer 1

SPINACH DIP in Sourdough Loaf

1 c. mayonnaise

1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed & drained

1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

1 small can water chestnuts, chopped

1/4 tsp. dill

1/4 c. chopped green onions (with tops)

1 Sourdough whole round & baguettes to dip

     Mix all ingredients together well.  Cut the top off of a sourdough round loaf and scoop out the inside.  Put the dip inside the sourdough and replace the top.  Refrigerate several hours.  Serve with sliced French bread or baguettes to spread it on.

HOT CRAB DIP

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 TB. milk

1 (6-1/2 oz) can flaked crabmeat (or fresh - NOT imitation)

2 Tb. finely chopped onion

1/2 tsp. cream style horseradish

1/4 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

1/3 c. sliced, toasted almonds

crackers for dipping

    Combine all ingredients (except almonds & crackers);  put into small casserole and top with with almonds.  Bake at 375 for 15 min, or until it bubbles.  Serve with crackers  (I usually double this recipe)

CORN CHEESE DIP (for vegetables)

3/4 lb. grated sharp Cheddar cheese, room temp

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. mayonnaise

garlic powder, to taste

salt & pepper to taste

finely chopped red and/or green bell pepper to taste

12-oz. can corn, drained (I like Mexicorn - then don't need the  bell peppers)

     Mash cheese with a fork, adding other ingredients and stir well.  Chill and serve with vegetables to dip into it (can be thinned with the reserved corn juice, if necessary) .... ** Use unusual veggies to dip:  snow peas, jicama, green beans, in addition to broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers, carrots

Answer 2

Excuse my lack of quantities, but I don't really have a written recipe for this one.  Each tortilla makes about 4 - 5 zuni rolls and uses about 6 slices of turkey, 2 slices of bacon, small handful of scallions and Havarti cheese.....I dunno how many you're having over your house for dinner, so you can use the guideline above.

Zuni Rolls w/ Raspberry Chipotle Dipping Sauce

Large flour tortillas

Chopped green onions

Thinly sliced smoked turkey breast (lunch meat style)

Chopped crisy bacon

Diced Havarti cheese

Raspberry chipotle sauce - you can make this from scratch, but I recently started buying it at the grocery store and its very good.  Look in the BBQ sauce section or latin foods section near the salsas.

To prepare:

Lay a tortilla flat on the counter

Lay 5 -6 slices of the sliced turkey breast all around evenly

Evenly sprinkle the chopped bacon, Havarti, and scallions

Roll up tortilla tighly

Spray some Pam on a hot griddle, lay the roll seam side down, grill it for a few minutes on each side until lightly golden

Remove from griddle, put off to the side seam side down, and repeat above steps with another tortilla.

Once you've grilled a few of them, using a sharp knife (not a serrated one because that will rip the roll apart) cut diagonally into 1-2" pieces - just like cutting a sushi roll, but on a bias.  Each one should yield 4-5 rolls.

Answer 3

Scotch Eggs

4 Medium Eggs, hard boiled

Plain flour

275 Gram Sausagemeat (10 oz)

1 Egg, beaten

Breadcrumbs

Deep fat or oil, for frying

Method

Peel the eggs and dust with flour. Coat each with 50-75g (2-3 oz) sausagemeat, keeping it in a good shape.

Brush with beaten egg, coat with breadcrumbs and fry in deep fat for about 7 minutes. Drain well and allow to cool. Serve cut in halves or quarters with salad or as part of a cold buffet.

Answer 4

Smoked salmon and advocado went down well at a posh nosh i went to last christmas...cant remember too much about the layout though, ...cos somebody forced a load of wine down my throat!...but im sure somebody on here will know how to prepare it?...

Answer 5

How about some tapenaude...

Kalamata olives

Sundried Tomatos

Parm

Olive oil

pulse in food processor and serve with baguettes and crackers

it is a fav of my friends in our supper club

Answer 6

if they dont like oysters you might want to reconsider your entree, maybe serve chicken or something.  Mussles and oysters are pretty similar.

Answer 7

do a pickle plate with an array of pickles, olives and some pate...then serve stuff mushrooms in an escargot dish

Answer 8

procuitto wrapped asparagus

Answer 9

sliced vienna sausages, on a saltine, with a smidge of honey mustard, ketchup, or horseradish, and a sprig of parsely

Answer 10

I think you have to go formal with the appetizer - no dips!  Shrimp cocktail was mentioned but since you have seafood entree I would do something like cheese or spinach phyllo triangles or mini beef wellingtons with a plate of assorted cheeses and fruit.

Answer 11

shrimp cocktail

Answer 12

get clamata olives, sundried tomatoes, olive oil, and cilantro. blend together to make tapenade and serve with crackers.