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Holidays & Entertaining

Talk about traditional family favorites, seasonal foods, party themes and throwing that next fabulous party.

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Luau...of sorts

hi there!  having a luau of sorts memorial day weekend...looking for easy ideas for food.  will likely be about 50 people (mostly 20-something year old guys).  hoping to get a bunch of ideas for finger foods/snacks that can be made in advance.  (and praying they'll make the drive safely up to the catskills!  haha!!)

i appreciate your help!!

Wink

4/22/2008 9:38 AM
6 Replies to Luau...of sorts

I don't know much about Luaus, except that they used to have pigs roasted on a spit.  Well, how about a modern day snack shortcut?  Try Pigs in a Blanket - it's a great finger food and to help keep it in the theme of things, you could come up with some hawaiian inspired dipping sauces. 

I like to use the little pre-cooked sausages that are in the lunchmeat section.  I think they're called Little Smokies by Hillshire Farm and they may come in various blends/flavors.  

The other item you will need are those refrigerated packages of crescent rolls sold in tubes.

Open up your tube of crescent rolls and sub-divide each triangle, using a knife, into 3 long, thin triangles.  Take one of the little sausages and start at the end opposite of the point - put the sausage along that same edge and roll it up in the crescent roll, rolling towards the point.  You'll notice that the edges of the sausage stick out - that's OK!  Now, just bake them in the oven, with times similar to the time/temp required for the crescent rolls - keep en eye on the first batch to get the time that works best in your oven.  I go for a medium brown on mine to make sure the thickest part of the dough is cooked.  You can make the roll ups in advance and just pop them in the oven when you're ready.  These go fast!

4/22/2008 7:27 PM
Okay...these individual meat pies can be made ahead of time, and microwaved as needed.  They're pretty yummy and have always been a hit with adults and kids alike when I've made them.  I know that they are not "Luaish" but guys in their 20's will love them.  If you want to make it more "Hawaiian"... you could substitue chopped ham for the sausage (or SPAM if you're adventurous) and substitute pinapple for the bell pepper and then saute it with onion.   

Breakfast Pies 

Serves 10

 

3/4 pound breakfast sausage

1/8 cup frozen chopped onion

1/8 cup minced green bell pepper

1 (12 ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough

3 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

 

 Directions

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

 

2) In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, combine sausage, onion and green pepper. Cook until sausage is evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside. 

 

3) Separate the dough into 10 individual biscuits. Flatten  each biscuit out, then line the bottom and sides of 10 muffin cups. Evenly distribute sausage mixture between the cups. Mix together the eggs and milk, and divide between the cups.  I use my turkey baster to suck the egg mixture out of the bowl, and then I squirt it over the sausage. This works great, and not nearly as messy as trying to pour the mixture into each muffin cup.

4) Sprinkle tops with shredded cheese.

 

5) Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until filling is set.

 For a drive, I suggest wrapping them up in foil or put them in a big tupperware container and keep them cool as I have no idea how far you're drive is.  Hope this helps! 
4/22/2008 7:52 PM

The number one food for 20 something guys: Sandwhiches.  I recommend that you go to your local warehouse type grocery store and get 3 of their large bags of small french bread loaves. They look like the rolls that are used for foot long sandwhiches, except they are small. I make miniature meatball sandwhiches with cheese of course and all the guys at our church picnics LOVE them! For a luau I would make BBQ, pork or beef brisket. These are very easy to make. wrap them in aluminum foil (individually) and put them on the fire pit to reheat. I cook my pork roasts (always the least expensive meat) in the crock pot in water and spices like garlic and onion, and a little ceyenne pepper if you like a little spice. Drain the water off the meat when it is done ( you should be able to shed it) and mix in either your own bbq sauce or your favorite bottled sauce. slice the small rolls with just a small slit in the center and stuff with meat and cheese. roll in foil. If you are doinf the beef i recommend beef brisket ( cost is deffinately higher than pork). Play around with the spices you like. Remember to have fun, you don't want to be too exhausted to enjoy your party.  Another thing I like to do is cut large potatos into wedges and roll them in olive oil and fresh garlic onion powder chilli powder and salt and rost them in the oven. These too travel well and you can re-heat them in foil over the fire pit. You can spice them up or down. you can even use this same recipe for tater skins, just scoop out the tater and season them up. I hope you have a ball at your party. Be safe.

Life is like a recipe, it can not be called your own till you mix it up a bit.
4/23/2008 11:03 AM
These are always a hit! 
Jalapeno Poppers

10 jalapenos
8 oz. cream cheese
10 strips bacon

Slice peppers in half lengthwise. Wearing gloves, remove seeds and membranes. Stuff cream cheese inside each pepper half. Spiral wrap each half with a half slice of bacon. Place on a broiler pan and bake in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until the bacon is done. These can be frozen before baking.

 

Nothing is easier than buying a bag of frozen meatballs, a package of cocktail wieners or a couple of lbs of smoked sausage and throwing them in a crock pot with sauce.  Here are some sauce ideas.  Just combine sauce ingredients and pour over meat.  Cook on low heat.  Plain old BBQ sauce is good, too.

Meatball Sauce
16 oz jar grape jelly
12 oz jar chili sauce

Meatball Sauce
1 12 oz. bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vinegar

Meatball Sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 Cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 tsp prepared mustard

Meatball Sauce
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. apricot preserves
1 c. honey barbecue sauce
1 small jar of chunky applesauce

Meatball Sauce
1 cup applesauce
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 small onion, finely chopped 

Meatball Sauce
1 16 Oz Canned Cranberry Sauce
1 12 Oz. Bottle Chili Sauce
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

 

 

These are great stuffed with tuna salad or chicken salad, too.
Stuffed Tomatoes

16 - 18 cherry tomatoes
1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/4 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Cut a thin slice off of each tomato top. Scoop out pulp. Invert the tomatoes on a paper towel to drain. Combine remaining ingredients. Thin with a little mayo if needed. Spoon into tomatoes.

 

 

These only look complicated.  They are really very easy and are great with or without the pecans, and with or without the cheese/crumb topping. 
Sausage Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms

12 button mushrooms
1/2 lb sausage
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
4 to 6 drops hot sauce
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp fine dry bread crumbs

1. Remove stems from mushrooms. Clean mushrooms with slightly damp paper towel. Use a melon baller and knife to hollow out the insides.
2. Crumble, cook and drain sausage.
3. Combine sausage, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, salt, pepper, hot sauce and pecans. Stir in all but 2 tbsp of Parmesan.
4. Brush mushrooms all over with melted butter.
5. Stuff mushrooms. Mound filling then flatten the top so bread crumb/cheese topping will stay on.
6. Combine bread crumbs and 2 tbsp Parmesan and sprinkle over stuffing.
7. Place mushrooms on a wire rack on a baking sheet or on broiler pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

 

 

This is a great make-ahead and freeze before baking appetizer.  Again, it only looks complicated.  I make hundreds of these each year with different fillings.
Spanakopita

1/2 cup onions, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach - thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 egg, lightly beaten
8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
8 oz cream cheese, softened
20 sheets 9x14 phyllo dough, thawed
1 cup butter, melted

1. Combine onions, garlic, spinach, egg and cheeses in a bowl and mix well.

2. Unroll dough on flat surface. Cover dough with a sheet of plastic wrap, then lay a damp dish towel on plastic wrap. This will keep dough from drying out and becoming brittle while you are making triangles.

3. Lay one sheet of dough on flat surface with the short side nearest you. Brush entire sheet with melted butter. Top with another sheet and butter. Cut sheets into 3 long 3"x14" strips. Place 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of spinach cheese mixture about 1 inch from the end of strip. Fold one corner of the dough over the mixture, forming a triangle. Gently press to slightly flatten and evenly distribute the spinach mixture. Continue folding triangle end over end, like a flag. Place triangle on cookie sheet, seam side down. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.

4. Repeat step 3 until finished. Brush tops of each triangle with melted butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes. Makes 30 very flaky triangles. Best when served immediately.
*Triangles can be made ahead and frozen before baking.
**Do not cover or wrap triangles in plastic wrap or foil after baking while they are still hot or even warm. It will make them soggy.

Alternate fillings:

Savory Mushroom
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounce can mushrooms, chopped
2 tablespoon chopped onions
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Tomato Mushroom
1 lb fresh mushrooms, chopped finely
1/4 cup sliced green onions
8 oz cream cheese
1 tsp pepper|
8 oz sun-dried tomatoes

 

 

Everyone loves fresh veggies with ranch dressing dip.  Also fresh fruit.  Here's a great dip.
Fruit Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 small jar marshmallow creme
1 teaspoon almond extract
8 oz Cool Whip

Combine cheese, creme and extract. Fold in Cool Whip.

 

 

This is a favorite.
Farrar's Texas Caviar

2 cans black-eye peas (drained)
2 cans Rotel w/ green chilies
2 cans shoe peg corn (drained)
3 tomatoes chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp garlic salt
chopped parsley
black pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 large bottle Italian dressing

Mix all above and refrigerate 8-12 hours. Serve with Tostito Scoops.

 

 

Chicken Bites

Just 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts will make a ton of bite sized chicken pieces. I cube them, put them in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper then drizzle with oil and toss until coated.  Roll them, a few at a time in panko bread crumbs.  Fry in hot oil just a few minutes until golden.

Instead of coating with oil, you can dip them in frothy egg whites before rolling in crumb mixture.

You can also coat them with crushed buttery crackers, crushed cornflakes, seasoned dry breadcrumbs and pan fry them in oil/butter.  If you don't like to fry food, they are good baked at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. 

Sometimes I add minced pecans, sesame seeds or grated Parmesan cheese to the crumbs.  Serve with toothpicks and dipping sauce.

Creamy Chili Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chili sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Honey Mustard Sauce

1/2 cup mustard
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup mayo

 

 

SWEET CHICKEN BACON WRAPS by Paula Deen

1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken
1 pound package sliced bacon
2/3c brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 Tbs chili powder

Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes.
Cut each piece of bacon in half,stir together brown sugar and chili powder.Wrap chicken in the bacon and dredge in brown sugar mixture.Place them on a cookie sheet.(spray with cooking spray) and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

 

For a "luau" type dish, omit the onions and stir in 2-3 tbsp crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits.
Ham Roll-Ups

1 pkg sliced ham
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2-3 green onions, minced

Combine cream cheese and onions. Spread mixture on ham and roll up from the long side. Refrigerate until firm then slice into bite sized pieces.
I wipe the moisture off each slice of ham with a paper towel. It makes it easier to spread the cream cheese.

 

Bacon or Sausage Wheels

8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled or 1/2 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled
6 mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 can crescent rolls
8 oz cream cheese, softened

Combine bacon or sausage, mushrooms, mayonnaise and garlic powder.
Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles and press seams to seal.
Spread 1/4 of cream cheese over each rectangle. Spread 1/4 of bacon or sausage mixture over cream cheese.
Roll dough, jellyroll stlye, starting with long side. Press seams to seal. Cut rolls into 1/2 inch slices and place cut side down on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 9 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

 

 

These are easy and so good.  Can be made ahead, cooked and frozen, then reheated.

Bacon Crisps by Paula Deen

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound sliced bacon -- cut in half
1 sleeve Waverly Wafers or other buttery crackers

Preheat the oven to 250F.
Place 1 teaspoon of the cheese on each cracker and wrap tightly with a strip of bacon (no toothpick required!).
Place the wrapped crackers on a broiler rack on a baking sheet and put the baking sheet on the oven rack; bake for 2 hours, or until the bacon is done.  Do not turn.  Drain on paper towels.  Serve hot or at room temperature.
These can be frozen after they're cooked.
Place the frozen crisps on a baking sheet and reheat them for 5 minutes in a 350F oven.

4/25/2008 11:39 PM

had a luau year before last..fabulous.  had bunch of fruit in a pineapple, and some in a regular bowl (mine was soaked in pineapple rum....delicious), grilled out (chicken, burgers, hotdogs, brats), chips.  we had people bring food also, beans, potato salad.  hard to remember all of it, but that is the most of it. 

5/15/2008 3:35 PM

Wow! This is quite a list! Thanks for sharing all of these helpful recipes.

5/18/2009 1:44 PM

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