Mediterranean Winter Buffet
Immerse yourself in a culinary trip to the sun-drenched world of the Mediterranean! Colorful and bold ingredients will dazzle your eyes and tantalize taste buds. Take your time to savor this meal, just as people along the Mediterranean would!
Make It Special!
Mediterranean Food Flair
Splurge on several cheeses from the Mediterranean to set the tone of your event. Consult a gourmet cheese shop or a large supermarket with a good cheese selection.
Make your own Marvelous Chocolate Truffles or visit a high-quality chocolate store to adorn the Chocolate Truffles Topiary. Use the topiary for decorating the buffet as well as for its indulgent treats. Make numerous topiaries of several heights for decorating the buffet table. Place a truffle in a plastic bag and tie with ribbon for a take-home sweet.
Make espresso or strong coffee, and pass warm cream or whipped cream. Offer spiced sugar as another accoutrement.
Use pottery accessories to reflect the distinctive pottery of the Mediterranean. Don't worry if pieces don't match.
Activities
- Rent foreign films to view.
- Discuss the popular Italian books available at most bookstores.
- Share photos and stories of Mediterranean travel, or plan a group Mediterranean trip.
- Play Italian music.
- Borrow from a library if you don't have any.
Preparation Guide
The Marinated Roasted Peppers, Olives and Cheese, the Mediterranean Onion Tart and cheese and crackers can be enjoyed with the Coral Coolers before the actual buffet meal.
Up to 2 Months Before
- Make Orange-Almond Biscotti; store tightly covered in freezer.
Up to 2 Weeks Before
- Make Marinated Roasted Peppers, Olives and Cheese; store in refrigerator.
The Day Before
- Make Chocolate Truffles Topiary.
- Remove biscotti from freezer.
About 8 Hours Before Serving
- Make Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken.
About 7 Hours Before Serving
- Make Slow Cooker Mediterranean Pot Roast.
The Morning Of
- Wash Boston lettuce for Artichoke-Asparagus Salad; cover and refrigerate. Prepare marinated veggies for salad; cover and refrigerate.
- Clean grapes; refrigerate.
About 2 Hours Before Guests Arrive
- Make Mediterranean Onion Tart up to the point of baking; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Bake potatoes and garlic for Garlic Smashed Potatoes.
About 15 Minutes Before Guests Arrive
- Bake the onion tart.
- Make Coral Coolers
About 20 Minutes Before Serving Dinner
- Heat rolls, if desired.
- Complete salad.
Just Before Serving Dinner