|
Where is it written that you must
have filet mignon, salmon mousse, and chocolate-dipped strawberries at
your wedding reception? Some of the best food to serve at your party is
actually the most economical - ethnic cuisine. Because most of these
foods are prepared in large quantities, your price per head may drop and your guests will have a ball noshing filling, fun food at the
buffet.
If you live in a large urban area, there's almost unlimited ethnic choices
available to you. But no matter where you live, in the city or in the
country, chances are there's a Mexican, Chinese, or Italian place nearby
that will be happy to cater your wedding. If you or your to-be-wed have
roots in a different culture, this is a great way to incorporate your
background into your big day, you might even have relatives who are
willing to cook up the feast for you! Here are some favorites:
CHINESE
Serve egg rolls, dumplings as appetizers, and move on to a buffet of fried
and white rice, different kinds of cold and hot noodles, and entrees like
Szechwan (Sichuan) chicken and vegetables. Put a bowl of fortune cookies
(look for fortune-cookie favors that you can put your names inside!) on
each table. Decorate with lots of red -- the Chinese wedding color.
EASTERN EUROPEAN
If you're Polish, Czech, or Russian, consider a meat-and-potatoes
reception, complete with potato knishes, pierogis (pictured at right), and pastries. Offer
caviar and chilled vodka shots as a special hors d'oeuvres treats, and do
some folk dancing after you eat!
ETHIOPIAN
A less-traveled culinary road. Serve a huge spread of spicy vegetables,
eggs, meats, and sauces that you eat by spooning everything up with pieces
of spongy bread. Guests will be sure to remember what they ate at your
wedding!
INDIAN
Serve vegetable and banana fritters as hors d'oeuvres, plus vegetarian,
chicken, and beef curry along with generous platters of rice on each
table. Tandoori chicken will satisfy guests who aren't into spicy food.
Various kinds of breads fill out the meal. Dress up tables with colorful,
exotic linens.
ITALIAN
Who doesn't love pasta? Serve it at a pasta bar where guests can choose
their sauce: marinara, pesto, bolognese, etc. Add big salads and antipasto
and you've got a feast! Put bottles of Chianti on each table, and serve
cannolis (pictured at left) and other pastries for dessert, along with cappuccino and
espresso.
MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK
Think lamb, chicken, hummus and pita, peppers, onions, and olives. Guests
who don't usually eat "ethnic" will certainly recognize the
shish kebobs! You can also decorate Middle Eastern: drape gauzy muslin
cloth everywhere, and put potted palms in corners.
MEXICAN
Fajitas and tacos are always crowd pleasers. Set up food stations where
guests can make their own. Put plates of chips and salsa on every table.
Rice and beans can be served buffet-style. Another great dish is the
"seven-layer" dip, which consists of layers of beans, guacamole,
sour cream, and cheese, topped off with olives. And instead of champagne,
serve margaritas. To complete the evening, serve flan or Mexican wedding
cookies in addition to wedding cake.
SPANISH
Tapas (pictured at right), small appetizer-size dishes that are served several a time for a
festive "tasting," lend themselves beautifully to a
dinner-by-the-bite wedding buffet. Also serve heaping bowls of paella (a
mixture of rice, meat, vegetables, and seafood) and arroz con pollo
(chicken and rice flavored with saffron), with sangria to drink. Give
guests fans as favors, and play some romantic Spanish music!
THAI
A tasteful appetizer: chicken and pork satay (skewers of meat dipped in
peanut sauce). Serve heaping dishes of Pad Thai and chicken and beef-based
vegetable dishes spiced with ginger and lemongrass, coconut-based curries,
and sticky rice. Creamy, sweet Thai iced teas will make kids and adults
alike happy. |
