Entertaining on a budget
 
 

Caters are great folks, they can make the simplest food look wonderful. Professional wedding and party coordinators save lots of headaches. However many of simply can't afford these folks! So with this in mind, here are some ideas, tips and tricks for doing it yourself, but having it look like a pro did it for you.
One of the first rules of "Do it Yourself Parties" is remember presentation is EVERYTHING! It's the little things that make the big difference. 

If you are using silver servers, don't destroy it with stainless tongs or spoons.


Fresh fruit is often a favorite and very inexpensive to do.

If you have never carved fruit, not worry. It's one of those things that look harder than it is. Also if something does go wrong, the fruit will also look great in a glass/crystal footed bowl. The one pictured was the show piece of the hors d'oeuvre  table at a wedding reception.

To make this arrangement you will need: 1 nice looking oval watermelon, 2 large cantaloupes, 1 large honeydew, 1 pineapple, 1 quart strawberries, 5 kiwi, a can orange slices, 1 bunch purple or red grapes, 1 bunch white grapes, 2 bananas, 4 cups sugar, 5 egg whites, water, shredded coconut and large lettuce leafs for garnish

This project may be started up to 24 hours in advance, but no later than 12 hours. Melons may be done up to 24 hours in advance, however the later you do them the better they will look.

First thing is frost your grapes! Then carve and ball melons. Peel and chuck kiwi. Cut strawberries either in half or quarters depending on size. Carve pineapple. Don't cut bananas until the very last moment!

The little tricks:
If having to transport, carry watermelon in a roasting pan. Always lift from the bottom, never by the handle.
Pineapple needs to be transported on large trays or cookie sheets.
Don't allow the grapes to come in contact with moisture, don't place in refrigerator.
If you will be short on time, do grapes and melons the night/day before. Place balls and juice in melon and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Store in refrigerator.
 
How to carve a watermelon basket:
1. Chill melon (very important)
2. Draw cut lines with marker
3. Cut handle lines first.
4. Carefully cut bottom lines, up to the handle cuts.
5. Gently remove quarter pieces.
6. Hollow melon with melon baller, leaving approximately an 1" wall.
7. Place balls and juice in bowl. 
8. If you lines aren't straight, or you wish a fancier look. Cut out triangles from edge.

How to carve pineapple:
1. Cut length ways with very sharp, large knife.
2. If pineapple is ripe, it will cut easily, however be very careful the top.
3. Using a small melon baller, hollow pineapple (leaving approximately 3/4 of an inch wall.
4. Place pineapple balls and juice in bowl.

Frosted grapes:
Rinse grapes and allow to air dry.
Place egg whites in bowl, whisk in 1 tablespoon of water.
Place sugar in shallow dish
Roll grapes in egg whites, lift and allow excess to drip off.
Gently roll grapes in sugar.
Place on wire rack to dry, 12 to 24 hours

Putting it all together:

Cover a large tray with rinsed lettuce leafs
Place water melon across back of tray.
Fill with watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew balls
Place pineapple halves at 45o angle
Fill pineapple with kiwi, strawberries, orange slices, pineapple balls, and banana slices.
Place grapes in middle
Sprinkle pineapples with coconut
 
 

If you want something a little simpler, most any fruit can be sliced and arranged on a platter to look great. However remember most many fruits will brown quickly. If you won't have time at the last minute to prepare, dip fruit in a lemon juice and water mixture, or a commercial product like "Fruit Fresh".

Fruit dip - The little extra that makes the difference is the dip for the fruit. While whipped cream is an old stand by, the following recipes works well, is easy to make, and can be done ahead of time.

Mix equal parts of marshmallow cream and cream cheese (room temperature). Mix well on low speed. If preparing ahead of time store in refrigerator.

Finger sandwiches - Are another old stand by. While many times they are done on bread with the crust removed. Try cutting them with a large cookie cutter. At a wedding reception I did recently I used a large heart shaped cookie cutter, than cut each in half. Don't forget to garnish!

Tips and tricks:
If using a meat salad filling, remember the dryier the better. Moist fillings must be done at the last moment, to prevent bread from becoming soggy.

Garnish with: sliced stuffed green olives, sliced black olives, pickles, parsley, sliced hard boiled eggs

Fillings: various meat spreads, cheese spreads, deli cut meats
 

haystackes, chocolate prezzles, jelloOne of the greatest inventions was Jell-O, many times we forget about it's many advantages. Easy, looks pretty, and offers something light and but yet sweet. The one at the left came off looking like a master piece in real life, and was used as the center piece on the desert table.

How it was done: Two boxes of red, green, yellow, and blue. Each mixed as directed, poured into square or rectangle dishes, and chilled. When firm cut into 1 inch squares. Take your large clear bowl, cover bottom with whipped cream, then stack one color of your Jell-O on top (make sure Jell-O is touching sides of bowl). Cover Jell-O with another layer of whipped cream, then the next color of Jell-O. Continue until all is used, top with whipped cream. For an extra touch place a couple of small plastic Christmas decorations on top. By the way you can do a small version of this using parfait glasses.

Haystacks, cost a few cents more to make, but make a nice treat. While the recipe calls for "butterscotch morsels" I've been known to use the butterscotch flavored almond bark. ;-)

chocolate cake & cherry pieChocolate cake with a twist - Grab a box of cake mix, use cold coffee in place of water. Place bottom layer on platter, cover with canned cherry pie filling, cover cherries with icing. Place top layer, finish icing cake, place remaining pie filling around top edges allowing to run down sides.

If you have an extra hour, make a fruit pie, however  when doing the top crust, cut out pieces using a small cookie cutter. Brush each piece with a pastry brush dipped in water to attach. After covering pie, brush with lightly beaten egg white.