Reply to Thoughts on a cocktail and dessert for a middle-eastern menu? Or the rest of the menu?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans. [/quote]

Homemade is so much better.  I would not get these store bought unless it was from a specific Middle Eastern market.  I believe OP is making them.  I would keep them vegetarian since you already have a lot of meat on the menu.

Honestly, you are having a lot of food.  I would like date some nicely arranged cut fruit and really good dates for dessert.  That is what you you typically get in a Middle Eastern home anyhow.  Plus coffee/tea[/quote]

Thanks for this feedback. Yes, I would make them at home. I often get supermarket ones to satisfy my craving but I'm usually disappointed.

I appreciate your feedback on the amount of food and editing the menu. I would do the dolmas if I didn't do the lamb kofte. I was thinking something with meat in the apps might be good since all the other apps are vegetarian. Which is why I was leaning toward meat-stuffed dolmas. What do you think? But perhaps I just do two...hummus/pita and another. I just happen to like the zucchini fritters more than dolmas.

And I hear you on the dessert. I'm not a big dessert person myself but I think our friends, not to mention my husband (ha), would appreciate a more traditional dessert course...traditional by U.S. standards, I mean.[/quote]

Well, where are your guests from? Are they Turkish, ME? Or US? I only ask to asses the expectations. My DH and family are from the Middle East. WE always do big spreads when family is over - like you mentioned above - but for dessert it is mainly fruits (lots), lighter cakes (think creme filled instead of chocolate), tea, coffee, etc. We're not big on the desserts so that's usually pretty light. [/quote]

All American.[/quote]

If that's the case, I'd say pick up baklawa from a good bakery to add to the table next to plenty of fruits and whatever cake or creme you decide. I also like the suggestion of the pomegranate cocktail (which I actually did at my wedding w/ rum) to compliment. There are a ton of options online for that.

To make your life easier, you may consider buying the hummus and fresh bread at bakery to focus on the other items. Not sure where you live but we love the fresh bread/Hummus at the mediterranean bakery in Alexandria. Dolma/grape leaves are so labor intensive that it may take up most of your time, but they are definitely worth it. If you do make it, include the meat bc it's usually at the bottom of the pan and gives the whole thing great flavor. The kafta/yogurt sound lovely, and kafta is easier to prepare for guests. Add in some rice (ME/Turkish style), and the plates of mezze/veg (cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, cheese, carrots in lemon juice, nuts, etc.)

Have a great time![/quote]

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