Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

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.

I would do apps: the hommus and pita (I’d buy the hommus from a ME place- the consistency it always better) and the zucchini fritters
Mains: the lamb, the fish, the lentils, maybe some Arabic rice (add that to the hommus order)

Dessert: fresh fruit, Swedish almond cake. Here me out…it is light and air, creme/custard filled and not very sweet. Middle Eastern desserts often have similarities to European desserts. I make this for my Middle East family and everyone loves it. It is super easy but does take some planning since the cake and filling both have to be cooked and cooked before assembly then it has to refrigerate several hours once assembled- but hands on time is minimal and not complicated.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-zR47NYqo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

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.

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.

All American.

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!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

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.

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.

All American.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

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.

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.

Yasaman Bakery in Rockville has amazing desserts

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a Middle Eastern dinner recently and served this as dessert:

https://www.chefsouschef.com/chocolate-flourless-cake/

For drinks:

Old fashioned with date syrup
https://www.naturaldelights.com/recipes/old-fashioned-cocktail-with-medjool-date-syrup

Rosewater Pomegranate Champagne cocktail
https://www.easycookingwithmolly.com/2018/02/skinny-rosewater-pomegranate-champagne-cocktail/

All this looks great! Now my problem is narrowing down the drink options. Great suggestions.

How did you find the cake? I find some flourless cakes too dense.

The tahini helps cut the sweetness but it's definitely a dense cake. It worked well with the dinner because a small thin slice was enough to satisfy a sweet ending to the meal without feeling like you just had a huge.heavy dessert.

Karak tea

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

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.

Anonymous wrote:Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

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

Dolmas/grape leaves are available in abundance at Wegmans.

Anonymous wrote:I did a Middle Eastern dinner recently and served this as dessert:

https://www.chefsouschef.com/chocolate-flourless-cake/

For drinks:

Old fashioned with date syrup
https://www.naturaldelights.com/recipes/old-fashioned-cocktail-with-medjool-date-syrup

Rosewater Pomegranate Champagne cocktail
https://www.easycookingwithmolly.com/2018/02/skinny-rosewater-pomegranate-champagne-cocktail/

All this looks great! Now my problem is narrowing down the drink options. Great suggestions.

How did you find the cake? I find some flourless cakes too dense.

I did a Middle Eastern dinner recently and served this as dessert:

https://www.chefsouschef.com/chocolate-flourless-cake/

For drinks:

Old fashioned with date syrup
https://www.naturaldelights.com/recipes/old-fashioned-cocktail-with-medjool-date-syrup

Rosewater Pomegranate Champagne cocktail
https://www.easycookingwithmolly.com/2018/02/skinny-rosewater-pomegranate-champagne-cocktail/

Anonymous wrote:Here are two suggestions that would work well with your menu:

https://www.seriouseats.com/marrakesh-express-pomegranate-mezcal-cocktail-with-harissa

https://www.adeenasussman.com/almondy-vodka-limonana

I really love the mezcal suggestion here! I am personally digging mezcal negronis right now, but I didn't think that would go with the menu. I might try this!

Here are two suggestions that would work well with your menu:

https://www.seriouseats.com/marrakesh-express-pomegranate-mezcal-cocktail-with-harissa

https://www.adeenasussman.com/almondy-vodka-limonana

Anonymous wrote:Something pomegranate flavored for the cocktail.

And I am voting dolmas because they are one of my very favorite foods, not that you asked.

They're a little time intensive but I love them, too! Your vote is noted!