Anonymous wrote:OP, I would enjoy your spread. But I do agree it's a lot of foodie items. If your book club is like that (others also serve foodie items) then go for it. But if others are opening a box of ritz to go with sliced cheddar blocks from the grocery store, then I'd dial it back.

+1

OP, I would enjoy your spread. But I do agree it's a lot of foodie items. If your book club is like that (others also serve foodie items) then go for it. But if others are opening a box of ritz to go with sliced cheddar blocks from the grocery store, then I'd dial it back.

I try to match the snacks to the book (ex. English tea for a book set in London) but nothing too elaborate. Little sandwiches, a veggie tray & dip, cheese and crackers, something sweet, a variety of drinks. In my case, book club isn’t at a meal time so no one expects more than snacks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I now feel pretty embarrassed.
I was just trying to be creative for a foodie crowd.

Foodies want high quality food, not weird combinations that are "creative." Get high quality cheeses, two types of nuts, organic strawberries, whatever other fruit is in season where you live, some veggies and good quality dip, and two types of crackers. Then get some good quality chocolates (nothing made in the US). You can do ONE low brow food item, like pigs in a blanket.

Bingo.

Anonymous wrote:
There’s nothing low brow about pigs in a blanket.

It's mini hot dogs and dough from a tube. Please.

Anonymous wrote: I’d eat that over your weird cheeses and sardines any day of the week!

Goat cheese is "weird". Wait until PP discovers how those hot dogs are made.

You’re punking us, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I now feel pretty embarrassed.
I was just trying to be creative for a foodie crowd.

Foodies want high quality food, not weird combinations that are "creative." Get high quality cheeses, two types of nuts, organic strawberries, whatever other fruit is in season where you live, some veggies and good quality dip, and two types of crackers. Then get some good quality chocolates (nothing made in the US). You can do ONE low brow food item, like pigs in a blanket.

There’s nothing low brow about pigs in a blanket. I’d eat that over your weird cheeses and sardines any day of the week!

Anonymous wrote:Well, I now feel pretty embarrassed.
I was just trying to be creative for a foodie crowd.

Foodies want high quality food, not weird combinations that are "creative." Get high quality cheeses, two types of nuts, organic strawberries, whatever other fruit is in season where you live, some veggies and good quality dip, and two types of crackers. Then get some good quality chocolates (nothing made in the US). You can do ONE low brow food item, like pigs in a blanket.

What is the book?

Is the menu on topic?

Anonymous wrote:I am hosting a new book club this weekend and the crowd consists of many top-tier cooks. The point is the book, of course, but I also want to provide delicious snacks (each guest is bringing a drink). Ten people are coming.

On my menu:

Anchovies and sardines on toast points
Crabmeat dip in a Frito bowl
Grape, goat cheese, and walnut cups
Bone broth shooters
Lamb meatballs in brandy cherry sauce, served with toothpicks
Homemade chocolate chip cookies

This is actually too much work. Do crab dip in a bowl and grapes, cheese and nuts on a board. Add sliced baguette or crackers (for both the dip and the cheese). I'd probably skip the toast points and shooters (even tho I like them both it's just getting a little hodgepodge). Keep lamb balls and cookies. yummy
What's your book?!

This menu is schizophrenic. Fritos and bone broth don't belong on the same menu.

I love crabmeat dip and Fritos but I don't think they're complimentary flavors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you serve me anchovies and bone broth I’m not coming back.

+1
Anchovies, BONE broth (tastes gamey), lamb and goat cheese and seafood/shellfish are all very controversial.
Do you need ideas? Yes, the answer is yes, you need ideas.

Very controversial for the forum that regards salt as the devils mineral.

I love salt.
I'm allergic to fish and shellfish.
I dislike lamb and goat cheese.

I would happily eat salty bacon, chips, chinese food loaded with MSG.
So don't blame this problematic menu on salt. It's just terrible food choices by OP.

Not all people are allergic to fish and shellfish.

Seriously what a stupid reason to criticize these menu choices.

Fish and shellfish are very controversial as a menu item. Lots of people don't eat them, for a variety of reasons.

Lots of people can’t eat dairy. It doesn’t make cheese a “terrible food choice” by default as pp insinuated.

It’s only bad if you are serving contrary to your guests preferences. I don’t get the impression that ops guests are picky eaters.

Try this:

TJs feta/onion cups, but before you bake them top with a little tiny bit of fig jam: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/pastry-bites-feta-cheese-caramelized-onions-001026

Little skewers with a marinated mozzarella ball and a cherry tomato or two (get the three color ones and each will be a little different), drizzle with olive oil (literally the Drizzle Graza brand, available at Whole Foods and some other stores) and some thick balsamic or balsamic glaze, and crushed red pepper

Anchoves are fine but look up a creative way to serve them that appeals to people

Your meatballs sound fine

Consider getting Soupergirl gazpacho - you can serve shooters of this. Do something fun like this https://thecrumbykitchen.com/gazpacho-recipe/ (I would put the toast balanced on the top or on the side.)

Order mini Georgetown cupcakes or have some beautiful chocolates.

Probably an additional fruit/veggie/cheese plate.

Anonymous wrote:Well, I now feel pretty embarrassed.
I was just trying to be creative for a foodie crowd.

Ignore them.

Get feedback from you guests. Offer suggestions to them a get feedback. Food is personal. Get preferences and your menu will be enjoyable. Anchovies remind me of South Italy. I would approve. Just make sure they a decent quality.

If you are serving DCUM, serve Chick-Fil-A. Make sure it’s reheated several times. Serve with a side of wallpaper paste.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you serve me anchovies and bone broth I’m not coming back.

+1
Anchovies, BONE broth (tastes gamey), lamb and goat cheese and seafood/shellfish are all very controversial.
Do you need ideas? Yes, the answer is yes, you need ideas.

Very controversial for the forum that regards salt as the devils mineral.

I love salt.
I'm allergic to fish and shellfish.
I dislike lamb and goat cheese.

I would happily eat salty bacon, chips, chinese food loaded with MSG.
So don't blame this problematic menu on salt. It's just terrible food choices by OP.

Not all people are allergic to fish and shellfish.

Seriously what a stupid reason to criticize these menu choices.

Fish and shellfish are very controversial as a menu item. Lots of people don't eat them, for a variety of reasons.

And many people do: poke, sushi, shrimp cocktail, crab dip, etc.