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Office Party Report
#12912
09/25/2010 05:11 PM
09/25/2010 05:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Central Florida!
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This is my report on our office party which we held this past Thursday evening. Our local Chamber of Commerce holds an office open house at one of the local businesses every month or two, and this time was our turn! Since I blathered on about the thing for months, I thought it was only fair to report on how it went, along with pictures. I owe a big debt of gratitude to the numerous TTOL members who gave me recipe suggestions and advice! Thanks much!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> We had approximately 40 people show up for the party, which was certainly a reasonable turn out, for our small town. Most all of the recipes here were recommended by TTOL members. I prepared ALL the food and designed and prepared all the platters. Eric helped immeasurably by doing most of my cutting and chopping and measuring of vegetables and fruits and other ingredients, by carving the cantaloupes and the shrimp boat and by doing the all around heavy lifting. Here is a picture of us before the party actually started, with most of the food in place. I had a couple of ladies who helped me with the serving, making sure the platters remained filled, drinks in place, garbage policed and doing general clean up afterwards. Unfortunately, I didn’t get too many pictures after the party started, and I didn’t get any pictures of my helper ladies. However, here are a couple of general crowd shots, early on. One of my helper ladies took some pictures, but I haven’t seen them yet, so I’m not sure what pictures she was able to get. Everyone seemed to have a really nice time and was very complementary of the food. I have attached links to the recipes for the various dishes, for those that are interested and would like to print out the recipes. Here is a picture of the table , and this was the menu, starting at the right of the table and moving left: 1) Meatballs—store-bought meatballs, with sauce consisting of 2/3 BBQ sauce and 1/3 apricot preserves 2) Paula Deen Hot artichoke dip http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/three-cheese-hot-artichoke-dip-recipe/index.html (Sorry, I did not get any particularly good pictures of these) 3) Barefoot Contessa roasted shrimp cocktail http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-shrimp-cocktail-recipe/index.html , with the shrimp boat behind courtesy of Eric 4) Veggie plate with Periwinkle’s dill dip Dill dip recipe served in Pat’s red cabbage bowl 5) Fruit tray, featuring Pat’s pineapple arrangement Pat's pineapple arrangement accented by hibiscus flowers from my garden 6) Devilled eggs (my recipe), accented by carved cantaloupe, courtesy of Eric’s carving mastery 7) Chocolate pretzel bites by Periwinkle (behind) [img] http://www.info-res.com/ehill/ttol/temp/party92310/party8.jpg[/img] chocolate pretzel bites accented by carved cantaloupe by Eric 8) Gorgonzola, apple, and cranberry bites, by Orange Burst, in front of the chocolate pretzel bites. Gorgonzola phyllo bites 9) Iced tea, wine, beer, water With regard to the portion sizes of the dishes, I have here just reproduced the links to the original recipes, not the amounts which I actually produced for the party. We had the party on Thursday night and 6 people at my office ate leftovers for lunch the next day. References hereafter to leftovers are after the ‘after party’ the next day. For the meatballs, we had approximately 180 meatballs, and we had approximately 2 dozen left. For the artichoke dip, I prepared 3 trays of artichoke dip (which computed to be SEVEN times the recipe), and I had one tray left, which we divided between us and a girlfriend of mine (who is probably serving it while watching the Gators tonight! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />). I made 6 pounds of shrimp and had approximately 1 dozen shrimp left over. I tripled the recipe for the cocktail sauce and basically had TWICE as much cocktail sauce as needed. I doubled the recipe for the dill dip and again had approximately half left, and had quite a few veggies left. For the devilled eggs, I fixed 24 eggs (resulting in 48 pieces) and had zero left. For the chocolate pretzel bites, I made a double batch of MILK chocolate and a single batch of DARK chocolate ones. I have maybe a third of those left—which is no tragedy, since they freeze beautifully. For the gorgonzola bites, I made a double batch and had about a half dozen left. I was very happy with the entire menu. The only thing I wasn’t ecstatic with was the dill dip (sorry Periwinkle!!), as I thought it was OK, but somewhat bland. I did not want to use the Accent, because of MSG and could not find the Beau Monde, and did not want to go the trouble of making it, so I basically just put some salt in and left it go. It did LOOK beautiful in the purple cabbage though!! Other than that, I could very happily serve the exact same menu again at a future party. Thanks for listening and thanks to ALL who helped with the planning of the menu, as I know I could not have done it without you guys!!! Thanks again!!
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12914
09/25/2010 07:28 PM
09/25/2010 07:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 905 Toronto, Canada
mary
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Lovely spread Carol- I know you prepared far in advance and I'm sure your guests enjoyed the results Thanks for the photos and sharing a summary of the recepies Mary
Mary Life is a series of delicious moments!
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12916
09/25/2010 08:07 PM
09/25/2010 08:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 905 Toronto, Canada
mary
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BTW-great photo of you and Eric. love the dress and bracelets
Mary Life is a series of delicious moments!
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: mary]
#12917
09/25/2010 08:25 PM
09/25/2010 08:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Thanks! Bracelet from Rima, of course!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Great Job, Carol!
[Re: Emily]
#12919
09/25/2010 08:35 PM
09/25/2010 08:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Thanks!! It was a business party, so we wanted to make sure we did it right. I am very happy with how it turned out.
Carol Hill
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Re: Great Job, Carol!
[Re: LBI2SXM]
#12921
09/25/2010 08:45 PM
09/25/2010 08:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Yes, I know! It is funny, regardless of what one makes, people are EXCITED about deviled eggs! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> My girlfriend had tasted just about all of the menu before, as I did a mini trial run at the office. And when I said last week that I was making devilled eggs, she was so excited! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: BigJim]
#12924
09/25/2010 09:33 PM
09/25/2010 09:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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As I said, actually, not much!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The major left over was the 3rd tray of artichoke dip. Will be serving that tomorrow for football games!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: BigJim]
#12926
09/26/2010 08:34 AM
09/26/2010 08:34 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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It is pretty good! I don't know how successful it will be, but I took part of the leftovers and froze them. We'll see how that turns out.
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12927
09/26/2010 09:03 AM
09/26/2010 09:03 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,592 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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You set a beautiful table Carol! Good job!
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12929
09/26/2010 10:34 AM
09/26/2010 10:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166 Tampa, FL
Dmgators
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Carol_Hill said: As I said, actually, not much!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The major left over was the 3rd tray of artichoke dip. Will be serving that tomorrow for football games!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> Are you far enough away to get the Bucs game? I'd rather be there than at the stadium, if so... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Beautiful spread and you two clean up pretty good too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Debbie
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Dmgators]
#12930
09/26/2010 11:11 AM
09/26/2010 11:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Unfortunately, no. But hey, give me a call if you want to come on over!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket. You can watch any OTHER game you want!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12931
09/26/2010 12:41 PM
09/26/2010 12:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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Office party? I thought you were sitting up there in central Florida living off of Eric's trust fund!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Nutmeg]
#12932
09/26/2010 01:08 PM
09/26/2010 01:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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Hey, show's what YOU know!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Cheryl_Ted]
#12934
09/26/2010 02:41 PM
09/26/2010 02:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 83,601
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It's about that time, for house parties, this time of year, huh? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#12936
09/26/2010 03:58 PM
09/26/2010 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Everything really looked wonderful Carol.Your party report was very much appreciated and all the pictures are very taste-bud stimulating! So glad it was a great success. The recipes you chose are always a crowd pleaser for sure and the devilled eggs are certainly always a big favorite at all parties! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: periwinkle]
#12939
09/26/2010 07:53 PM
09/26/2010 07:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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Hey, Connie, thanks so much for recipe for the peanut butter pretzel things!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> And the dip did look great.. Hope we can see you down island soon, one of these days!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: Temery]
#12942
09/27/2010 02:02 PM
09/27/2010 02:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 83,601
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There are certainly some advantages to living in Florida! The flowers are one!<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: annie]
#12946
09/29/2010 09:45 AM
09/29/2010 09:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Mercy, Annie, where do you keep them all?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: annie]
#12950
09/30/2010 12:28 AM
09/30/2010 12:28 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,513 new york, new york
caribbeanscout
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Posts: 3,513
new york, new york
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even as the world moves to hi-tech everything, there is a certain charm to still reading on paper (newspapers, magazines, etc), including cookbooks. i'm with you on this one. while yes, i do resort to using online references often for recipes, there is just something about cookbooks... one of my good friends would tease me, as often times my favorite nighttime readings would be a cookbook or so. by the way, i may have you beat on the cookbooks... i've lost count.
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Re: Office Party Report
[Re: caribbeanscout]
#12951
09/30/2010 09:56 AM
09/30/2010 09:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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CS--I am a 'books' kinda person, always was. Give me a good real book, any day! I do look up a lot of recipes online though..
Carol Hill
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