When two of my dearest friends were launching new novels -- Hank Phillippi Ryan ("The Other Woman") and Lucy Burdette ("Death in Four Courses") -- I wanted to throw the best bash ever to celebrate.
Before I knew it I had a crowd of about 80 people coming to wish the authors well and pick up signed copies of the books.
The challenge -- after figuring out where to put everyone -- was to offer up delicious finger food and drinks without breaking the bank, and doing it in a way that I could manage myself with the help of a few stalwart friends at the party.
I kept telling myself: Keep it simple, affordable, and delicious!
The solution: An antipasto table
- Platters of meats and cheeses cut into bite sized pieces
- Platters of grilled marinated vegetables.
- A big basket of sliced french bread
- Two kinds of crostini -- thin slices of barbecued steak on horseradish cream with arugula; and basil-flavored goat cheese with roasted red peppers -- assembled in advance.
- Lots of cookies, baked that day.
- Prosecco and sparkling water, augmented with whatever guests are generous enough to bring.