Girly Weekend Away - Menu ideas....

[StarryEyedMama]

Hi All

I'm organising a hen weekend for 9 girls and I need some fab ideas for food. Friday night, I was thinking of having a Cocktail night but not sure what food to provide and then I need some fun ideas for breakfasts and lunches and one other evening as we will probably eat out the other night. (only thing to think about is that the bride is allergic to fish!)

Any ideas would be gratefully received - I'm lacking inspiration!

TIA

Something like a big pan of chilli and a big pan of rice, or bolognese and pasta - can be made before hand and reheated- can also do a veggie pan. I'd go for a big brunch- just put a load of sausages and bacon in the oven with rolls when people surface!

Agree with karate that you should do something that you can make in one big batch and just serve with rice or pasta for ease. So chilli, spag bol, curry are all good options. That way you have something that almost everyone is guaranteed to like and no one is spending the whole weekend slaving.

For brunch, I would maybe do croissants/pain au chocolate one day and sausages, bacon and eggs with bread rolls on the second. Make sure there is cereal for those who want it and everyone should be happy.

When I do cocktails, I tend only to do one as it's easier to mix a big batch and you can justify buying one or two random liquers that you'll never use for anything else. Last time I did lychee martinis (equal volumes lychee liquer, vokda and juice from a tin of lychees, and a couple of lychees in every glass). They were delicious! To go with them I made some chicken satay and some noodles, so kept it simple.

For cocktail night I'd just put out a big platter of good cold meats/salami/pate etc and a platter of great cheese. Good bread, crackers, olives, those little sweet/hot peppers stuffed with ricotta. Hummus and crudities. Then everyone can just have a pic and you can spend your time on making cocktails.

Jacket potatoes for lunch? And a mix of stuff to put on top; cheese, beans, coleslaw, tuna mayo etc.

Seafood pasta for dinner? Boil up some linguini, fry off lots of garlic, pinch of chilli flakes, prawns, mussles, squid, queenie scallops, crab (waitrose do a good vac sealed crab) etc, whatever suits, squeeze of lemon juice and lots of chopped parsley, salt & pepper. Simple, easy, quick. Big green salad an maybe a bit of garlic bread on the side. Could leave out the chilli and add a splash of white wine then a dollop of cream or creme fraiche. Lovely with a glass (or several) of Prosecco or Pino Grigiot!

Don't make pudding, just put out a massive bowl filled with maltesers, minstrals, buttons etc.

Have fun.