OK, my brother male forum members, here's where we prove our worth. Let's help the nice lady dump that metrosexual menu and replace it with a really manly one. "Hubby" has worked hard all his life and he deserves to exit in style. I'll be back after I think it over.

Jim

I'd eliminate one of the salads (keep the Caesar) and offer what here is called "pepitos" or a thin steak in a crispy toasted small baguette.....make your own style, with mustard, onions, ketchup, pickles etc to go with them. A sort of toasted steak sandwich.

You've got plenty of good food planned. I think men would like a good potato salad in there as well though.

SharonCb

I second the pepitos suggestion.

I'd cut out the pasta salad in favor of a potato one, and maybe change the veggie and dips into salsa and chips and/or grilled veggie kabobs (which don't take that long to grill and taste fine room temp). Personally, I love Chinese Chicken salad, but it seems a little out of place with the rest of the foods. What about a tabbouleh or greek salad if you want a second salad?

Here's a recipe Linda posted a couple years ago. DH likes it, although I do have to cut the mayo for him (he doesn't like mayo)

Basil-Cream New Potato Salad
What could be better - new potatoes, cream, and fresh basil!
6 pounds small new potatoes
1/4 cup hot chicken broth or stock
4 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon prepared honey mustard
1 cup cream
1 cup mayonnaise
In a large pan over medium-high heat, add potatoes and cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, approximately 12 to 15 minutes or until just tender. Remove from heat and drain. Cut the warm
potatoes into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl; pour hot chicken broth or stock over the potatoes.
In a food processor or blender, combine basil leaves and garlic; whirl until smooth. Add lemon juice, pepper, salt, honey mustard, and cream; process a few times just to blend. Add mayonnaise and process just to blend. Pour basil-cream mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.
Makes 16 servings.

Linda tn

How about just having a whole roasted elk on a spit? Hand the guests large knives -- no forks or napkins.

Happy birthday, Thor!

:-)

LOL, gellchom, and don't forget the mountain oysters! (grin)

OK, I asked the man of the place. Elery agrees that the beef would be a good "sturdy food" addition. He also suggested getting rid of the pasta primavera salad and replacing it with potato salad. The fresh veggies could be replaced with chips and salsa or one of those 7 layer mexican type dips since he suggested beans and/or chili in some form. Ditch the angelfood cake, although it's my favorite, it's definitely "unmanly". (grin) Oh, and there HAS to be hot peppers in there somewhere.....

Everyone I've ever served these to love them, even those who don't like hot peppers:

Jalapeno Cheese Thumbprints

6 oz. Extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup finely shredded Parmesan Cheese
½ cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 cup flour
1 egg white
1 ½ tbsp Oakwood Cellars Riesling wine
1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts or use both but separate the batches
½- ¾ cup of jelly (use what you like) but jalapeno jellies work great

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease cookie sheet.

In a food processor combine the cheeses and butter. Process until well blended. Add the egg yolk, black pepper and blend again. Add flour and pulse until a soft dough forms.
In a small bowl combine the egg white and Oakwood Cellars Riesling wine. Put the pecans or walnuts in a bowl also. Now, Shape/roll the dough into small balls, roll in the egg/wine mixture and than in the nuts and place on cookie sheet. Using your thumb (or a spoon end) press into the centers of each ball.

Place 1 inch apart on baking dish. Bake about 15 minutes or so until cookies are lightly golden brown. You might have to press down the centers of the cookies right out of the oven.

Teaspoon a small amount of jelly into each cookie and they are ready to enjoy with a glass of Oakwood Cellars Wine while enjoying with guests.

Makes about 42 cookies

The angelfood cake could be replaced with brownies to go under that ice cream, brownie sundaes. Ann T's brownies are rich and decadent and Sherry's are probably my favorite of all.

Annie

Cheese and crackers....leave the cheese in 1 pound pieces and everyone cuts their own. Pizza bites....make a crust, pre abke and refrigerate or freeze, spread with pizza sauce or pseto sauce add cheese bake and cut in cocktail bite pieces.
Chips and veggies and dips are fine
Italian beef and BBQ pork for sandwiches.
Potato salad
Cole slaw..or a marinated veggie salad.
Baked beans ( I know it's trite, but men like it, and it has no bones, chocolate nor raisens to distract the doggies)
And pie for dessert...apple, cherry, strawberry....doesn't matter....just pie!
Linda C.
Kaiser rolls to put the meast on

Hmmm. I hadn't thought of whole roasted elk. It does sound yummy, doesn't it? Do you think one will be enough? The dogs will want some too.

I really like Linda's menu, especially the pie. I would never turn down a brownie sundae either, but chocolate is ruled out because of the doggies. I think chocolate is a no no for dogs and they would be sure to find a brownie.

More than one person mentioned potato salad and I heartily concur.

A spicy beef and BBQ pork for sandwiches is a good plan. BBQ chicken, not in sandwiches, would be an alternative.

It's shaping up nicely, even without help from us guys.

Jim

First off I want to tell you I think you have a lovely menu just as it is but it is your husbands special day.

Too make it more "manly" I'd replace either the Boursin or the hummus with Salsa and Nachos or a good seven layer dip. The one I make is pretty easy and can be made ahead. If I'm making it a day ahead I prepare all the veggies, store in ziplocks and assemble an hour or so before serving.

Mix 1 package of cream cheese with 1 cup mayo and 1 cup sour cream. Spread on the bottom of a casserole type dish. Then layer with salsa , chopped lettuce, chopped green onions (omit if you think you should), chopped peppers, chopped tomatoes and top with shredded cheese. Some people use refried beans instead of the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream mix.

I'd also replace the pasta salad with potato salad and offer a selection of meats for the sandwiches, not just turkey.

How about a couple of 6 foot party subs? Order them and pick them up the day of the party. Doesn't get easier than that. The elk is a nice idea though. A whole pig in the ground would be great too!

Duane

Nothing more manly than a pig roast. My brother hires a guy who comes with the whole set up and cooks the pig on site. Entertainment and food all in one package. Plus, none of the guests can mess with the grill.

I think he'd need a bigger cooker for an elk, though.

seagrass

LOL, Duane, I thought pig roasts were indigenous to Michigan! (grin)

Oops, forgot about the chocolate and the dogs. Although my WonderWeiner once at an entire box of fudge covered granola bars without visible upset, when I called my vet she laughed and said milk chocolate has so little chocolate that it probably wouldn't hurt him, it's all sugar, but dark chocolate was a big problem. Ann T's brownies have dark chocolate, a LOT of it, so those would be out.

I do agree on the pie, though, everyone I know loves pie, and that includes me!

Oh, how about LindaC's bologna snackers, the guys in my family love those.

Bologna Snackers
1 ring Dutch Bologna ( about a pound )
2 medium yellow onions ( about the size of a baseball)
Slice and layer in a crock or straight sided bowl
In a sauce pan place 1 c. cider vinegar, 1 cup water and 3/4 c sugar and 1 tsp mustard seed ( whole). Bring to a boil and pour over meat and let stand unrefrigerated for 24 hours. Serve with cocktail rye.

I did consider refrigerating mine but then realized that with all that vinegar and the inordinate amount of preservatives in the bologna, I don't think it COULD spoil. However, if it were 80F or so, I'd still probably refrigerate it.

My 7 layer dip is much like Chase's, but I use the refried beans as the bottom layer in place of all that mayo, and then I top it with low fat sour cream. It's all yummy, no matter what. I usually make my own refried beans but the canned ones are good too.

I also agree that I'd love your menu, but if your husband wants things more "manly", well, it's his party. Suggest the whole elk to him.....

Annie

I agree with Annie -- the party is for him, and if he wants more "manly," then ask him what he wants to eat and give it to him! Does he have favorite foods you could add to the list?

I was thinking BBQ Ribs -- you could do them in the oven ahead of time and then just finish them on the grill right before eating...

Emily

Nothing is easier than Italian Beef - it cooks itself, and your guests serve themselves. Same with BBQ Pork, although I've never done that for a big crowd. All your sides and munchies options sound delicious - it's the main course you don't want to have to tend while the party is going on, and why the Italian Beef is perfect. Make it two days before, heat before serving time.

Boneless Chuck (Ask the butcher how much for your group)
Water to almost cover beef
Dozen or so cheap onions, chunked
Head or two of whole garlic cloves
A LOT of salt and pepper
Three or four bay leaves

Put it all in the pot (or pots) in a 225º oven overnight - 6 to 7 hours, until the meat falls apart. Let it cool, refrigerate it, remove most of the fat while shredding and chunking the beef. Return to fridge until time to heat for the party.

My brother uses the same recipe (our dad's), but he doesn't remove the fat. I say he's lazy; he says his is better, let the guests who don't like fat remove their own. It does take some time to remove the fat, but it's easy to do and I think so much better. From your menu, it sounds like you wouldn't like too much fat, either. That's why you need to make it two days before the party - fat cooling and removal time.

I love parties! Have fun!

Sherry

Snacks! You don't need much of a "real" meal. The ususal meat and potatoes. An unusual meat can be popular. A chunk of alligator or whole salmon makes for macho munchin. If you can get a leg of elk that would be amazing! Most guys are eating machines that know no difference between hot dogs and prime rib. Hot Dogs have the advantage of being hand held. Have a sports game on the television during the meal... reruns are acceptable.

Oysters with crackers
Chicken gizzards either deep fried or pickled!
Sardines
Pickled bologna
Pickled eggs
Jerky
Cheese... hard cubes that survive a toss to the dog not some tasty spreadable delicacy.
Rye bread with spinach dip
At least one salsa that is smoking hot
Wasabi peas
Pizza
Veggie tray only if you have lots of dip
extra beer... if you can afford it a ice chest with a variety of beers. A few of the Sam Adams flavors, Guiness, Beck's, Heinie. Nothing wrong with a few bottles of PBR!

Consider a bowl of dog treats so they don't get stuffed with people snacks. Something hot and salty for the ladies... Jessy might have ideas for that. Nothing wrong with a few dishes for the ladies. Chicken salad would be just fine... make lots because when the guys finish theirs they will be around to clean up leftovers.

I think like a guy half the time!

: )
lyra

Ditto the pig roast. I once cooked a 100-150 lb pig over an open fire for about 14 hours. It was delicious. About 50 people had a great time. (Although my friend and I who got up at 3 a.m. to start the damn thing, we were pretty somnolent by the time the party broke out.)

It might be worth it if there is a local pig roast entrepreneur; if you have to do it yourself, bear in mind it's a LOT of work. Dunno if the dogs would behave with a hundred pounds of porcine nirvana being cooked under their noses, though.

The link is to a web site '3 men with nothing better to do' which discusses spit roasting and other manly pursuits. Even if none of that would be practical, you'll find it amusing.

Of course, if your husband and his male friends are typical, a keg of really good beer (Newcastle brown, for instance) will make most any occasion 'manly'.

Here is a link that might be useful: 3men cooking site

Huge is good!

I'd make the 7-layer Mexican Dip....on a giant platter (bonus points if it's shaped like a football or baseball).

Make "Chicken Wings" from tenderloins. Cut them in thirds so they are just a bite or two and use your favorite wing recipe. No bones!

Shredded beef or pork sandwiches as mentioned are easy too!

You could......roast an entire prime rib. Easy, just harder to serve and have "appropriate" sides for. But impressive!

I'd keep the veggies and just go with Ranch Dressing.
Add corn chips and salsa! (Again, BIG bowls!!)

Oatmeal Cookies (dried cranberries or dates instead of raisins)....AND Pie.

Definitely Pie.

Beer??!? (not sure about your wishes on alcohol). In a keg if you do it.

It will cut your prep and serving time if you have just a few menu items, but LOTS of it! Prep extra veggies, dips, etc. and have them in the fridge so you can refresh the platters as they empty.

Can ya tell I like Mexican food?? LOL
Sometimes a theme and/or ethnicity helps pull it together!
I agree about asking your DH what he wants, then go from there.

Deanna

I agree with lyra that you need at least one "smoking hot" salsa especially if you're not doing spicey wings.

If you keep the meatballs on the menu, I'd include big sub rolls because they're going to want to make a meatball sandwich.

The men in my family gobble up baked beans before any other side. They put them on hotdogs, on burgers, & just eat them on the side.

I would lose the boursin/crackers, pasta primavera, & the angel food cake. Pie is good.

If you're going to offer deli sandwiches (your menu includes turkey), I'd also have roast beef & ham plus all of the fixings. And, I'd offer sub rolls for the guys to build their sandwiches.

With the exception of the meatballs your menu is all cold foods. I'd have at least 2 and, probably, 3 choices of a hot food item (meats and/or sides).

Ditto with whoever suggested having a game on the TV somewhere. Heck, I'd like that too!

If you serve beer...definitely a keg. The keg just seems to instantly turn a backyard BBQ into a Party with a capital "P"!

Have fun & congratulations to your DH!

/tricia

A vat of jambalaya is never wrong!

Great suggestions, and thank you!!!! I'm gonna re-think a couple of things.

As an aside and a couple of stories, I forgot to mention DH will only eat beans that are green, and if I want to serve him cauliflower, I have to disguise it by making it mooshy and using butter and shredded cheese on it. Same thing with zucchini--one time, I scraped the skin off the zucchini, sliced it thinly, and made zucchini parmisan but --it's all in the wording--called it Eggplant Parmesan (which he loves). Yes, that man ate it all up and went back for seconds. YEARS later, I 'fessed up. Still cannot sneak any kind of bean into his chili, and darn it if he can taste coconut or coconut milk from a mile away. Just thought I'd share some giggles about his palate here.

I love the "outside the envelope" ideas too!

Smiles,
Sooz

OK, I'm going to be dumb and ask a question: why the worry on the ingredients? I know all that stuff listed is bad for dogs, but it's not like they are going to be grazing the buffet, is it? My pets don't eat my food, and I don't eat theirs. They insist on it being that way. (smile)

Green beans -- if you have a crock pot, there is a Portuguese dish of green beans, quartered new potatoes, onion, garlic (lots of garlic), diced tomatoes and sliced of chourico (the Portuguese kind, not the Mexican) in chicken broth. My husband could live on it.

Many of our guests don't have dogs.

While DH and I are not a soft touch, other guests may want to slip them a bite or two. Multiply that bite or two by the number of guests who just cannot resist, and you have a barfing or sick dog, hours later.

Our two Bichons do this darling little wave--"Will wave for treats!" --here they are on YouTube (in case the link doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1gKU_L6JV8#GU5U2spHI_4)

...and that's why the worry about ingredients!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bichons doing the Bichon wave

Ah...gotcha.

That is too cute. Bichons are so smart! Our neighbor had one and we used to swear it had a bigger vocabulary than she did.

I have done the cooking/food planning for about 7 "stag parties". It is hard to get caterers for these parties around here unless you are renting a hall that does cooking, and that is pretty expensive.

Some of the most popular items have been:

-penne pasta with meat sauce
-lasagna
-chicken wings
-sliced baked ham
-sauced chicken legs (either teryaki or bbq)
-baked beans
-meatballs in gravy or sweet and sour sauce
-salad (basic mixture of iceburg and a bit of romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomato wedges or grape tomatoes, and a vinagrette dressing OR ceasar salad)
-rolls and butter
-assorted cold cuts on a large french bread with sub fixings, sliced into portions

Yes, salad is on that list LOL. Just keep it basic and not too fancy. MAYBE add some shaved carrots, but no "weeds" or fancy greens. Ceasar salad seems to be popular with the guys as well.

Also, anything on a stick LOL. Kebabs, city chicken, that sort of thing.

I find that I don't like to do chicken wings unless I can do a LOT of wings. If guys eat wings they want to eat more than one or two, and I find the first few guys get a pile of wings and nobody else gets any. Legs are better to portion because most people would automatically take one, maybe two and not pile them up. Of course, you still need to watch for bones with the dogs around.

In general I find men are not as keen on things like veggies and dip (or really anything that needs dipping unless we are talking potato or nacho chips) or pasta salads beyond basic macaroni.

Sweeping generalizations for sure ;)

Here are a couple of recipes I collected from earlier postings (with the original comments)
****************
Buffalo Chicken
Posted by debbie814
Side note: This is a recipe that my hubbie makes that he learned from his college roommate from Buffalo, NY. It's very yummy!!

8 boneless chicken breasts
Mix together:
1 small bottle of Frank's hot sauce (6 oz.)
½ stick of melted margarine
3 cloves garlic (minced)

Dip chicken in bread crumbs, and fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Place in baking dish, and pour the mixture over the breasts. Bake or 25 minutes @ 350.
If you want it spicier, use less margarine. If you want it milder, use more margarine.
Serve celery sticks with bleu cheese dressing as a side dish.

**************
Buffalo Chicken Dip
posted by Glenda_al
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
1 12oz. bottle Frank's Hot Sauce
2 8oz pkgs. cream cheese
1 16oz. bottle blue cheese salad dressing(or Ranch if you prefer)
8 oz shredded sharp cheddar, Mont. Jack or a combo
Boil chicken until cooked through, shred with 2 forks.
Preheat oven to 350. In a 13x9, combine chicken with hot sauce and spread evenly.

In a large saucepan over med. heat, combine the cream cheese and dressing, stirring until smooth and hot. Pour evenly over chicken. Bake uncovered for 20 min., then sprinkly with shredded cheese and bake uncovered for another 10 min. Let stand 10 min. before serving.

Note:
Serve with Frito scoops, your favorite crackers, etc.
Just be sure to have a spoon or fork to put on chips, crackers!
Have made this many times, and found it works better, for me, by mixing everything together, including the cheese, then bake for 20-30 minutes until good and hot. Then let it stand for 10 minutes or EVEN LONGER to serve.
********************

I haven't made either yet, but they sound yummy... and manly!

Also, what about pizza? make the crust ahead (or I can also buy it from my local pizzaria) and put his favorite toppings on it. Cut it in squares for bite-size pieces.