Berries, a side of veggies, broccoli salad...feeding the cat.....organizinc sequines when you are trimming something, curry dipping sauces, any dipping sauce, spiced nuts, wasabi peas and olives.
I can think of a million uses.
Linda C

Nuts, sorbet, jello salad, 1 scoop of ice cream, 1 roll with a pat of butter.....

Save 'em for the next swap? Send them as a surcie? See if someone here wants to barter them for something?

What jessy said.
LOU

Unless you bought these on a final sale or something, I sure don't like Wm's & Sonoma's return policy, especially with having the receipt.

How about using them for dished out pudding/custards (unless the oyster shape is just too obvious) or oysters rockefeller?

Soap dish, ring holder, place them around a deck at night and place a votive in each for a beachy theme. Or with votives by a bathtub...

Jo

Mini Coquilles St-Jacques? I don't like the WS policy either then..Geesh..you can't beat Costco or WalMart for that.

What was your first idea? They are very pretty..

I agree the return policy there is ludicrous. They should have at least given you a store credit.

Back on topic, I like Jo's idea of the votive holders, and all the others, too. How about using them as some use the ceramic spoons for individual appetizers?

Linda

I've returned a lot of stuff there without a receipt. Of course I only get store credit, which is fine. There's no date on a missing receipt. ;) Send your husband so they don't recognize you, say it was a gift.

Simple ;o) A delicious oyster stew, clam or lobster chowder, or seafood bisque.

I think they would make lovely dishes to use when serving hors d'oeuvers. I like to provide everyone with a little plate rather than have them use a napkin.

At the table you could use them with any seafood starter or even as finger bowls.

Knowing your skill at setting a table I can envision a "sea side" theme in your near future.

WOW, great ideas! Thanks! And Chase, thank you, you are kind. Yes I did hope to incorporate them into a tablesetting, that's why I asked for food suggestions. They were too expensive to use as candleholders, etc, plus I have 100 of those votive holders I bought when I did catering. I thought it would be fun to see what others would do with them....and I am not disappointed in the response!
Monique, I originally thought they would be good to serve baked clams, but DH thought that was frivolous as we get clams down the block for free, and it comes with a shell, LOL. I thought I could give everyone one big one, rather than 3 small ones...Do you think 1/4 of a cup of bisque is enough for a serving, they would be nice for that..(BTW, I just mentioned that to DH and he laughed, said it wasn't enough..so maybe for a LADIES luncheon, LOL!)
Thanks again for your creative ideas everyone!
James, you are too funny....I should have said they were a gift...but I think they saw they were SUMMER and they had pretty much cleared all that out. And they weren't final sale either!

Kathleen, sell 'em on Ebay! I went through a craze a couple of years ago and sold everything that was hiding in the basement, closets, garage, etc. Made a couple thousand bucks, and didn't even miss the stuff. Word to the wise, though...it can get addicting!

P.S. The other ideas were all great, too!

Duane

Melted butter for clams or lobster? (I know it is a condiment, but I'm drawing a blank.)
jo

I would use them for anything served in small amounts that is messy and might mingle with other items on the plate. Such as baked beans, cole slaw, soupy saucy pasta salad, etc. We often put out little custard cups for that purpose when we serve buffet style.

Dances.

Thank you for all your ideas!
Dances, Terri called me on my use of the larger votive holders for serving my indiv cups of cole slaw, lol, maybe she'll like this better!

This recipe is perfect:

Crab Imperial

3 tbs butter
2 tbs chopped onion (I use green onions)
2 tbs all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk or half and half
1 lb fresh lump crab meat, drained
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbs dry sherry

Paprika

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender. Combine flour and milk, stirring well. Add to onion and cook about 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Add crab meat and next 4 ingredients. Spoon into a greased 2-qt baking dish or individual baking shells. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Serves 6.

Note: I usually add a pinch or two of mace and if I have a mild cheddar, I sprinkle a little on top.

Nancy (wizardnm)
--------------------------------------------

Or my fish version:

Baked Fish Imperial (inspired by Nancy's Crab Imperial)

3 tbs butter
2 tbs chopped green onions
1 cup cooked spinach (I used frozen)
2 tbs all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk or half and half
1 lb mild white fish, like sole or halibut, flaked
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp ground white pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbs dry sherry
2 tsp lemon juice
Salt
Paprika

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and and spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender. Whisk the flour and milk together. Add to onion mixture and cook about 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Add flaked fish and next 6 ingredients. Spoon into a greased 2-qt baking dish or individual baking shells. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Serve hot with some rustic bread.

Serves 6 as an appetizer. Serves 4 as a side dish.

Gina's Note: I baked this in 4 ramekins, and I sprinkled some cheddar on each before baking.

Thanks, Gina! I have actually made that Crab Imperial.
I will give it a try...

Years ago I had a stack of those oval white stoneware oval "diner dishes". That was during the days when I had kids who didn't want anything to touch....and I used them for veggies, potatoes, rice, etc etc....
They will be good for all sorts of stuff.
Linda C

Kathleen, we used to go to this restaurant that served these baked clam sort of things with a real odd name. It's pronounced Ko-Hogs. But it's spelled quite different than that, starts with a Q I think.

When I first saw the little dishes, that's what I thought of. They are quite pretty and I can't wait to see a pic of your table all set with these on it.

You all had some great ideas! I had a good chuckle at LindaC's suggestion - feeding the cat............ hahaha!

Hey, Shaun, it's Quahogs, and I made baked Quahogs, ie clams tonight. One will be plenty for an appy at a dinner!

Kathleen! What a fantastic presentation. You done great!

There ya go girl! YUMMY! Gimme one of those!

Shaun, I'm impressed!

Kathleen, It looks wonderful, I'm sure your guests will be impressed.

I think the dishes are adorable and would use them to hold something like Kathleen's delicious cole slaw!!

Good idea for the clams!

Michelle