Debra McClinton
Wedding Reception: Sit-Down Dinner Menu Ideas
Appetizer
Seafood Salad: shrimp, calamari, scungilli, octopus, and mussels with lemon and extra-virgin olive oil or Fresh Figs Draped with Prosciutto di Parma
Salad
Tuscan Garden Salad: romaine lettuce, Bibb lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes, and radishes with balsamic vinaigrette
Main Course
Choice of:
Salmon: broiled and seasoned with bread crumbs, garlic,
lemon, and butter
Baby Rack of Lamb: three double cuts of rack of lamb coated in an aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices
Served with:
Bouquet of Fresh Seasonal Vegetables and Golden Fried Potato
Croquette
From Real Simple: 6 Wedding Stress Relievers
Debra McClinton
- Stuffed Endive with Roquefort Cheese, Topped with Chopped Walnuts
- Roasted New Potatoes with Dill Cream and Golden Caviar
- Spinach Dip with Toasted Pita Triangles
- Wild Mushroom Tartlets
- Artichoke Mousse Puffs
- Melon Wrapped in Prosciutto
- Miniature Reuben Sandwiches
- Spanakopita (spinach and Feta in phyllo pastry)
- Smoked Salmon Canapes Topped with Capers and Fresh Dill
- Seafood Dip with Sliced French Bread
- Miniature Crab Cakes
- Antipasti Display (buffalo mozzarella, grilled eggplant, marinated mushrooms, artichokes, vine-ripened tomatoes, kalamata olives, and bread sticks)
- Smoked Salmon Display (sliced salmon served with chopped onion, lemon slices, capers, cucumber-dill sauce, and assorted dark breads)
- Pasta Station (ravioli with roasted red-pepper sauce; bow tie pasta with Gorgonzola cream sauce)
- Carving Station (Asian flank steak and Cajun-rubbed turkey breast served with Cranberry-Mango Chutney and assorted rolls)
Wedding Reception: Cocktail Party Menu Ideas
- Grilled Coriander Giant Prawns with a Chili-Lime Sauce
- Rosemary-Roasted Baby Lamb Chops with Apricot-Mint Salsa
- Chicken Satays with a Tangy Peanut Sauce
- Bite-Size Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Salsa
- Three Onion, Feta, and Sun-Dried Tomato Tartlets
- Mini Lobster Rolls on Toasted Brioche
- Sauteed Softshell Crabs with a Spicy Remoulade
- Miso-Glazed Cod with Asian Pesto
- Authentic Dim Sum: crystal shrimp, sweet rice, spinach and shiitake mushroom
- Dumplings: served with three dipping sauces
See Real Simple's Guide to Wedding Tipping
Debra McClinton
Wedding Reception: Backyard Barbecue Menu Ideas
Main Courses
- Barbecue Beef Brisket
- Pork Spareribs
- Smoked Sausages
- Barbecue Chicken
- Barbecue Beans
- Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Tossed Green Salad
- Toasted Garlic Bread
- Corn Bread
More from Real Simple:
Wedding-Day Beauty Tips
5 Groomsman Gifts Under $50
5 Bridesmaid Gifts Under $50
