Engagement-Party-Menu Ideas

Since the engagement-party-menu is the most important part of your planning, we suggest that you start early and do as many items as you can ahead of time. As far as the type of food you plan to serve, the sky is the limit because you can do snack food, horsdeuvres, casseroles, desserts . . on and on. Serving only a few basic items and preparing large quantities could cut down on your work because it would be less work in terms of shopping.

We've given you some of our basic "winner" recipes that we know you will love. They run out fast so make sure you prepare plenty and don't reserve them just for your engagement-party-menu. The menu includes:

• MEXICAN LAYERED DIP
• JAZZY MEATBALLS
• FRESH FRUIT AND DIP






Coupled with our music recommendations on the engagement page, this party will be a great one.


• 3 medium avocados
• 2 Tblsp lemon juice
• 1-1/2 cups sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 pkg taco seasoning mix
• 1 large bunch of green onions (chopped)
• 3 medium tomatoes (cored & seeded)
• 1 can black pitted olives, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 small cans prepared bean dip
• 1 8-oz pkg shredded Cheddar cheese

Peel, pit and mash avocadoes, add lemon juice, salt & pepper, mix well and set aside. In separate bowl, mix sour cream, mayo & taco seasoning. On large round platter, spread the bean dip as a bottom layer. Then layer the avocado mixture, then sour cream mixture. Top with chopped green onions, then tomatoes, olives and top with cheese. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

(If you make ahead, refrigerate and then set out at least 1/2 hour before serving.)


• 1 Tblsp catsup
• 1 tsp horseradish
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1/2 tsp instant minced onions
• 1/2 tsp salt
• dash of pepper
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup fine soft bread crumbs
• sharp cheddar cheese cut into 1/4 inch cubes

Combine the first six ingredients. Let stand for 10 minutes. Combine the ground beef and bread crumbs; stir in catsup mixture. Shape meat around the cheese cubes, form into 3/4 inch meatballs. Spear on bamboo skewers and cook in deep fryer for about 1-1/2 minutes.

Makes 2-1/2 dozen meatballs.

Combine everything but cream cheese in the top of a double boiler; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat; cool. Beat cream cheese until fluffy; add cooked mixture, beating until well blended. Chill. Serve with wedges of fresh fruit.