It's the first Wednesday of the month, and so there is always a theme at Works for Me Wednesday. The theme this month is again a "backwards" edition. So, instead of giving a tip, we ask for advice.
I just couldn't narrow down my question -- and so I had to pick two that I have been thinking of.
1. What are your favorite party foods? This can be desserts, salads, dips...whatever! Just something you love to have at a party. You can post a recipe (or link to one) or just post the general idea. For instance, I would say Spinach Dip in King Hawaiian Bread, since I always have that at a party. So...I can't wait to hear your great suggestions!
2. I would love some recommendations on a new sewing machine! Or, if you don't have a specific recommendation -- what are some features that I should definitely look for (or avoid) in a new sewing machine?
Thanks a ton!!!! 
Be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday this week and see if you can offer up tips and information to other bloggers!
16 comments:
I don't have a suggestion for the food, but I love my Kenmore sewing machine. My husband bought it for me for Christmas 2 years ago and I love it!
Here is the one I have: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02019233000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Sewing+Machines+%26+Accessories&sbf=Brand&sbv=Kenmore
It was a little bit more than I would have spent, but I had gone through 2 Brother's machine's (the one you get at Walmart) in as many years.
Good luck finding something.
party foods...i love artichoke dip. in terms of the sewing machine, i suggest haunting the sewing machine shop regularly to find a really great deal on a used machine...you can get more bang for your buck this way. good luck!
I guess it depends what kind of party you're talking about but I love fruit salsa with cinnamon pita chips or fresh fruit with a cream cheese fruit dip. Really some kind of dip.
I love guacamole. My suggestion on a sewing machine is a Bernina. I have an older model and it works like a dream! They are all steel, so they are heavy but they will last forever. You can usually find one used from a dealer. I think take them in trade, recondition them and resell them for less. They are made in Switzerland. I would totally buy one, it worth every penny.
maybe my friends are really boring, but the things that ALWAYS go at my parties are:
chicken wings
chips and salsa
veggies and dip
fruit and dip (mix sour cream and brown sugar. mmmm.)
one of my personal favorites is to roll a pickle wedge and some cream cheese up in a slice of ham (good ham, please!) and then cut into slices. You'll need toothpicks to hold it together, but it's tart and salty and gooey. so good!
the pioneer woman has an appetizer on her recipe blog with crackers and bacon that looks to die for...
good luck!
as for sewing machines, i have a (fairly cheap) kenmore, but i love it...
Anything finger food and definitely dips. Another great and easy party food is bruschetta. You can make the traditional with a tomato topping, or you can get fancy and try one with mozzarella, tomato, and basil, or brie, cashews, and a drizzle of honey. Yum!
I have a Husqvarna sewing/embroidery machine. It's a very robust little powerhouse and I get a lot of great use out of it, but the embroidery component does make it expensive. My mother swears by her Bernina, she's had it for 20 years and I think they even repaired it for her at one point...
I love my Singer machine. It's the cheapest model they make (bought at Walmart), but it works well and the directions were very clear.
I love taco dip for parties. Here's how to make it: Mix 2 blocks of cream cheese with 2 Tbsps of taco seasoning and spread in a 9x9 pan. Spread refried beans over that, I probably use 1/2 cup. Pour salsa over beans (maybe 3/4 cup) and top with shredded cheese, black olives, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and whatever you use on tacos.
I love my Janome Quilter's Edition. :) It's not all that fancy, but it is sturdy and still going strong 5 years after I bought it.
Hugs,
Melinda
Party food -- I love anything you can make ahead of time and not have to keep warm. Deviled eggs is one that is loved and is always gobbled down.
Sewing machine -- what are you planning on making with it? Will you just need straight lines, or do you want fancy stiches? Here is a review of a machine from another site I visit. http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2008/02/sewing-machine.html
I have a Pfaff tiptronic 2030 and I love it. I am a big believer in buying high quality at "used" prices. I bought mine from a pawn shop. But I had already used a very old Singer for enough years that I knew this wasn't a passing phase of crafting.
Mmmm...party food! Let's see...taco dip, guacamole, homemade salsa and fresh tortilla chips, bean dip,fruit salsa with cinnamon chips, and cheese fondue!
This is similar to what a lot of people are suggesting, but I like a variety of salsa and dips, with tostitos, pita chips, italian toast - whatever! One of my favorite homemade ones can be found here http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1133862
I usually then have some different kinds - like peach mango salsa, or verde salsa - good kinds easily bought at Trader Joe's or Costcos. The link I added shows a picture of displaying the dips and salsa that is really nice.
My favorite party dip is a sausage dip. Brown your sausage (i like spicy), drain it, then add a can of rotel & 2 blocks of cream cheese. You can put it in the crock pot if you want. Serve with tortilla chips - it's always a hit!
Favorite Party Food....
Hawaiian Rolls....
Ham and Turkey slices
Monterey Jack Cheese and Swiss Cheese Slices
1/2 cup butter melted
poppy seeds
Make the sandwiches however you would like. Brush the tops of rolls with butter and poppy seeds...bake at 350 20 minutes....YUM!
Tex Mex Rollups
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, well drained
1 envelope (dry) ranch dressing mix
dash garlic powder
2 pkgs. large flour tortillas
Salsa, optional
Mix first four ingredients until well blended. Spread mixture on tortillas and roll up jellyroll fashion. Freeze for one hour. Remove and slice into 1/4 - 1/2 inch spirals. Serve alone or with salsa for dipping.
Fruity Chicken Salad
1 ½ C mayonnaise
1 (8 oz.) container vanilla yogurt
½ tsp. lemon juice
diced cooked chicken (about 3 boneless breasts)
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 lg. can mandarin oranges, drained (I use 2)
1 bunch seedless red grapes
sunflower seeds
chow mein noodles
cooked pasta (about 12 oz. dry)
Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside. Combine all remaining ingredients EXCEPT chow mein noodles. Just before serving, combine chicken & mayonnaise mixtures. Top with chow mein noodles.
Tangy Cheese Ball
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
4 C (16 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 C milk
1/4 C chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
1 (.06 oz.) envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1 C chopped pecans
Combine all ingredients except nuts, mixing well. Shape into 2 balls, and coat w/ pecans. Chill 8 hours. Serve with assorted crackers.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Hmmm- party food, it would have to be anything from Marks & Spencers! They do wonderful party food like brie and cranberry filo parcels. As this is mainly a UK store, this may not be the most helpful reply you get!!
We ended up taking back the low end Janome that I got for Christmas. It just didn't meet my expectations for what I thought a "Janome" should be. I'm sure the high end ones are awesome though.
I now have a Kenmore(I think they may be made by the same company)it was also a cheaper model(200 bucks) but I'm loving it so far. Self threading, has all the basic feet, lots of fancy stitches, but not so many that I get too confused.
If I had to do it again, I'd have spent the extra 50-75 bucks and got the one with the speed control and quilting extras. Other than that, I love it.
You know food and I don't go well together. BUT, I do like the Sister Shubert's heat n' serve mini biscuits w/sausage links for get togethers and everyone else always does too!
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