BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

Top Chef which airs on Bravo at 10/9c has been one of my favorite reality shows since it gives season and unseason chefs the chance to prove show talent to the world. What I love most about it though is the recipes, it's watching how the chef's plate the food to serve to the guests and judges. Even if it's something as simple as a piece of fried banana, they add so many visual elements to that plate that even I may not mind paying $10.00 for it.

The reason I am discussing this today is because I know there are many brides-to-be who would love to have a sit down dinner but is worried that it will be too expensive. There is a way to compromise. What Top Chef proves if the food is good, no one mind that the portions are smaller. So maybe it's ok to consider making your own food at home, deliver it to the venue buffet style, but have someone plate the food for the guests. That way you would not have to spend as much for food as you would for an open buffet bar, and if it's visually pleasing, your guests won't mind taking those few steps to get their appetizing meal. It's food for thought.

In the deli section of your local supermart you'll find a variety of party trays to choose from usually starting at around $15! Well, if you look closely at what you get for your money, much of the price goes into the prep work that's put in since the items are food that you can pull together yourself to create the same eye-catching, hearty and tasty platter that you can serve either at your Cocktail Hour or at your Wedding Reception.


This beautiful platter is filled with ham and turkey slices that you can pick up at Walmart or a specialty store for under $3.00 for a pack with 25 slices. The Oscar Mayer brand is tasty and still affordable if you are not sure what to hamd and turkey slices to buy and Kraft is a popular choice when it comes to cheese.



The last wedding I attended had these on the menu and they were gone fairly quickly. They are simply made with soft taco shells, filled with slice turkey, ham, salami or roast beef. The green is usually lettuce, spinach or avocado in some cases. To create a vegetarian wrap you can use lettuce, tomato, cucumber, spinach and/or any veggie you think would be a tasty addition, but it easy to roll!

Once you have all you need, it's just a matter of layering, rolling, cutting and stacking till you're done.

Below is a simple menu of comfort foods that is sure to please any crowd at a buffet, dinner reception.



~Bacon and Herb Roast Turkey Breast~
~Honey Baked Ham~
~Herbed Basmati Rice~
~Oven Roasted Red Potatoes with RoseMary and Garlic~
~Delicious Meatballs and Spaghetti~
~Caesar Salad with Parmesan Cheese~
~Dinner Rolls~

Bacon and Herb Roast Turkey Breast
Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse and Food Network

I love Paula Deen's recipes because she uses everyday ingrediants and they are usual so easy to follow. I do a lot fo southern and Caribbean cooking for my family as well since they do tend to give you the most ban for your cooking bucks. So whenever I need a new recipe I just tune in to Paula Deen on The Food Network to see what she's cooking up.

This Chocolate Gooey Butter cookie recipe from Paula Deen, I found it on YouTube. It is so simple and easy for anyone to make and they would be a wonderful favor option for your wedding guests. Enjoy.

The menu below is just a sample of the cuisine offered by the five star boutique hotel in London called simply... 41. If you pay really close attention that menu, much of the meal is what most of us consider to be comfort food. There's chicken soup, burgers, grill chicken, shortbread and even a sandwich. Of course we know that the quality of the meal will be exquisite but I think my mom's food is five star as well. So I posted the menu just to remind all of the small budget brides out there that you don't have to spend $200 per plate to give your wedding guest a unforgetably good meal.

This recipe comes to you from one of my favorite baking blogs and is quite easy to follow. It should not intimidate any of you ladies, bronze budget brides,  who are looking for a cheap wedding favor idea for her guests. They are cute, dainty and delicious... your guest would just love them.

 So many wedding cakes these days are made with fondant which may not taste the best but can be decorated much easier. If you want a traditional wedding cake then a butter-cream cake is a much cheaper alternative to a fondant cake, even if you were to do it yourself.

The YouTube video above is perfect of any of small budget bride who want to take on the task of making their own wedding cake. The video goes through step-by-step from beginning to end teaching just how to bake a lemon wedding cake and frost it with butter-cream icing.

This recipe is perfect for any bride-to-be who are preparing a buffet spread for their wedding reception. Your guest will love it!

• 1 medium lemon
• 4 - to 5- lb. roasting chicken
• 1/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage leaves 
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

Cost per recipe*: $7.80

Cost per serving*: $1.95

courtesy of makinglifebetter.com

• Prepare cheesecake recipe and pour over crust.

• Bake and cool following recipe directions.

• Refrigerate overnight.

• Cut into 2 in. squares.

• Flatten baking cups and place a cheesecake square on each.

• Position cupcakes on stand.

• Add a little blueberry pie filling and/or cherry pie filling to each cheesecake square.

If you are interested in the stand in the photo above, you can find it at Amazon.com at this link for $39.99 and it ships free.

 

recipe courtesy of Cooks.com

Instructions and Idea from Wilton.com