Nutcracker Tea Party Details

Nutcracker Tea Party Deets...

Large Nutcracker bowl with Costco Quinoa Salad
2nd Large Nutcracker bowl with Iceberg lettuce, diced with small Nutcracker bowls of apples, Strawberries, cucumbers, feta and candied pecans on the Nutcracker tray, Blush Vinaigrette, Poppy Seed Dressing, Mango dressing on the side

Sandwiches: All on white rectangle platters
Focaccia, pesto, ham & havarti (open faced)
Wheat bread, nutella, strawberries
White bread, strawberry, basil, black pepper Boursin & balsamic

White rectangle platter with Costco cheese variety pack, crackers, a cheese ball and grapes

Martinelli's
Small white footed cheese board with packets of tea on it
bowl of ice with a scoop

White cake platter with shortbread cookies and madeleines
Rainbow cake platter with Costco cream puffs

Kneaders Sandwich Spread

I'm trying make ahead sandwiches again this year - I found out last year that my kids just WON'T take them to school but I'm going to try them as after school/before practice snacks. We'll see if I have any success.

I took a 24 pack of King's Hawaiian rolls and split it in half (so I had 12 rolls split x 2) Then I cut them in half horizontally. I layered one side with pre-cut cheese squares, topped with Kneaders Sandwich Spread and then deli ham, sliced and finally with the top of the Hawaiian rolls. Then I cut the rolls into sections of 2, set them in ziplocks and into the freezer they go.

I have a timer that goes off about an hour before the kids get home so I can pull a couple bags out and they'll be thawed by the time they get home - ready to eat!!

Kneaders Sandwich Spread
1/2 c mayonnaise
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 tsp yellow mustard
dash of salt

Mix! It's really delicious!

Portillos Chopped Salad

Portillo's Chopped Salad
1 cup uncooked Ditalini pasta, (2 cups cooked)
1 lb bacon, (about 1 cup cooked and crumbled)
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
2 cups chopped red cabbage
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 cup sliced green onions
4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola cheese, (about 1 cup)
(optional) 2 cups cooked and diced chicken

SWEET ITALIAN DRESSING:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar, (see note)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook Ditalini pasta according to package instructions. Make sure you salt the pasta water while cooking to give it some flavor. Drain and cool. Set aside.
Cook bacon in a skillet until done. Let bacon cool, then crumble it.
Combine romaine, iceberg, red cabbage, tomatoes and green onions in large salad bowl.
Add cooled pasta, bacon and gorgonzola cheese to salad. Add chicken if desired.
Add dressing to taste right before serving so that it doesn't get soggy.

For the Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper.