Create a festive reception with
French treats.

The Feast

When it comes to food for your reception, it really is possible for it to be elegant and economical at the same time. And with the French theme, it's quite plausible to pretend to be in Paris, even for a short while. Although you can't transport your guests to a party at the base of the Eiffel Tower or at the Louvre, you can cast the charm of the city's spell at your reception.

Easy-to-eat finger foods will lend a casual, comfortable feeling to one of the most wonderful days of your life; gathering family and friends is the special part. With a buffet meal, you and your guests will be able to mingle and converse more easily than at a sit-down dinner.

The menu doesn't have to break the budget or keep you locked away in the kitchen for hours. To carry out your Parisian theme, put out baskets of baguettes from your favorite bakery, oodles of olives, and homemade Smoked Salmon Pâté to spread on toasted baguette slices. On purchased mini-croissants (perhaps from a food club in your area), serve deli chicken salad to which you have added fresh tarragon.

For mini-hors d'oeuvres, serve Palmiers (puff pastry pinwheels filled with chopped olives), Marinated Feta Cheese and Olives, and miniquiches purchased from a food club and topped with sour cream. Wherever possible, tie a ribbon bow onto serving pieces.

More: Parisian Menu