Hosting a baby shower is both a blessing and, well, not a blessing. We’re always thrilled to help a friend or relative welcome a new baby into the world, but if we’re being honest, throwing a baby shower requires hours of planning, preparation, and quick execution the day of. Once you’ve got your decor, games, and background soundtrack squared away, you still need to feed all of your lovely guests. Rather than spending time cooking over a hot stove or oven, we’ve rounded up six spectacular no-cook dishes that attendees will appreciate. Pair them with sparkling water or some champagne – the true bubbly – and you’ve organized a terrific soiree in a snap.
Pinwheels
These circular sandwiches are both delicious and attractive when plated, because we know most baby shower hosts want things to look great! Choose a pliable “bread” of your choice, such as a lavash wrap or a tortilla. Then carefully layer ingredients of your choice. Think turkey, Swiss, spinach, and mayo (a condiment works well as a “glue” here); lox and cream cheese; or salami, pepper jack, pepperoncini, romaine, and mustard. Then roll your creation and slice the log into circles or edible yummy pinwheels.
Bruschetta Bites
We love a good mixture of basil, mozzarella, and tomato – none of which require a hot stove before eating. Wash and dry fresh basil, pick up miniature mozzarella balls and drain from their liquid, then gently chop ripe tomatoes (or chop nothing by buying delectable tiny cherry tomatoes. Marry those three ingredients with olive oil, a touch of vinegar, and some salt, and you have a colorful bruschetta to place on slices of your favorite baguette. Toast your bruschetta beforehand for some crunch.
Peach and Goat Cheese Crostinis
If you’re lucky enough to be throwing a shower during stone fruit season, you may as well take advantage. Collect ready-to-eat peaches, a loaf of ciabatta (or another crusty bread that can hold some weight), a goat cheese log (let it get to room temperature to be more spreadable), and some thyme. Toast and slice your bread, spread with the goat cheese, then arrange your gorgeous peach slices atop the bread. Sprinkle with thyme or drizzle with honey — whatever you think your mama-to-be would most enjoy.
Mini Smoothies
This is a nice way to diversify your shower menu – a little smoothie in a miniature glass gives everyone a dash of fruit and tastes like a sweet treat. Start with whatever fruit is in season and accessible to you. If that’s strawberries, blend them with Greek yogurt, a cold milk of your choice, some ice for a bit more chill, and a little honey. Pour into mini glasses, add cute straws, and serve.
Ice Cream for All
Why not act like a kid again, licking ice cream off the cone while chatting and laughing with some of your dearest friends? Skip the cake, buy some great sugar cones, and a few cartons of the guest of honor’s favorite ice cream flavors. When it’s dessert time, set up all your items, tell everyone to line up, then scoop out an ice cream cone for each guest, and send them back to the revelry with their delicious treat in hand.
Skewers
Most of us think “meat” when we imagine a skewer dish, but we’re here to tell you that nearly anything can be served on a stick. For an easy baby shower snack, chop then stack your favorite antipasto bites (for example) on a wooden or reusable skewer, then plate them in a pyramid for easy eating on the go at your event. Consider stacking olives, mozzarella cubes, cucumber and salami slices. Or go for watermelon balls and folded mint leaves, or just about any favorite fruit you can find.
