This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpringIntoFlavor #CollectiveBias
Throwing a great party doesn’t have to mean tables and tables piled high with 12 different kinds of food, not counting the dessert table. Nope. It can be as simple as a gorgeous food station like this French Fry Bar with varieties of Alexia fries and onion rings. Here’s how I set up simple, yet stunning food stations for my parties. Welcome to the Springtime inspired French Fry Bar.
The most challenging part for me is not the food. It’s remembering to have enough dishes for all of the goods and figuring out where I am going to put them. So the night before I make sticky notes for everything I’m going to serve and place them in the dish I want to serve them in. Then I place the dishes around the table until I’m happy with the set up. Sometimes I switch things up by moving the dish or the sticky note. This way, the next day, all I have to do is plate the food! I sleep a lot easier knowing this is done the day before.
Would you believe me if I told you, you could pull this party off for around $40? I picked up enough fries for a huge party for just under $20 at Walmart. Then just added some fun condiments for a striking party station that won’t break the bank.
While you know I am a fan of handmade and homemade I’m sort of Sandra Lee about the whole thing. You know, semi homemade. This takes off some of the pressure and allows you to get creative in other ways, like with the condiments.
And it helps when you’re semi-homemade meal starts with all natural ingredients like onions, Panko breading and sea salt. Who am I kidding. They had me at Rosemary.
But hosting a Fry Bar isn’t just a ketchup and mustard affair.
Your toppings can be as varied and creative as the fry flavors themselves.
I mean, not that you can’t just love Rosemary and Sea Salt all by themselves. Because you totally can.
Presentation matters. These little Kraft paper cones were easy to create and make for a perfect display. I tucked them inside this little wooden barrel with the greenery in between. That way it’s like picking these all natural fries fresh from your spring garden.
It’s just plain fun deciding how many delicious combinations you can come up with.
Like, did you know that red pepper jelly makes an AMAZING dipping sauce for onion rings? Well it does. It really, really does.
I was watching Man vs Food on the Food Network the other day and the place he was visiting made wings tossed with homemade red pepper jelly. That’s what gave me the idea. And man was it a great one!
And there’s no need for a separate dessert table. Just put out a delicious salted caramel sauce and let it do the work for you. All you need is your favorite caramel sauce topped with a little sea salt.
Then of course all you need are some delicious sweet potato fries for dipping. Trust me. They’re just as good as they look.
Throw in a few extra things like shredded Monterey Jack cheese, oven crisped prosciutto and ranch aioli and you’ve got the best Fry Bar IN TOWN!
If you want to get a little extra fancy you can combine all of these delicious ingredients into a taste explosion guaranteed to have your guests asking for the recipe. Just add a little White Truffle oil to what you’ve already got and you’re well on your way to Loaded White Truffle and Rosemary Fries with Ranch Aioli. It’s a mouthful and it’s a good one!
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Alexia Rosemary and Sea Salt Fries
- 2 TBS White Truffle Oil
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1/4 Prosciutto (or Pancetta)
- Prepared Ranch Aioli (recipe below)
- *Fresh Rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- Cook fries according to package directions. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 mins.
- Place fries in baking dish and drizzle with white truffle oil
- Top with cheese and prosciutto pieces
- Top with Rosemary sprigs*
- Place under broiler on high for 3 - 5 mins or until cheese is bubbly and prosciutto crispens
- Serve with Ranch Aioli
Ranch Aioli
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 milk
- 1 pk ranch seasoning
Combine and set aside or refrigerate.
Being the Southern girl I am, I have to give it a little southern flair and put together a meal that includes some southern favorites. BBQ. Slaw. And sweet potato.
Oh yeah, and onion rings. Because everything is better topped with onion rings!
Served with a side of Spicy Sweet Potato Fries and a shut my mouth!
Do you guys know that song, Song of the South by the Oak Ridge Boys Alabama? We had to sing it for a 4th grade assembly and now every time I think sweet potato, I automatically think, “shut my mouth”. I’m surprised I don’t say it out loud. {I’d be like that kid from The Middle, whispering ‘And a shut my mouth’ under my breath.}
You know that hush that goes over a crowd of people with something delicious in their mouths? Well this… THIS is that hush inducing goodness! And if you want more I invite you to visit the Alexia Facebook page and Alexia on Pinterest for more delicious recipes and ideas.
Speaking of recipes, I’ll have to share with you my Homemade Broccoli Slaw recipe soon. You just can’t have a great BBQ without it. And I’d love for you to tell me your favorite Spring time, mouth hushing ideas in the comments below. You show me yours and I’ll show you mine!
sonja says
I love this! So pretty and delicious!
jamie says
Thank you!
sonja says
And Jamie!!!! Song of the South is by one of my fave bands of all time—Alabama!!! Although I do love the Oakridge Boys as well! ☺
jamie says
I’m firing your brother as editor of this blog.
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
What a great idea! I love the set-up and everything looks delicious. I do remember the Alabama song…I was hearing the “shut my mouth” verse just before I read it, haha!
jamie says
Ha! That’s so funny! Glad it’s not just me! LOL
Stephanie says
Your sticky note tip is genius! I’m always fretting about where things go and how they will look – this would take such pressure off of me during the party. Your French Fry Bar looks delicious… but I think I must try your Loaded White Truffle & Rosemary Fries with Ranch Aioli recipe … YUM! #client
Carrie @huppiemama says
Sometimes the best ideas for entertaining are simple – This is a great way to please all your guests by allowing them to build their perfect dish containing fries or onion rings. Yum!