Baby showers, typically held in the final months of pregnancy, are joyous celebrations anticipating a new arrival. While some cultures prefer to wait until after the baby’s birth, adoptive parents may postpone the shower until the adoption is finalized and the child is home. Traditionally organized by close friends, relatives, or coworkers, baby showers revolve around showering the expectant parents with gifts. Hosting by immediate family was once considered inappropriate, but this tradition has evolved.
Initially, baby showers were exclusively for mothers-to-be, with only women in attendance, and were primarily held for the firstborn child. Today’s showers are more inclusive, often celebrating both parents and subsequent children, including adopted ones. The festivities typically include games, activities, gifts, and, of course, delicious food.
Here are some simple and popular baby shower recipe ideas to make your planning easier:
**Pizza Sandwiches**
Ingredients:
* Pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
* Low-fat cottage cheese
* English muffins
* Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce with 2-3 tablespoons of cottage cheese.
2. Spread the mixture onto one half of an English muffin.
3. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
**Creamy Tomato Soup**
Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 can condensed tomato soup
* Milk
* 1 tablespoon basil
* Shredded mozzarella or croutons (for topping)
Instructions:
1. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add the tomato soup.
3. Add milk (approximately the same amount as the tomato soup).
4. Add basil and cook slowly on low heat, ensuring it doesn’t boil.
5. Top with shredded mozzarella or croutons before serving.
**Cheese Balls**
Ingredients:
* ½ pound cheddar cheese (shredded or grated)
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 4 ounces Tabasco sauce
* 2 teaspoons minced onion
* Chopped nuts (for coating)
* 2 teaspoons catsup or chili sauce
Instructions:
1. Using a mixer or food processor, combine all ingredients until well blended. The cheese should be at room temperature for easier mixing.
2. Spoon the mixture into small bowls lined with plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. To serve, remove the wrap and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Serve with assorted crackers.
**Chicken Puffs**
Ingredients:
* 4 tablespoons butter
* ½ cup boiling water
* ½ cup all-purpose flour
* 2 eggs
* ½ cup shredded cheese
* 2 cups cooked chicken, finely chopped
* 2 tablespoons diced olives
* 2 tablespoons dry white wine
* ¼ cup mayonnaise
Instructions:
1. Melt butter in boiling water.
2. Add flour and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating briskly until smooth after each addition.
5. Stir in the shredded cheese.
6. Scoop teaspoon-sized amounts of dough onto a greased baking sheet.
7. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
8. Bake the puffs for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, cool, and split.
9. Combine the cooked chicken, olives, wine, and mayonnaise.
10. Fill each puff with approximately 2 teaspoons of the chicken mixture. Serve.
These recipes provide just a glimpse of the countless options available for baby showers. From sandwiches and finger foods to snacks, dips, and sweets, you’ll find a wealth of appetizing, simple, and easy-to-prepare choices to celebrate the parents-to-be.