World Cup Watch Party Catering Food Menu and Recipes from The Party Helpers San Jose Catering: Thursday, June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland

Country: Qatar

Menu: Chicken Machboos, Lamb or Beef Kebab Bites, Hummus with Warm Pita, Stuffed Dates with Nuts, Cucumber Tomato Herb Salad

Chicken Machboos with Spiced Rice

Ingredients:2 lb chicken thighs, 2 cups basmati rice, 1 onion diced, 3 garlic cloves minced, 1 can diced tomatoes, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 tsp baharat or allspice blend, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cinnamon, salt, pepper, olive oil.

Recipe:Brown chicken in olive oil. Remove. Sauté onion and garlic. Add spices, tomatoes, broth, and rice. Return chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer 25–30 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked. Shred or slice chicken and serve over the rice in small bowls.

Lamb or Beef Kebab Bites

Ingredients:2 lb ground lamb or beef, 1 grated onion, 3 garlic cloves minced, ¼ cup parsley, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp cinnamon, salt, pepper.

Recipe:Mix all ingredients. Form into small meatball-shaped kebab bites. Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes or grill on skewers until cooked through. Serve with yogurt sauce or hummus.

Hummus with Warm Pita

Ingredients:2 cans chickpeas drained, ¼ cup tahini, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp cumin, salt, warm pita.

Recipe:Blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, and salt until smooth. Add water as needed. Serve in a bowl with olive oil on top and warm pita wedges.

Stuffed Dates with Nuts

Ingredients:24 Medjool dates, 24 almonds or walnuts, 4 oz goat cheese or cream cheese, honey, chopped pistachios.

Recipe:Slice dates lengthwise and remove pits. Fill each with cheese and one nut. Drizzle lightly with honey and sprinkle with pistachios.

Cucumber, Tomato, and Herb Salad

Ingredients:3 cucumbers diced, 3 tomatoes diced, ½ red onion minced, ½ cup parsley, ¼ cup mint, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper.

Recipe:Toss vegetables and herbs together. Dress with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chill before serving.

Country: Switzerland

Menu: Mini Cheese Fondue Cups, Bread Cubes, Rosti Potato Bites, Cocktail Sausages, Swiss Chocolate Squares

Mini Cheese Fondue Cups

Ingredients:2 cups shredded Gruyère, 2 cups shredded Emmental, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 cup dry white wine or broth, 1 garlic clove, pinch nutmeg, mini cups.

Recipe:Rub pot with garlic. Warm wine or broth. Toss cheese with cornstarch, then slowly melt into liquid. Add nutmeg. Spoon into small cups and serve warm with bread cubes.

Bread Cubes for Dipping

Ingredients:1 large rustic loaf, olive oil, salt.

Recipe:Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Toast at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until lightly crisp. Serve beside fondue cups or on skewers.

Rosti Potato Bites

Ingredients:4 large potatoes grated, 1 egg, ¼ cup flour, salt, pepper, butter or oil.

Recipe:Squeeze moisture from grated potatoes. Mix with egg, flour, salt, and pepper. Form small patties. Pan-fry until golden on both sides or bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Cocktail Sausages

Ingredients:2 lb cocktail sausages, ½ cup mustard, ¼ cup honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

Recipe:Warm sausages in a skillet or slow cooker. Mix mustard, honey, and vinegar. Toss sausages in sauce and serve with toothpicks.

Swiss Chocolate Squares

Ingredients:Assorted Swiss-style chocolate bars, berries, powdered sugar.

Recipe:Cut chocolate into small squares. Arrange on a tray with berries. Lightly dust berries with powdered sugar for presentation.