If you can't make it to the islands, bring the taste of the islands to your home with an island theme dinner party.
An island theme dinner party is an entertaining way to mimic a quick, fun and delicious getaway to your favorite island destination. Think about your most unforgettable island vacation and jot down your favorite memories of the atmosphere, food, sounds, smells and small details that made it so enjoyable. Once you have some ideas, you can start to re-create that wonderful island experience in your own home.
Table Settings
Make cocktails look as good as they taste with themed decorative details.
Decorate the table with sea shells, sand dollars and starfish. Put tropical flowers--real or fake, depending on your budget--such as birds-of -paradise and hibiscuses, in a vase as a centerpiece. Set the table with a colorful island-themed tablecloth and placemats made of linen, bamboo or other natural materials. Decorate cups and glasses with drink umbrellas, sliced tropical fruits and colorful straws.
Ambiance
Don't be a fish out of water at your own island theme party--dress the part.
Music can instantly transform a typical dinner party into a memorable sensory experience. Play a relaxed soundtrack with soothing ocean waves or a more upbeat mix of steel drum, reggae, salsa and Hawaiian-inspired ukulele songs.
Choose from among your most comfortable and colorful tropical print shirts, sarongs, shorts and sandals for your party outfit. Encourage your dinner guests to dress accordingly or have costume items from a party goods store, such as leis and grass skirts, prepared for donning upon their arrival.
Dinner
Choose a single island for your dinner theme or bring the taste of all the world's islands to your party table.
Islands from different regions around the world feature diverse cuisines. Pick one specific island for your inspiration or just select your preferred dishes from each destination to make up your island feast.
Hawaii
Hawaiian roasted pork: If you don't have access to a whole suckling pig for roasting, use a recipe for Hawaiian-style roast pork tenderloins or rump roasts. Many of these recipes are readily available online.
Grilled seafood skewers: Serve shrimp, scallops and seafood reminiscent of the fresh daily catches available on the islands.
Pineapple upside-down cake: Hawaii is known for its delicious pineapples. One of many ways to incorporate them into your Hawaiian meal is with a simple pineapple upside-down cake.
Caribbean
Jerk chicken and mango salsa: Jerk is a popular Jamaican spice blend that gets rubbed on chicken or other meats. Specialty stores and most supermarkets sell Jamaican jerk in the form of dried spices or a marinade. Combine mango, bell peppers, onions and other seasonings for a refreshing, cold garnish or side dish.
Fried plantains: Plantains are larger and contain more starch than regular bananas. Served salty or sweet, they're often featured as a side dish in Caribbean cuisine.
Caribbean style rice and beans: Mix rice with black or kidney beans, onion, garlic and other spices for a flavorful complement to any main Caribbean dish.
Bali (Southeast Asia)
Beef satay: This dish consists of beef skewers flavored with sweet soy sauce.
Chicken coconut curry: Infuse coconut flavors with curry powder for an island-inspired chicken curry dish and serve it with rice.
Island fruit salad: For a healthy, refreshing dessert, make a salad with tropical fruits such as mango, guava and lychees.
Drinks
With every great island meal comes refreshing drinks. Mix up a batch of pina coladas, strawberry daquiris, or tropical fruit punch for your guests. These can be served with or without alcohol. Some other island drink options with alcohol include mai tais,and mojitos.
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