One quick question about AI etiquette...
 

I was invited to XYZ's next meeting and it is a casual luncheon being held at an alumnae's house. Growing up, my mother taught me that you should always bring the hostess a "gift" of sorts (nice plant in a basket, bottle of wine for a dinner event, etc) and this is a rule I have always followed.

We are supposed to bring a side dish/dessert to share (I'm whipping out my awesome Pina Colada cheesecake recipe) and I am inclined to additionally bring a nice plant in a basket since I've only met the hostess a few times, but would I come across as looking like I am trying to hard?

Naturally I want to make a great impression, but I fear being branded a suck-up...Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance! :)

I think in this situation you should go ahead and bring both things. I don't think it looks like you are sucking up. I think it looks classy and mature. I also think it would make an excellent 2nd impression. I know that many women would appreciate the gesture.

Pina Colada Cheesecake????? I wanna come!

I agree. The two things are fine.

Re: One quick question about AI etiquette...
 

Bring the hostess gift, good manners are *always* in style!

Pina Colada Cheesecake.....since I can't be there...

POST THE RECIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in a situation like that recently where I wasn't sure a hostess gift was appropriate--it was a Alumnae Panhellenic party at the president's home. I decided on a box of gourmet chocolate with a pretty ribbon as the hostess gift--figuring she could put it out with the dessert course and it wouldn't feel like I was totally sucking up or trying to make anyone else look bad.

Have fun!

Re: Re: One quick question about AI etiquette...
 

That's what I'm talking 'bout! :D Spill it!

Pina Colada Cheesecake recipe!
 

Pina Colada Cheesecake
From Southern Living

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted (I prefer untoasted)
2 tablespoon sugar

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
5 large eggs
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup cream of coconut
1/3 cup light rum
4 teaspoons coconut extract

Pineapple Glaze:
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp water
1 (8oz.) can crushed pineapple
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Whipped Cream and toasted coconut to garnish


Stir together first 4 ingredients, and press into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a lightly greased 10-inch springform pan.

Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer 3 minutes or until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pineapple and next 4 ingredients, beating until blended. Pour mixture into crust.

Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack.

For the glaze, stir cornstarch and water together until smooth, combine with pineapple, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat for 5 minutes or until thich and bubbly. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Pour pineapple glaze over the top of the cooled off cheesecake while it is still in the pan. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Remove from springform pan before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and toasted coconut around the edges, if desired.


FloridaTish's Notes: I have made a few changes to this recipe, as it was originally in the December 2001 issue of Southern Living. I took out the sour cream that it called for (who needs more fat?) and I added an extra tablespoon of sugar to the crust mix. Additionally, instead of buying coconut extract that I probably wouldn't use much, I just used 1/3 C of Malibu Rum to cover the rum and coconut ingredients (Malibu Rum is coconut flavored in case you didn't know). If you don't like pecans toasted, untoasted would work just as well...Everyone I know who has tried it, loved it! I made it for the 1st time last weekend for Mother's day & my hubby's family was very impressed with how it turned out. Since I've been good with my diet, I brought the rest to the folks at my office and it was gone in a matter of minutes!


Yield: Makes 1 (10-inch) cake

Very Dietetic right?:D

Definitely not low fat...
 

This is not a diet food by any means...I've been on a low carb lifestyle for a while now, so I only let myself have a very thin sliver and let the family and coworkers have the rest. It was delicious if I do say so myself!

Re: Definitely not low fat...
 

Darn!! I was hoping you'd say that if I ate enough of this whenever I wanted, I'd be rail thin in no time! :)

I love cheesecake! Thanks for posting the recipe. And good luck at your event.

Thanks!
 

The get together was very fun...Nice and relaxing and the cheescake turned out fabu!

The sister who hosted was truly suprised by the potted plant I brought and mentioned to me how very sweet it was that I did so!

I guess it's the southern gal in me who tries to always do the "proper" thing!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! :D

I am so glad that you had a good time at your event. I'm sure your extra "gift" was much appreciated by the hostess. In my opinion, I don't think it was "sucking up" to bring something additional - I would regard it as very considerate and thoughtful. It only shows your desire to the members that you want to become a part of that organization.

The cheesecake sounds DEVINE - I would make it myself but I can't cook worth a DARN!
;)

Thats wonderful that you had a good time. I don't think the gift sounded like sucking up. (It wasn't like you were giving her cash for membership). Do you feel like this group could be where your "home" is?

Glad you erred on the good side of judgement!

Women do like those small touches, but I would like as most guys would a bit of a whole Pina Colada Cake.

I can PM you my address to send one to me! Not a potted plant of course!;)

Nummy, Nummy, something good for the Tummy!

Hell, if I bought all of the ingredients, some that I never heard of the rest would go to waste.:confused: