Labor Day Weekend menu

[shoyski]

Hi Folks. My family has a reunion during this weekend and each family is responsible
for a meal.

Any suggestions for a lunch that involves about 30 people, about a third of them kids?

One caveat...Whatever I make needs to either travel well or be able to put together easily since I'm usually on my own for this (my meal lands during the day "the men" play golf and come home hungry)

Thanks

[shoyski]

This is cheating but I thought I'd bring my question to the top and give it one more try.

[christinew]

Wow! Some responsibility you have. How a out roast beef with various rolls and of course cheese and side items. Everyone loves salads...pasta and/or potatoes. And my favorite topic of all is green beans and how to prepare them. You could make a green bean salad with almonds, pototoes, and bacon with a vinagarette.

Christine

[lindrusso]

shoyski,

I have to admit that this one stumps me, but here are some ideas:

I have a recipe for a terrific pasta salad that uses shiitake mushrooms, bacon, sundried tomatoes (were you one of those that don't like them???), and black olives, but would a crowd of hungry men go for it??? I think it would travel pretty well - you could pre-prepare most of the stuff, carry it in separate containers, and then just toss it all together at the end.

I also have a recipe for a very good turkey salad with almonds, tarragon and pineapple. Warning (not apology!) - neither of these recipes are at all light, but they can be adjusted if necessary.

Let me know if you are interested in either of these recipes and I'll happily post them.

[Ohioan]

Kelly's post about meatballs on the "Frozen Dinner" thread gave me an idea for your lunch. How about do-it-yourself heroes, with a bucket of meatballs in sauce, plus sides of roasted peppers, hot peppers, shredded veggies, and other condiments? Set out loaves of Italian or French bread, or crusty rolls, and let everyone construct his or her own sandwiches. A tub of tossed greens salad would be all you'd need alongside -- or the shredded veggies might be enough for a salad.

Phoebe

[shoyski]

Tell you what...I think I've got the ideas I need, thanks to you guys. Now it's a toss up as to what I do. Lindrusso, I would like the turkey salad recipe, please. And thanks again, everybody!

[lindrusso]

Shoyski,

Here's the recipe. If you want to save some time you could try buying some roasted chicken or turkey and then just starting at the marinating stage. My directions are a little vague, and I can't remember if you are supposed to drain the marinade before tossing with mayo and cream. I think I tried to drain some while making sure not to lose the parsley, scallions, etc.

TURKEY SALAD

Turkey:
1 6-pound turkey breast (about 8 cups)
2 cans condensed chicken broth
2 onions, stuck with 4 whole cloves each
1 celery stalk with leaves, chopped
4 medium carrots, pared
2 teaspoons salt
10 whole peppercorns
1 bay leaf

Combine the above ingredients plus 2 cups water in an 8-quart kettle and cook turkey until tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Let stand and cool. Reserve broth for another use, if desired.

Marinade:
1/4 cup salad oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon onion juice
2 1/2 teaspoons dried tarragon
3/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Salad:
2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup light cream
6 stalks celery, chopped (about 4 cups)
1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
lettuce
watercress
1/2 cup (I used more) blanched whole almonds

Remove skin from turkey. Chop turkey into bite-size pieces. Prepare marinade. Marinate turkey for at least on hour. Toss marinated turkey with light cream and mayonnaise and chill. Add celery and pineapple and chill. Add almonds. Serve with lettuce and watercress.

[Kristilyn1]

Speaking from experience--a group of hungry men would fall upon the meatball subs like an invading army. You would feel like a fraudulent cook (if you were like me and purchased the meatballs with a tub of jarred sauce) but those men would think you were the Goddess of The Kitchen and fall at your feet.

Kristi