Menu Help, Please

[shscharles]

It's my turn to have Book Group in August. We've been together for 12 years so every imaginable combination has been tried. There are 9 of us, and some very good cooks!

I'd like to serve a watermelon and feta salad, just for something new…but am having difficulty coming up with an entree that can be done ahead and just plated at the last minute.

Any ideas? Composed salad such as Nicoise or Cobb? I will be serving buffet-style…trays on laps; so fork food is preferable, as is a bread side that does not need to be buttered.


Drawing a blank here…please help!

[Sheila in MD]

Given that it is summer and you are in MD meaning likely hot and humid in August:-)...what about an assortment of salads? Say the watermelon feta one..then perhaps a pasta one of some sort with grilled chicken or something along those lines (I love the CL Shrimp couscous salad!) and then maybe a roasted or grilled veggie one. A nice cheese bread of some kind that is warmed in the oven? Dessert...brownies with a really nice ice cream and homemade hot fudge (easy to make BTW!)?

Can appreciate it though if you prefer more of a traditional entree.

Sheila in MD

[LadyWild]

If you want to be really crazy, look at some of the beer cooler sous vide recipes. You can, and should, put your meat in your cooler ahead of time. It gets to the perfect temperature and stays there. Then, you could brown it, if appropriate, or for some things, just serve it.

[PurplePotato]

How about:

veggie pasta salad

mini veggie sandwiches (pesto, grilled eggplant & tomato, fresh mozz)

mini prosciutto/fresh mozzarella sandwiches

bruchetta or stuffed tomatoes

egg salad/smoked salmon tea sandwiches, fresh pea/mint/parm salad

[heavy hedonist]

Nigella's Watermelon & Feta salad with black olives is actually very filling-- i serve it as dinner all the time.

[shscharles]

Thanks, everyone for your suggestions!

The watermelon salad will be pretty spectacular, so I'm leaning towards a simple steamed (or grilled) shrimp on a bed of Caesar dressed greens and garlic cheese rolls. For dessert, I'll mix mascarpone with whipped cream and limoncello and layer into parfait glasses with mixed fresh berries.

That should do it…and all done ahead or simply assembled!