4th of July Fare?!
Yikes! Our quiet 4th of July has suddenly turned into a cookout for 20, and I'm a busy woman without time to prepare a feast. What would you do if you were me? I'm all for burgers and dogs but I like to entertain with a little more panache. I welcome your suggestions.
Here's the menu so far:
Cold penne salad with brie, sundried tomatoes, basil (New Basics adaptation)
Grilled boneless leg of lamb marinated in garlic, rosemary and olive oil...but served with...??? I'd like some kind of sauce or relish
Ubiquitous Burgers ...lettuce, tomato, cheddar and blue cheese on the side
Ubiquitous Dogs (and some dogs stuffed with cheese and jalapeno from "How to Grill")
Potato Salad (I cheated and bought really good fresh mayonnaise)
Strawberry Shortcake
Peach icecream (gotta test out the new icecream maker)
Brownies (just made 'em)
Help! I always have too much food but I feel like I'm missing a big chunk of something.
Thanks fellow hounds. I have a rep to uphold.
Dipsy
Jul 03, 2003 12:38AM
Sounds like you have it pretty well covered. My suggestion would be some kind of a vegetable. Maybe some grilled veggies - use the same marinade as you're using for the lamb. Or a green salad or spinach salad. Your party sounds like it will be a good one! Enjoy!
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Yes, a salad will be added. The guest list keeps growing as well. I hope they come hungry!
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Nigella Lawson has a really good recipe in the new book - a salad with watermelon,feta, mint and chilis (think). It is really refreshing and would provide traditional watermelon for the 4th. Unfortunately I don't have the recipe here at work and I don't remember it entirely. I did get the recipe from the internet so googling on Nigela Lawson and poking around a bit ought to find it. Good Luck ! It sounds like a grea meal!
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I have the book and I'm considering adding this one as well. We'll see how I'm doing timewise in the morning. It sounds divine.
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You need a bit of spice... How about some Mango salsa?
Mangos, sweet onion, tomatos, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and a bit of sea salt and sugar to taste... You can also use pineapple in addition to or to replace the mango. Use one of those ultra sweet and ripe "Gold" pineapples.
I sometimes also make the salsa and add extra water and lime juice. After chilling the salsa for a bit I strain off the excess liquid and have an incredibly tasty tart and tangy drink that I use mixed with tequila as a shot or as a chaser for quality tequila. Very, very tasty.
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Rogue, you are so right about the spice. However my acupuncturist has just told me I must forgo spicy food for a while. I'm in deep mourning and I'm afraid my guests are going to have to suffer alongside me this 4th. This is what a girl gets for having a "fire liver".
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Feels to me like you need a fresh cool salad. Tomatoes, Cukes, Feta, and Red Onion would go with the lamb. Also, tzatziki (yogurt, garlic, cucumber, salt) would go with the lamb. Maybe add pita triangles to dip. Also maybe cold, steamed green beans with dressing. For a seafood dish, you could try cold shrimp, cannelini (white beans), olive oil, roasted red peppers, garlic, and parsley.
Have a great time!
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Thanks Lucia. I could go for that salad right now.
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No salmon? No peas?
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that's what I'll be having...then lobbies on Saturday. Can't wait!
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What's a lobby? Is it edible?
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lobster...salmon and peas is a new england/maine thing. Or, at least I think of it that way.
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No shad roe?
Whatever happened to the canonical Independence Day meal of salmon, peas, roe, followed by strawberry shortcake?
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Well I asked my Chowderhead spouse about this and he grimaced. He refuses to discuss it other than to say if I brought it up one more time he was gonna hurl. Apparently where he grew up in Mass., salmon and peas involved canned salmon. Blech!
But based on your suggestion, adapted for spousal tastes, we decided to add some fresh salmon to the menu. I was going to grill it with a pineapple ginger glaze but he asked me to poach instead and serve it cold. "Sure, no problem" says I. Phew. It's done. I mean it's easy enough but he didn't seem to realize that I Am A Busy Woman. So there will be salmon and there will be snowpeas on the crudite platter and that's as much as I can contribute to this bit of Americana!
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What a Woman!!!!
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A mint pesto sauce for the lamb might be nice.
No time to cook? veggie platters and fruit bowls pre-made from a good grocer, no shame there...
To go with the burgers, dogs and lamb... you could wrap some baking potatoes (cut into quarters lengthwise)in foil and put them on the coals to cook.
Enjoy!
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Mmmmm. Do you make mint pesto just like basil pesto? I bought a huge bunch this afternoon.
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A good veggie platter would do wonders. Recently at a party, I made one with red and yellow peppers, precut baby carrots, snow peas, grape tomatoes, and celery. All the cutting up took me about 5 minutes, and it tooke me another 5 to whirl up my homemade dip (avocado, yogurt, cilantro, lime juice and salt processed until it's very smooth and creamy.
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Caitlin - you're an angel. I have my veggies all prepped and am going to make the dip in the morning. It sounds great. :-)
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Can you please give me ratios for the aforementioned dip? Sounds yummy...
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A fresh herb sauce would match well w/ the lamb and keep the menu fresh (but it sounds great as is! :)
Maybe something like a chimichurri- fresh parsley, balsamic, garlic, touch of red pepper and olive oil (cilantro might overwhelm and/or might not appeal to some palates)- blend or pound together w/ mortar and pestle....just needs a little time for flavors to blend, but really easy and really good!
I think your rep is going to be just fine ;). Happy Independence Day!
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Sorry- key component to this herb sauce is fresh lemon or lime juice. Sorry!
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I agree that that sounds Great with the LEMON or lime juice. I would also add some lemon juice to the lamb, as the french say "ala Greque".
I am hesitant, but I like tzatziki sauce with lamb(and with everything else!)
Quick version:
Sour Cream (I use Breakstones)
Cucumber, finely Grated, not shredded
Garlic, crushed
Mix all ingredients together, let stand ten minutes, or more, before serving.
Salt, pepper, lemon juice, vinegar, fresh dill weed, parsley, fresh mint leaves, etc, etc, add any one or combination of the above to your taste.
Enjoy!!!
Image: http://www.surprisechef.com.au/images...
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Sony - I think I'm going to take a stab at this. I bought (!) a sort of roasted pepper eggplant sauce that should be nice but I love the sound of this too. Thanks!
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i know you're incredibely busy but could you post the penne pasta salad recipe? it sounds wonderful
thanks
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Brain dead now but can you remind me next week and I'll be happy to share it!
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What is the world coming to! Two threads about July 4th food and no mention of bbq or fried chicken. I'm glad I live where I do, where I'll have bbq and fresh peach ice cream at the Gilbert, SC, Peach Festival. Eat your hearts out!
I can't have the sweetened ice tea, though, since I'm forbidden caffeine.
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Sandy - I'm inviting you next year but you're going to be responsible for the barbecue and/or fried chicken. Thanks!
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wow, for a busy woman, sounds like you have a lot covered! not sure if you're having any vegetarians at your party, but you might want to have a package of veggie dogs (i like yves tofu dogs) on hand just in case. i think someone else suggested a cool salad. i saw this recipe on cooking live yesterday and thought it looked good.
also, not sure what part of the country you're in, but i like to create my menus around what's in season. if you post your region, maybe you'll get some options that will take advantage of what's ripe, delish and plentiful in your area.
happy fourth!
Link: http://www.foodtv.com/food/recipes/re...
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Yeah - the menu is a little vegetarian unfriendly. I shall add this to my spouse's morning To Do list. I believe the majority are carnivores but it would be a good idea to cover all bases.
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too late, but maybe a grabable fruit plate(nothing you have to cut!). i have set one of these up many times, and people love it.
peaches,grapes, apricots, cherries, lychee...etc. pile em up pretty and people can help themselves!
happy 4th, Jill
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my 4th of July must-have - sparkling sangria! this is great if you already have a fruit platter in the works...yum yum!
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