topic Re: Luncheon Menu Advice... in Community Chat

Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:17:31 GMT

I have having 3 women over for lunch tomorrow. My former assistant just had a baby in November, she is coming with her daughter and two more people from the office are coming to see the baby.

It is supposed to be about 15 degrees outside.

I am making my own variation of Jill's Cheesy Pasta Bake (with Italian sausage, peppers & onions), a simple green salad (don't know what to put in it), warm garlic bread.

What should we have for dessert? Am I too "carb heavy"? Should I skip the bread? Anything missing?

I posted on Food...lots of lookers, no advice!

Thanks friends...

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Cakers1 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:21:12 GMT

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

JustJules — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:23:08 GMT

Your lunch sounds delicious for a cold winter day. As for dessert, what about some fruit? Perhaps do an angel food cake or get a pound cake, or those little individual short cakes, and serve with some strawberries and raspberries, could even add some blueberries for color and variety. Make some fresh whipped cream to serve on the side. Would make a simple and somewhat healthy dessert choice, and refreshing after the pasta lunch.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

serenity4ever — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:24:03 GMT

Maybe fresh fruit for dessert? If someone is watching carbs, you could add different vegetables to the salad...maybe chopped green and yellow peppers, green onions, tomatoes and on the side some shredded cheese. That way if a person doesn't eat pasta, they can make the salad into their main entree. BTW, your menu sounds relish! Good luck!

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:26:32 GMT

On 1/16/2014 Cakers1 said:
It is a lot of carbs but I wouldn't skip the bread. The salad will balance out your carbs.

I usually go with a scoop of gelato or some panna cotta (you can find a mix for that) - you want something light after pasta.

How about limoncello gelato with blueberries or some other berries on top?

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Cakers1 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:33:05 GMT

On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/16/2014 Cakers1 said:
It is a lot of carbs but I wouldn't skip the bread. The salad will balance out your carbs.

I usually go with a scoop of gelato or some panna cotta (you can find a mix for that) - you want something light after pasta.

How about limoncello gelato with blueberries or some other berries on top?

That would work nicely. You want to keep your dessert light with pasta, imo. Fruit is another good suggestion but for me I find it too filling on its own. Oops, I edited the wrong post.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

sunshine45 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:12:20 GMT

i answered your question on the other thread, but i would do a bowl of mixed berries, freshly whipped cream, and a homemade loaf pound cake or angel food cake. your guests can use one, two, or all three for a berry shortcake.

i say keep the garlic bread and make a big green salad with lots of vegetables (romaine, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, etc....) and serve with an italian dressing and a balsamic vinaigrette. you could also do a simpler caesar salad. i also like a field green/arugula salad with crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries or granny smith apples, candied walnuts or pecans, cherub tomatoes, red onion, wonton strips, and slices of hard boiled egg. serve with a champagne vinaigrette OR a raspberry vinaigrette.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Catitude — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:33:02 GMT

Chocolate covered strawberries would be nice.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:34:26 GMT

On 1/16/2014 sunshine45 said:
i answered your question on the other thread, but i would do a bowl of mixed berries, freshly whipped cream, and a homemade loaf pound cake or angel food cake. your guests can use one, two, or all three for a berry shortcake.

i say keep the garlic bread and make a big green salad with lots of vegetables (romaine, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, etc....) and serve with an italian dressing and a balsamic vinaigrette. you could also do a simpler caesar salad. i also like a field green/arugula salad with crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries or granny smith apples, candied walnuts or pecans, cherub tomatoes, red onion, wonton strips, and slices of hard boiled egg. serve with a champagne vinaigrette OR a raspberry vinaigrette.

Your ideas are great...thank you!

I never know what to put in a salad.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:34:59 GMT

On 1/16/2014 Opurra said:
Chocolate covered strawberries would be nice.

WOW...that is a great idea...light, fruity but also special.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Topaz Gem — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:36:34 GMT

I say go wild, LOL. With that menu, tiramisu would be delightful (you could still have the strawberries too).

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Catitude — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:39:08 GMT

On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/16/2014 Opurra said:
Chocolate covered strawberries would be nice.

WOW...that is a great idea...light, fruity but also special.

Absolutely! I think they would be perfect.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

muttmom — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:55:05 GMT

Unless you know everyone likes a specific salad dressing, I would serve it on the side. Also, I would do warm bread but skip the garlic and butter in favor of olive oil.

Fresh berries and cream or gelato sound like a perfect dessert.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

NoelSeven — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:55:10 GMT

sunshine and I like the same kind of salads Maybe serve crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, etc. in small side bowls so people can add their own.

Coffee and a variety of teas to choose from: herbal, black and jasmine green.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:59:18 GMT

On 1/16/2014 muttmom said:
Unless you know everyone likes a specific salad dressing, I would serve it on the side. Also, I would do warm bread but skip the garlic and butter in favor of olive oil.

Fresh berries and cream or gelato sound like a perfect dessert.

I was going to warm the bread (semolina loaf from our local food co-op) in the oven with garlic oil.

Maybe I should just have dipping bowls for the oil?

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

sunshine45 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:05:01 GMT

On 1/16/2014 NoelSeven said:
sunshine and I like the same kind of salads Maybe serve crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, etc. in small side bowls so people can add their own.

Coffee and a variety of teas to choose from: herbal, black and jasmine green.

i eat one at least once a day! feta cheese, pears, golden raisins, toasted sesame seeds or pine nuts, dried cherries are also good in some salads. the list is pretty much endless.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:08:07 GMT

On 1/16/2014 Topaz Gem said:
I say go wild, LOL. With that menu, tiramisu would be delightful (you could still have the strawberries too).

Wegmans makes a great tiramisu.

If they don't want any...I guess I could polish it off later!

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

NoelSeven — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:08:36 GMT

On 1/16/2014 sunshine45 said:
On 1/16/2014 NoelSeven said:
sunshine and I like the same kind of salads Maybe serve crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, etc. in small side bowls so people can add their own.

Coffee and a variety of teas to choose from: herbal, black and jasmine green.

i eat one at least once a day! feta cheese, pears, golden raisins, toasted sesame seeds or pine nuts, dried cherries are also good in some salads. the list is pretty much endless.

Me, too! I've started eating a small amount of fruit with each meal and I love it in salad.

I can't remember if you have a Trader Joe's or not, but if so, they have dried cranberries with a little orange in them that are great in salads. They're softer than regular dried cran and a little plumper. I like them Oh, and TJ also carries a really good Israeli crumbled feta.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:10:00 GMT

On 1/16/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 1/16/2014 sunshine45 said:
On 1/16/2014 NoelSeven said:
sunshine and I like the same kind of salads Maybe serve crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, etc. in small side bowls so people can add their own.

Coffee and a variety of teas to choose from: herbal, black and jasmine green.

i eat one at least once a day! feta cheese, pears, golden raisins, toasted sesame seeds or pine nuts, dried cherries are also good in some salads. the list is pretty much endless.

Me, too! I've started eating a small amount of fruit with each meal and I love it in salad.

I can't remember if you have a Trader Joe's or not, but if so, they have dried cranberries with a little orange in them that are great in salads. They're softer than regular dried cran and a little plumper. I like them Oh, and TJ also carries a really good Israeli crumbled feta.

We just got a TJ and I actually have some dried cranberries left over from our Christmas salad.

Re: Luncheon Menu Advice...

Catitude — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:20:56 GMT

On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/16/2014 muttmom said:
Unless you know everyone likes a specific salad dressing, I would serve it on the side. Also, I would do warm bread but skip the garlic and butter in favor of olive oil.

Fresh berries and cream or gelato sound like a perfect dessert.

I was going to warm the bread (semolina loaf from our local food co-op) in the oven with garlic oil.

Maybe I should just have dipping bowls for the oil?

The dipping bowls with oil and dried herbs on the side would be a nice touch.