Recipes

[ahoymate]

R U kidding? No good bread in California? I live here and can testify there are lots of artisian bakeries that make GREAT bread. Not in the valley maybe. Major cities on the coast. TONS of great bread. BTY: sourdough originated here. But there are lots of great places/bakeries making great bread.

IMHO: serving the same dish again is really a bore. Variety is what makes life interesting.

[SandPiper]

@house_cat I actually had a tea party last month. Some of the items I made have to be done the same day. However, I made a a bisquick zucchini bake (just google). I made it the day before, next day took it out of the frig to get to room temp and cut into small squares. It was a hit. I also made herb cream cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes.i made the filling day before and stuffed tomatoes next day. They also were really good. Tea partys are fun. 

[house_cat]

@ahoymate

I grew up on Italian bread from bakeries in Brooklyn and Queens. In my opinion, nothing compares.  I'm glad you've found good bakeries in your area - I'm still looking.

[house_cat]

@SandPiper

I have a Bisquick zucchini quiche (one of their 'impossible pies') recipes that I've made for my friends many times. They love it.  I could cut it into squares and serve it in cupcake papers to make it a little prettier :-)

[SandPiper]

@house_cat I like that idea. It will look so nice.  And it makes enough for a tea party and you can make it the night before. 👏👏👏

[qualitygal]

Tray of little sandwiches, various chips, various pickles. Simplify.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Don't forget about the vegetarians.

[house_cat]

Here's my latest thought - I'll make a large Caesar salad and have grilled shrimp and grilled chicken for my guests to add as they prefer.  I have a wonderful recipe for pesto chicken, which I usually serve hot, but I could definitely make it ahead and slice it to serve room temp on the salad.

If the Caesar salad were my main luncheon dish, what might be a couple of good ideas for sides?  It's going to be hot here, so I'd prefer not to serve soup. I think the zucchini quiche would be a good choice, but I'd like a couple more.

Thank you all for the help... as much as I enjoy cooking and entertaining, I always second, third, fourth and fifth guess myself when it comes to the menu.

[sabatini]

@house_cat, I think your menu is really shaping up, & sounds great!  

Would you maybe like to serve some small roasted red potatoes, or a creamy orzo?

[bluehost]

Small red twice baked potatoes stuffed with sour cream or creme fraiche & caviar!!!!! Yummmy!!!!!

https://www.marthastewart.com/1156532/twice-cooked-potatoes-caviar