Menu Suggestions for Summer Party?

Question

I am having a picnic party for around 10 people. I need ideas for recipes that are easy to prepare and will be okay in hot weather. There is no place to BBQ and I will need to prepare the food beforehand. Thanks!

Answer 1

I love picnics! Since you'll be transporting all of the food,you might consider decorative containers, such as some of the lovely "take out" containers available in hobby or novelty stores (Wishing Well, Michaels' etc.). Even though you are picnicking, please consider bringing real tableclothes and festive napkins and cutlery for your dishes. Here are some ideas for food:

1. Grilled chicken that's been marinated overnight in Italian dressing. This chicken is great either hot, warm, or cold, and keeps well.
2. Fresh bread and butter, such as a nice Potato Rosemary bread.
3. Cheeses such as Spanish Manchengo, Irish Cheddar, and a Mushroom Brie or Fontina.
4. Caprese salad with fresh mozarella and tomatos, plus basil and olive oil dressing is great at room temperature
5. Watermelon chunks mixed with pineapple and cantalope are great when tossed with gran marnier or chambord.
6. Cookies and brownies or cupcakes are easy to tote and great because you can hold them in your hand.
7. An ice chest filled with your favorite sodas and waters, along with a nice Pinot Grigio and Merlot.

Have fun and don't forget the bug spray!

Answer 2

Sloppy-Joes
(keep the meat in a crock pot - you will need to double the recipe if there will be 10 people)

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 5 tomatoes, diced
• 2 Tbls all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chili sauce (Heinz)
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 8 whole-wheat hamburger buns (toasted)

Crumble beef into a large nonstick skillet; cook over medium heat until it starts to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft and the moisture has evaporated, 8-10 minutes. Add tomatoes and flour; stir to combine. Stir in water, vinegar, chili sauce and ketchup and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the onion is very tender, 8-10 minutes. Serve warm on buns.


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Summer Spaghetti Salad

• 16 oz. thin spaghetti, broken
• 3 medium tomatoes, diced
• 3 small zucchini, diced
• 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
• 1 each red and green pepper, diced
• 8 oz. Italian salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoons celery seed
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber and peppers. In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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Seven-Fruit Salad

• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups watermelon balls
• 2 medium nectarines, thinly sliced
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 large banana, thinly sliced
• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and chopped

In a bowl, combine the lime juice, water and sugar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add nectarines and banana; toss to coat. In a 2-1/2 qt. glass bowl, combine the remaining fruits. Add nectarine mixture; stir gently. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Answer 3

French food and music would be a must! I'm sure online you could buy some props- an Eiffel tower or something like that! You could have different french cheeses, croissants, cavier. . . Just buy a french cook book and steal some ideas from that.

Answer 4

Pasta salad with loads of veggies in an Italian dressing will keep great in a cooler. Just make it the day before so the pasta can marinate.

Answer 5

Fried chicken( cold.) is always good, with cucumbers and tomatoes. Some apples slices, orange and mango.Sme frozen berries, and or grapes.. Chips and Ice tea....
Nice and cool and good.

Answer 6

http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=45693
here are good yummy things and easy

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_parties/article/0,1972,FOOD_9870_2029448,00.html
here too