A summery meal, nice enough to serve to guests, that can be mostly prepared ahead of time?

Question

We have guests coming tomorrow, but we've planned a full afternoon's worth of activities, so I need something delicious that doesn't need a lot of prep work--either something I can assemble and just put into the oven, or something that can come together very quickly on top of the stove. The obvious answer is grilling, but I'm just not very good at it (lack of skill, fear of fire). Something summery and a tiny bit elegant (i.e., no canned cream-of-mushroom soup involved--you get the idea) would be perfect. I'm just out of ideas. If you have anything to suggest, especially if it's something you have made yourself and really like, I would be so grateful. Thanks.

Answer 1

I've been cooking a whole lot of meals for guests lately, and here's what I've been making:

Bruschetta on garlic toasts - you can buy the toasts in the supermarket. For the bruschetta, I simply dice plum tomatoes and onions and combine with a minced garlic clove, freshly chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. This can be made two days ahead and refrigerated.

I've been making shrimp two ways, both with frozen, unpeeled shrimp that are quickly defrosted by placing them in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes.

In a pan I heat a tablespoon of olive oil, then add three minced garlic cloves and saute until brown. To this I add the shrimp and either: chopped basil and the juice of 1 lemon, OR chopped plum tomatoes, feta cheese and the juice of one lemon. Both are delicious and can be made a day ahead; they taste just as good when reheated the next day.

I've also been making baby lamb chops which take about 10-12 minutes and are super easy. Again heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then place lamb chops in pan and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Turn over after 5-6 minutes to allow the other side to get brown,and season as well. Remove and place on a plate; let them sit for 5 minutes before serving.

You don't even have to make salad if you serve the bruschetta.

For dessert I've been serving store-bought sorbets, like lemon or mango, topped with fresh raspberries. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Here's one of my favs.
Good luck and have a great weekend.

Italian Chopped Salad in Shells

36 appetizers 3¼ hours 3 hours prep

1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup coarsley chopped cooked chickens
1 cup coarsley chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup coarsley chopped cucumbers
3 ounces italian hard salami, chopped
1/3 cup roasted garlic vinaigrette dressing

Cook pasta shells as directed on the package.
Drain and cool.
Place remaining ingredients except vinaigrette in a medium bowl.
Pour vinaigrette over the salad, toss to coat.
Stuff the shells with the salad.
Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving

Answer 3

Don't be scared of grilling - it's easy once you get the hang of it. Fix shrimp kabobs ahead of time ( shrimp, cherry tomatos, onion, mushrooms, etc..) & marinate in italian dressing in the fridge. Get coals medium/hot & grill for about 5 minutes each side - shrimp will turn opaque when done. Serve with fresh fruit salad, mustard dill potato salad & grilled corn on the cob - all of which can either be made or at least prepped ahead of time......Enjoy the summer weather - winter will be here before you know it!

Answer 4

Start with gazpacho. Then paella and sangria. Then some chilled fruit, peaches, watermelon, oranges.

You can find recipes online pretty easily. Epicurious.com is one place. I know americastestkitchen.com has paella and sangria recipes. ATK does fool proof recipes. You can sign up for a guest membership and get free access for a few weeks.

I'll probably be doing the same for a get-together for some colleagues in a month. I'm going to try to include a pork shoulder roast, Puerto Rican style with crispy skin.

Answer 5

I have a lot of favorites ... here is one menu that varies depending on the season: - spicy shrimp consumme - crab rangoon - vegetarian lo mein - sweet coconut milk shrimp with cilantro & Thai peppers - chicken satay with a peanut sauce I also enjoy comfort food menu's: - o-bone roast in a pressure cooker with potatoes & carrots ... worcestshire ... simple and so comforting. I usually serve banana cream pie for dessert .. or some kind of cream pie. Lately, I've been making chili verde with a pork roast. I go to the farmers market and buy fresh anaheim peppers ... roast them on the grill ... cut up a boston butt pork roast .... slow-cooked verde after about 4-5 hours ... its a dream in the mouth!

Answer 6

Do bbq ribs in the crockpot.
Baked beans in the crockpot.
Corn on the cob,which takes very little time to prepare and cook
Crusty bread or rolls.
Fresh fruit platter for dessert.

Ribs are simple.
I cut them into serving size portions and simmer them for apprx. 30 minutes on top of the stove.
Drain and place in the crockpot layering with bbq sauce as you go along.Put extra sauce on the top layer.I cook them for about 6-8 hours on low.

Beans are simple also.
Tins of pork and beans with the juice drained off of them.
Place in the crockpot and add some mollasses,brown sugar,dry mustard and a bit of bbq sauce.Add all to your taste..Stir well and heat for apprx. 4 hours on low.

The corn can be peeled ahead of time and placed in a plastic bag in the frig.Even overnight.
Put into boiling water and when comes back to a boil after adding the corn,cook for 8 minutes.

On the fruit platter I would put,watermelon,cantelope,red and green grapes,fresh pineapple and some berries.(strawberries or whatever you like.)
If you want,add some plain sugar cookies to the platter.

Everytime I've done this I get rave reviews.Everyone loves this.

Answer 7

Try a lemon/shrimp pasta

Take a look at the following website and it may really help. you can look up the ablve recipe, too.

www.foodnetwork.com