[shroomgirl]

Anyone doing 'cool' food this summer.....it's been in the 90's all week with humidity...ugh.

[Gunnar]

actually today I am serving a cold dinner for some co-workers of my wife. A simple little thing for 25 people.


3 bean salad- no canned beans, parsley, small dice red onion and a sweet red wine vinaigrette.

Potato salad - mayo, mustard, capers and brine, fresh dill , small dice red onion and celery

Whole Roasted Herbed Chicken- stuffed with lemon and thyme, I will be pulling these out of the ice chest and carving at site.

dessert is going to be a simple strawberry parfait


this is what happens when you bring the best dishes to the potlucks..you get roped into everything..not that I don't enjoy the compliments

[shroomgirl]

one of my favorite summer salads is watermelon, red onions and raspberry vinaigrette

[marmalady]

summer succotash salad always a big hit here, and you can vary the ingredients and dressing to suit a 'theme' if there is one.

fresh corn off cob
chopped heirloom tomatoes
fresh butter beans/black eyed peas/lady peas
celery
diced spring onions
'baby' asparagus spears
parsley

Dressings I've done have been a Mex theme with the usual - cilantro, lime,cumin, cayenne, sherry vinegar, oil; Italian w/fresh chopped basil, oregano and white wine vinegar (red wine and balsamic I've found to be too 'heavy' for this light salad); 'down south', with cider vinegar, a little sugar, fresh chives and chervil.

[shroomgirl]

reminds me.....corn on or off the cob with lime mayo, hot sauce (crystal) and parmesan....LOVE it.

also make a corn salad with red onions, horseradish sweet/sour dressing

Stuffed charred red peppers with chevre

[KYHeirloomer]

>.....watermelon, red onions and raspberry vinaigrette<

If you like that, Julie, you might like one I made last night; a variation of Bobby Flay's Jicama and Watermelon Salad. Very refreshing.

[bughut]

Originally Posted by shroomgirl

one of my favorite summer salads is watermelon, red onions and raspberry vinaigrette

Sounds wonderful. Would you serve it chilled or room temp

[shroomgirl]

either. preferably chilled but room temp ok too.

[bughut]

Cheers. Just happen to have all i need. Reckon it will go well with tomorrows crayfish and smoked salmon

[tigerwoman]

moroccan carrot and chickpeas with fresh lemon, cumin & touch of sugar dressing (julienne & blanch carrots quickly cool in dressing to marinate) add cilantro and red onion to taste.

french potato salad - haricot vert, baby white or red potato, marinated artichokes, & whole grain dijon mustard. Dressing is combo of some of the artichoke marinade and the whole grain mustard

cheese Tortellini with feta, mint, red & yellow roasted peppers, basic vinaigrette. filling - can add dolmatis cut in half as garnish.

watermelon, feta & lime - sublime

simple caprese pasta salad - trick is to marinate fresh mozzarella balls (cherry size) in EVOO, fresh garlic & herbs - add chiffonade of fresh spinach or arugula to kick it up too.

[UptownKevin]

Here's a menu I did on Monday for a cocktail party of about 50. All cold or room temp, which works well on a hot Florida summer afternoon. Pretty easy menu to prep and no re-heating!

-Kevin

Menu

Passed Signature Appetizer Bites - served throughout the event

Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna

served on crispy wonton triangles with mango-wasabi cream

California Sushi Rolls

California rolls, elegantly served on mirrored trays, with wasabi & soy sauce

Stationary “Summer in Florida” Display

Caprese Salad on a Skewer

mozzarella, grape tomato and basil, with balsamic vinaigrette dipping sauce

Chorizo Skewers

Niman Ranch organic chorizo with manchego cheese and roasted red pepper

“Make Your Own” Bruscetta

Crostini with choices of olive tapenade and traditional tomatoes and basil

Watermelon Gazpacho Soup Shooters

Refreshing chilled summer soup of watermelon, tomato and cucumber, served in a shot glass

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken Skewers

Displayed in wheatgrass

Vertical Vegetable Crudité

Not your boring veggie platter! Served with a cool yogurt sauce for dipping

[UptownKevin]

Originally Posted by tigerwoman

moroccan carrot and chickpeas with fresh lemon, cumin & touch of sugar dressing (julienne & blanch carrots quickly cool in dressing to marinate) add cilantro and red onion to taste.

french potato salad - haricot vert, baby white or red potato, marinated artichokes, & whole grain dijon mustard. Dressing is combo of some of the artichoke marinade and the whole grain mustard

cheese Tortellini with feta, mint, red & yellow roasted peppers, basic vinaigrette. filling - can add dolmatis cut in half as garnish.

watermelon, feta & lime - sublime

simple caprese pasta salad - trick is to marinate fresh mozzarella balls (cherry size) in EVOO, fresh garlic & herbs - add chiffonade of fresh spinach or arugula to kick it up too.

Always great stuff coming from you in NYC! ;-)

-Kevin

[shroomgirl]

Tiger, great stuff....

Kevin, what veg did you use that was out of norm?

[pgr555]

Love Black bean mango salsa with avocado, red onion, lime & cilantro

[UptownKevin]

Originally Posted by shroomgirl

Kevin, what veg did you use that was out of norm?

Nothing out of the normal as far as ingredients. I just cut everything differently and displayed it in a tiered vertical format using round and square glass vessels along with glass blocks. Carrots, celery, green beans, radishes and grape tomatoes, and a cool yogurt sauce. It's not spectacular, but I can't bring myself to serve the plain crudite tray that has been done since the 1970's.

Should have photos soon. This event was on Monday and I am waiting on my photographer (also my server for the event) to finish all of the digital fine tuning.

-Kevin