HappyGrace Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 (edited) They're just stopping in for lunch from out of town Saturday on their way to somewhere else. We'll be eating out on our patio, probably 85 degrees out, so nothing too hot. We have a grill so we can grill if needed. I am so busy this wk so I need something easy but they are the type that I will need to look like I fussed. I know one doesn't like tuna salad so I guess he prbly wouldn't like chicken salad either. I was thinking of teryaki kabobs (marinated ckn, pineapple, pepper, onion) but it is too much trouble. I also need easy dessert ideas to go with it! THANKS! Edited July 15, 2012 by HappyGrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Just make a couple big platters. Savory with a couple kinds of breads, some sliced cold cuts/cheeses etc. A couple anti pasta type things, maybe some sort of pasta/other salad One with some assorted bakery goods and fruit. For me company is about the company. I usually make/assemble the easiest stuff during the time people visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted July 15, 2012 Author Share Posted July 15, 2012 It is only three people, not huge eaters, but they will expect it to be nice. They are older people, in their 70s, so they are of the day and mind that people fuss for a lunch. (Plus the four of us in my family.) Sorry, I should have mentioned that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 BBQ Ribs are really pretty easy, put them in a baking dish or 2 cover with water and bake for 2 1/2 - 3 hours until tender. Throw on grill with BBQ sauce and grill for a few minutes per side. You can do grilled potatoes and veggies as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Do what I did for Brother and Sister in law. French bread, deli turkey and ham, cheese, lettuce. Slap together easy sandwich. Some chips and waalaa! They were content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Shrimp quesadillas? Buy the shrimp precooked, cheese already grated, tortillas premade, cilantro as well as guacamole and sour cream, salsa on the side. Can serve with rice or beans. Buy some fancy pastries for dessert. My inlaws always think this is a fuss! I like the rib idea too! And then just make bananas Foster for dessert. Folks think that is special but it's a snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 I would do chicken salad (can be prepared teh day before). Mine is sauteed chicken cubed up, celery, dried cranberries, granny smith apple cubes, with a mayo-lemon juice dressing. Serve either as a sandwich or over greens. Add in a green salad (greens, red onions, halved grapes, homemade vinaigrette), and ice cream for dessert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 (or brined) which is just 10 min on the grill, a big pasta salad (with mozzarella and veggies), a fruit plate and brownies for dessert. Fresh, cool and it looks like you did a lot of work! jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Mom Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 This recipe is one of my favorites for company. It is a pasta, arugula, steak salad. Easy but fancy. Add a nice loaf of bread and some lemon bars for a tasty low fuss meal. I cook the steak the day before, slice it and just warm it in a pan the day I'm serving it. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-beef-and-arugula-recipe/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 It is only three people, not huge eaters, but they will expect it to be nice. They are older people, in their 70s, so they are of the day and mind that people fuss for a lunch. (Plus the four of us in my family.) Sorry, I should have mentioned that. Ah, well....I usually do simple food and a very nice place setting/table. Like a pretty buffet but simple stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSong Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 I would marinate some kind of meat and grill it, and do baked potatoes or potato wedges. One of my favorite salads: fresh spinach (you can mix in leaf lettuce or whatever kind you like), walnuts, dried cranberries, diced red onion, and feta cheese. I like raspberry vinagrette dressing with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 I have the perfect lunch idea for you! Substitute croissants for the bread rolls and it becomes a fancy and amazingly delicious lunch. It would be great with fresh fruit and maybe an assortment of cookies for dessert. It is sooo good! Ham & Swiss Croissants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted July 15, 2012 Author Share Posted July 15, 2012 Oh, the croissant idea is great! I'm thinking that or maybe the ribs. The salad ideas are great too. Please keep the ideas coming-I am totally not decided and still thinking thru all these great ideas. I had a fun idea to maybe just serve vanilla ice cream, but make a fresh blueberry sauce for the topping. I made it once for pancakes and it was yummy. I could make it the day before. OR maybe grill peaches and put that on the ice cream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 For outdoor lunch, I'd do: Snooty cheeses Smoked salmon Selection of bread and crackers Fruit Olive tapenade Chopped salad If they drink serve sangria If they like meat, grill some steak med rare and slice it thinly. Serve warm or chilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 Still thinking it through...keep these great ideas coming please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I second the marinated grilled chicken. A friend does this and her dh grills it while she fixes that rice-in-a-box. She has a green salad made and adds multigrain rolls. For dessert she does something super easy like rice krispie treats or ice cream. We usually just grill up some hamburgers, hotdogs and brats. Add fruit and chips. Brownies or blondies and/or ice cream to follow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 How about these little cocktail roll sandwiches? They have a lunchmeat/cheese filling, then are brushed with a seasoned butter and baked. You could serve it with a green salad and fresh fruit, a plate of cookies or other baked goodies for dessert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Rose Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Grilled salmon with baked potatoes and fresh salad. Or Grilled salmon with grilled veggies and bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I have the perfect lunch idea for you! Substitute croissants for the bread rolls and it becomes a fancy and amazingly delicious lunch. It would be great with fresh fruit and maybe an assortment of cookies for dessert. It is sooo good! Ham & Swiss Croissants I've had that recipe, just like it's pictured -- with mini rolls -- and it is delicious! What about that with fruit and cookies (like ChickenPatty said above) and a "homemade" soup -- something from a dry mix that you can have simmering on your stove, looking and smelling homemade. Add a relish tray or some cucumber slices, and that would be really yummy. What time should we be there? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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