Smart menu for over seas guests in hot weather

lostinrates

I'm not, not , not roasting beef and doing Yorkshire pudding in this heat , no matter how quaint and charming:).

They might well be here for tea as well as lunch, so I'll have a propper high tea quickly available....cumcumber sandwiches, some scones, homemade jam and clotted cream.

It's the right time for cliches, so pimms will be out in full force....but I cannot think of a nice main meal to suit all guests, (one first time visitor to UK from the states, but all American).

I thought perhaps a tomato consomm! to start, and summer pudding seems obvious (though I dislike it), and I might also do some jellies a friend linked to recently and little lemon possess for puds.....but a main course stumps me.

I had even though of coronation chicken but an MSE chum made what is nor for me the definitive version and mine is no where near as good.. . It really needs to be quite smart food. So main course ideas PLEASE

manchestermargo

I know it involves some cooking but what about side of salmon poached in white wine, lemon, herbs and some butter,wrapy in foil. Serve with new spuds salad etc.

Manchestermargo

Mands

I'm with ManchesterMargo, poached salmon would be my choice. It's summery, it's flavourful, it can be prepped in advance and it feels a little special. Sides of new potatoes and assorted salads and it'll look like a feast.

If salmon doesn't suit then a honey-roast ham achieves the same effect. And with both any leftovers can be incorporated into other dishes.

Hope it all goes well,
Mands

vixtress

I third the salmon/roast ham with new pots, salads etc
It's got to be Eton mess for dessert!

valerie57

Nigella does a jubilee chicken which is an updated version of Coronation Chicken. It has chicken, mango, chilli and other yummy stuff. It looks lovely and is good for this weather.

lostinrates

I saw the jubilee chicken recipe....it's a bit ...American to serve to Americans, iykwim, and I feel the same a bout ham. (Its delicious looking though . If they were longer stay Americans we'd definitely do it)


Poached salmon would be by far the most chic option I agree.....it's just so HOT! Salmon and watercress might be the most 'British' way to serve it in the summer. . Definitely a great idea.

Other ideas still welcome though!

As for Eton mess, my guess is they'll get loads of it before their stay is out?

lostinrates

Hmm,, there is another option, the guy is a friend of dh's and DH is Italian...should I be going with the weather and making Italian food really? And letting everyone else do the British clich!s? Neither have been to Italy I think?

allybee101

Well if you're doing a high tea that's the very English bit done so I think you could go with something quite different for the main meal. Italian could be good - mozzarella, tomato and basil salad to start, perhaps a light pasta dish - something with fish/seafood, bread and salad. Folow with a cold dessert - jelly (I've seen some nice recipes with sparkling water/wine to add a bit of fizz) or tiramisu or something?

annie123

I'd go for individual smoked salmon quiches and you can make it before so less time in the kitchen. This one is lovely;
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/smoked_salmon_dill_and_goat_cheese_quiche/ and serve with home made potato salad, coleslaw, fresh bread etc

They won't fancy hot heavy food either in this weather I would have thought, so I'd make fish the main what ever you decide to do.

And don't forget the borage flowers for the pimms

lostinrates

annie123 wrote: »

I'd go for individual smoked salmon quiches and you can make it before so less time in the kitchen. This one is lovely;
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/smoked_salmon_dill_and_goat_cheese_quiche/ and serve with home made potato salad, coleslaw, fresh bread etc

They won't fancy hot heavy food either in this weather I would have thought, so I'd make fish the main what ever you decide to do.

And don't forget the borage flowers for the pimms

We have loads of borage growing wild here. It's as if our house was planned as a pimms drinking paradise.

I think the plan to go fish and not necessary cliched any culture is best. . Tea is one thing, particular as if I say so myself I do a tea finer than they will get at the ritz or fortnums, but we'll keep lunch a,little less thematic I think. .

Thanks for talking me down ladies! It's always hard when there is an important work/social crossover and only one part of a couplets known.

maman

lostinrates wrote: »

Hmm,, there is another option, the guy is a friend of dh's and DH is Italian...should I be going with the weather and making Italian food really? And letting everyone else do the British clich!s? Neither have been to Italy I think?

If you want an Italian themed course you could do worse than pop to Aldi and get a load of antipasti: meats, peppers, cherry toms, olives......Their Prosecco's good too.

When I want a lazy starter they do lovely individual smoked salmon terrine things (stuffed with crab IIRC) in M&S. Easy with a few leaves and a bit of dressing and they come with a chilli sauce.