Given those conditions, Kevin, I'd want to prepare a meal that looked impressive but which was really simple to do, with lots of things that are either quick to do, can be made ahead, or basically cook themselves. So I'm thinking something on the order of:

1. Mushroom pate as a starter. Serve this with crackers and crudities.
2. Rachael Ray's radish salad.
3. Tagine of lemon chicken
Saffron Rice
Zucchini fritters

For bread I'd put out a pair of fresh Epi loaves. Not a chore, as i make them often anyway.

Desserts are always a hard one, for me, because I don't bake, and we don't do a lot of desserts here. So chances are I would just do some commercial ice-cream, maybe with some fruit as well.

If I really wanted to impress, I'd scoop vanilla bean ice cream into chocolate cups, surround it with orange supremes, and drizzle with Sabra.

How about a basic lunch?

Southern fried chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade mac and cheese, homemade corn soup, buttered corn, butter beans, glazed carrots, homemade bread stuffing/dressing, a large relish tray with several homemade (relish-y) salads, a large salad of greens and goodies with a selection of homemade "house" dressings, cornbread, hot and steamy rye rolls and several luscious desserts.


Hey Kev - it's a long roll home from my end of the country! Part way there I'd have to roll you back to fatten you up cuz you'd get so skinny from all the rollin'!

Someday I'll visit Alaska - get out of the kitchen and let me loose - I'll cook - you eat - and do the dishes - so I can finish site seeing!

LOL

RE: "Hey Kev - it's a long roll home from my end of the country! Part way there I'd have to roll you back to fatten you up cuz you'd get so skinny from all the rollin'!

Someday I'll visit Alaska - get out of the kitchen and let me loose - I'll cook - you eat - and do the dishes - so I can finish site seeing!"

Ha- mama, you're a trip! However, I'm not up in AK much these days. "Retired" from my work up there a few months back and am now home here in central Illinois full-time again. I still have a cabin up there- and although I don't want to get rid of it, only time will tell if I'm able to get up there enuf to enjoy it properly. Also- your lunch sounds YUMMY!