Hosting a lunch - need ideas

My family is coming over on NYE for a lunch. I need some ideas on what to make or buy for everyone to eat. We were just at my parents house a couple of days ago for lunch and they had a cold cut platter, zucchini pie and an artichoke pie. So I need some different ideas. Help!

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

I always like cold cut platters for lunch.

A green leaf salad

mac & potatoe salads

a quiche

I like when people put out sushi platters too

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Maybe paninis or wraps, a crockpot of warm soup that they can ladel into a bowl and a few salad choices?

Like:
-tossed w/ choice of dressing
-caesar
-goat cheese & cranberry
-greek
-chickpea salad
-fresh mozzerella and peppers or tomatoes
-pasta salad
-mac/pot/coleslaw

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

I made this 2x for daytime parties & it was a hug hit, none left, and the King Kullen by me has heirloom tomatoes so i assume all the KKs do. Trying to think of some things that are a little more unique... maybe a fondue, homemade pizza, stuffed peppers, baked brie, french onion soup



Heirloom Tomato Tart

Black pepper parmesan pastry:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
3/4 lb fresh mozzarella (not unsalted), very thinly sliced
1/2 cup pesto
2 lb mixed heirloom tomatoes, sliced 3/4 inch thick
**Slices of prosciutto - my addition
**3 slices provolone - my addition


Blend together flour, butter, shortening, parmesan, pepper, and salt in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-size lumps. Drizzle 2 tablespoons ice water over and gently stir with a fork (or pulse in food processor) until incorporated.
Gently squeeze a small handful: If it doesn't hold together without falling apart, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) after each addition until incorporated, continuing to test. (Do not overwork dough, or it will become tough.)
Turn out dough onto a work surface and divide into 2 portions. With heel of your hand, smear each portion once in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather both portions of dough into 1 ball, then pat into a disk. Chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch round and fit into a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable rim. Roll rolling pin over top of pan to trim dough flush with rim. Lightly prick tart shell all over with a fork.
Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or rice. Bake in middle of oven 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights and bake until golden, about 15 minutes more. While warm (but not hot right out of the oven) place the 3 slices of provolone on the bottom, this keeps the crust from getting soggy from the tomatoes. Cool in pan on a rack.

Fill tart shell:
Remove side of pan and slide shell onto a platter. Arrange one third of mozzarella in bottom of shell and drizzle with one third of pesto. Lay a layer of prosciutto over the pesto. Arrange one third of tomato slices, overlapping, on top of cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat layering twice

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Agree with the crockpot of soup. Also. how about some egg, tuna and chicken salads?

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Thanks everyone! These are all good ideas. I have to head out to the supermarket!

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

Posted by KittyTheStray

Posted by mathteach

Posted by KittyTheStray

Did you make it without the cheese and prosciutto? This may be great for my next book club with one vegetarian member and one lactose intolerant member.

No, I meant I actually ADDED those things the original recipe didn't call for them.

But if you wanted to do it maybe instead of the cheese you could do it with caramelized onions, that might be really nice! Not sure about the crust without the cheese though. I think I actually have an onion tomato tart recipe, let me check & I’ll FM you if I find it!

Re: Hosting a lunch - need ideas

what about pulled pork sandwiches and some homemade mac n cheese?

panini's with pasta salad
reubens and hotdogs with knishes on the side
tacos
homemade pizzas