entertaining

july 2000

The Fourth of July is a day away and you have guests coming for a cook-out. Then the worst thing happens, the weather man comes on the TV and gives you 100% prediction for rain storms. Now what do you do? Let's look at what you had ordered for this elegant meal you had planned. You had purchased lobster tails, shrimp, fresh vegetables and chicken to grill on the barbecue. The fridge is filled to the brim with fruit and you are cooling beer and wine for those who drink. You have made the tea for iced tea and have good coffee ready for that iced drink. Flowers have been ordered and your table coverings in red, white, and blue are ironed ready to be placed on the rented tables for the back yard, and the skies grow dark and stay that way. If you entertain, you've been here, so let's shift gears and make a meal that your friends will talk about for weeks. First, clean up that dining room table and cover with some of those red, white and blue cloths. Place flowers on the table and around the house. Purchase some small flags and insert into the flower arrangements. Moving all of those people inside means buffet style serving, so place the plates, flat wear, and napkins together on the table. Get your serving platters and bowls out with serving pieces. Place extra portable tables and folding chairs around the house in groupings so that friends can sit together and mingle. Make a bar where drinks of all kinds can be found by your guests. Now you're ready to decide what to do with all of that food. Make sure to make it easy on yourself. Have the fish market steam your sea food so you don't have to. Make the chicken the night before and refrigerate. Have dressings made and ready to toss with ingredients. Make the dessert in the morning, and fill your glasses or trifle crystal bowl so that the flavors meld. Here goes our new menu. Enjoy. A Wet 4th of July   Lobster and Shrimp Salad with Fresh Vegetables Farmers' Market Tomato Salad Chicken and Pesto Rolls Fresh Bread Basket Red, White, and Blue Trifle (for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)