Looking for Summer dinner idea --served room temperature.

[ctfoodie]

I have 12 people coming over for dinner Saturday night. It is going to be hot and my cottage has no air conditioning. I do not want my stove or grill going by the time my guests arrive . I would love some ideas about a meal that can be made ahead of time and served room temperature. For a little background the cottage is by the beach in the Northeast. I have access to lots of fresh produce, fish and meat. Thank you in adavnce for your ideas.

[sparkareno]

How abouot poaching some chicken breasts the night before & then making a big pasta salad with a basil dressing & whatever kinds of veggies you can score fresh.

[dfrostnh]

Please make a dessert (or salad) using fresh blueberries. They seem extra tasty this year. I got a recipe out of a Maine newspaper for an easy blueberry trifle that used store bought pound cake and a cream made from vanilla yogurt and cream cheese. Part of the blueberries are cooked in a syrup. Part added after the syrup is made but still hot. The last used for topping. A grilled shrimp cocktail sounds yummy but perhaps a cold lobster cocktail. My garden broccoli should have been picked yesterday so I made broccoli and raisin salad for tonight's dinner. Make some zucchini bread the night before either sweet or savory. Maybe offer an assortment of breads. The Zuni cafe recipe for quick zucchini pickles just needs 24 hours in the frig. A fresh bean salad? I think a rustic, casual meal would be perfect for a hot evening.

[Phurstluv]

For that many people I would definitely grill something whole, then serve it a room temp later, like whole beef tenderloin, whole salmon or a butterflied leg of lamb.

Then you can slice and platter it nicely, serve with accompaniments that are appropriate, like sliced country bread, fresh arugula, a nice sauce, like horseradish, etc.

Also can do a farmer's market type of crudite platter with blanched veggies and a green goddess or roquefort dip.

For starches, I love making couscous bc it's so simple, quick & goes with everything. Or you could do an orzo salad, I like mine with roasted peppers, olives & feta, and let that sit at room temp as well. Make sure to season & dress well, since it'll get soaked up. A nice french potato salad is good too with a tarragon vinaigrette & celery leaves. Dress while still warm, and the potatoes will soak up the flavors, and no worries about leaving it out.

[Fiona]

If it is going to be very hot I would start with a cold soup based on whatever produce is freshest. or a cold fish soup. There are lots of main courses that can be served at room temperature - casseroles come to mind. If you can get really good beef a cold roast beef with hosreradish dressing and a salad might be very nice. Many fish can be roasted whole and served at room temperature. My favorite hot weather dessert is gelato (if you have a source or can make it) with cookies. Also - I have had great success with Nigella Lawson's salad of watermelon and riccotta salata as a starter. It also works as a slightly savory dessert.
I hope this helps.

[JEN10]

gazpacho soup, grilled shrimp cocktail, crusty bread, watermelon lemonade.

[icey]

I'm not sure how casual you would like this meal, but last night, I did not want to turn on the stock or oven, so I made a huge platter of fresh Ontario cataloupe with prosciutto draped over it. Alongside, I made tomato bruschetta with fresh tomatoes from the garden.
If you don't think that's enough, maybe you could add a great fish tartar or ceviche. Or if you have access to a bbq, I love rare grilled flank steak draped over a salad of arugula, roasted red peppers and onions, and goat cheese.

[ctfoodie]

all those ideas sound great. the meal does not have to be fancy at all. i really like the bruschetta concept. thank you Icy.