Sideboard Supper

Dear Lissy, 

Tomorrow promises to be about 134 degrees in church.  The windows in the sanctuary remain closed, so there's not a breath of air for relief.  We'll all have to do a little extra heart work before we leave tomorrow morning, or a complaining spirit will quickly overtake our worship.

By the time we get home we'll all be hot, hungry, and exhausted -- not exactly a pot roast kind of day.  Sideboard supper to the rescue.  Most European countries have some variation of this meal in their repertoire.  I'm sharing tomorrow's menu to give you an idea of what I prepare.  I usually line up everything on the counter (sideboard) and we go through buffet style.  You don't need much of any one thing -- the enjoyment is in the variety.  I'll have the three of you help me prep so we can eat almost as soon as we walk in the door.

• Vegetable Tray:  Celery sticks, Carrot chips, Sun gold cherry tomatoes, Snap Peas
• Relish Tray:  Sweet Baby Gherkin pickles, Dill chips, Black olives
  
• Deviled eggs (quiche or baby quiches are a great choice here, too)
  
• Meat and Cheese Tray
• Cheese, one or two varieties
• Cottage cheese
• Spiral Ham slices.  Wal-mart sells a 1-2# vacuum pack of spiral ham ends and pieces that's very affordable.  5-10 slices of deli meat is a good substitute
• Chicken chunks.  I cooked two boneless, skinless chicken breasts in balsamic vinegar, honey, cinnamon, thyme, and sea salt tonight while the oven was still hot from pizza.  I'll chill them overnight and cube them up in the morning.
• Breadbasket:  Pretzel Breadsticks, Crackers, and Crisps
• Fruit Tray:  Peach slices, Grapes, Melon chunks
• Ranch dressing
• Honey Mustard dip
• Beverage:  Cran Grape mixed with Club Soda or Iced coffee
• Dessert:  Ice Cream and Mini Strawberry Pies

I've never been brave enough to serve a cold sideboard supper to company, but it's a family favorite.  This unusual meal helps us avoid the expense of a restaurant, and is a bit more interesting than a sandwich or cereal.  There's usually enough left for lunch the next day, which is always a blessing on a hectic Monday morning.

Keep Cool,
Momma