A Perfect Summertime Ladies' Lunch

This summer let’s invite our gal pals over for a Ladies' Lunch.  Let’s make ahead and do ahead and invite some gals over and enjoy our time around the table.

Recently a friend asked me to give her an idea for a menu for a lunch for her and her gal pals.  She meets regularly with these dear friends, travels with them and wanted some ideas for what to serve when they came to her house.  They call themselves the Fab Four! 

 Sursee Gal to the rescue.  It made me excited to think about different menu options with recipes that are easy to make and also make ahead friendly.  That is how I usually plan a meal.  

I choose a few make aheads + a few "store boughts" + a few homemade treats= A Great Meal and time for you, the Hostess, to relax.

A stressed out hostess is the worstest.  For you and for your guests.  So make aheads are always a win.  You just can’t make it all at the last minute.  

Avocado Bar and Fixings + Charlie Bird Farro Salad or Summer Saute + Summer Fruit Bowl + Ice Cream Balls and toppings or Chocolate Sursee Bites = A fab luncheon!

When you are looking for a fun, fresh idea for your Ladies' Luncheon or next family gathering, try an Avocado Bar with all the Fixings.

It is Easy, Fresh and Delish! 

My friends and I even used for a Bridal Shower recently and it was fabulous.

The hardest part of having an Avocado Bar is probably purchasing the avocados and making sure they are ready when you are, to serve them.

 I usually buy a few more than needed to allow for the avocado that is  a little yuck when you slice it open or the stray avocado that is too hard! 

 The way to solve the “too hard avocado”  is to  purchase your avocados  a few days  before your party.  I buy them a little soft, so they give a little when you squeeze them, and then I put them in the refrigerator to keep them from ripening anymore.  Once an avocado goes into the frig, it stops ripening and will be ready for slicing up on your party day.  Score!

I slice the avocado open right before serving and place the half or a two halves on a little bed of arugula on a plate to give the avocados a little resting spot.  I buy the little bit bigger avocados, but if you can’t find those, serve both sides of the smaller one.

I serve the fixings buffet style in small, colorful bowls. I like to serve a protein to start the dressing of the avocado, so you can grill some chicken and slice up for the luncheon or you can buy a rotisserie chicken and slice it up and serve on a platter. I also have black beans to use for a topping.

I like to have a variety of toppings….  Here are a few ideas:

Chopped  Red Onions- Raw or Caramelized

Picante Sauce

Cilantro

Cheeses like Cotija, which is a yummy, crumbly cheese or Cheddar Cheese

Blue Cheese is a fun Sursee to use

Chopped Green Chilies

Jalepenos for more spice

Pico di Gallo- can hand make this or buy it at the store

Sour Cream

Bacon Bits

Your guests get a plate with an avocado half . Then it is time to dress their little green veggie however they like.  

For the rest of the luncheon try:

A Fresh Fruit Salad- Use all the summer fresh fruit that are available right now or use juicy red slices of watermelon.  

Prepare a Berry Bowl full of Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries.  Pretty and tasty!

Make sure you have a big bowl full of chips and some hot sauce.

A Summer Sursee Corn Saute might be a nice side  Recipe here.

or

try the Barefoot’s Charlie Bird Farro Salad.

And what about Dessert??

Have to have that, Sursee Gals!  Here are some ideas…

Scoop some balls of Vanilla Ice cream and freeze ahead of time.  Bring out for dessert, plop in a bowl and have chocolate sauce and caramel sauce warm and ready to drizzle on top. You could also drizzle with Kaulua or Amaretto….

Or

Make these delicious gluten free Chocolate Sursee Bites. 

Chocolate Sursee Bites

1 cup almond butter

1 egg

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 cup chocolate chips (dark- 65% cocoa)

1 tsp baking soda

Mix almond butter, egg baking soda and coconut sugar in mixer

Add in chocolate chips and mix until blended

Form into small balls, about 1“ diameter

Bake at 350 for 9 min.

Check at 9 min, might need a little more

If you are running out of time or energy, what about just a bowl of Chocolate Covered Almonds from Trader Joes? For the WIN!

And there you have a nice, summery Ladies' Luncheon. Who will you invite to enjoy a meal at your table? Can't wait to hear.

xoxo