EASY MAKE AHEAD SPRING BUFFETS FOR TWO TO TWENTY

Memorial Day and Labor Day are unique among American holidays. Both are Mondays, Memorial Day the last in May and Labor Day the first in September, making them the only holidays which are always three day weekends. Yet neither of these occasions has iconic symbols, involves traditional celebrations or family obligations. In fact, they’re best known for bookending ‘Summer’ more accurately than the calendar.

The old rule of not wearing white, especially shoes, before Memorial Day or after Labor Day may have faded away, but basic seasonal changes still apply. In May, warmer weather makes us crave lighter, casual clothing and increased hours of daylight create the illusion of more time resulting in relaxed schedules. 

Our appetites change with the season too. In warm weather, we want less filling, easily digestible, cool or temperate foods. All these factors combined result in summer meals, whether for the family, or for a group, becoming leisurely, often self-serve or buffet, casual affairs. The dishes, selected for stability in the weather, are frequently prepped ahead, easily presented and perfect for an extended dinner hour.

Memorial Day and the weeks following the holiday, were, pre-pandemic, and, hopefully, will be soon again, known for a cluster of events, graduations, bridal showers, Father’s Day, which like the holiday, are open to individually designed celebrations.  A group of recipes evolved especially for these late spring-early summer occasions and they’re great go-tos for a dinner of any size.

Some, of the recipes are gelees which may seem passé, but they’re still very useful and especially easy to represent as leftovers.  Simply microwave any remaining portion of a gelatin mold for a minute or so, pour it into a smaller size mold, shake or gently stir it to release air and chill. It appears fresh again. 

The pasta recipe is good hot, room temp or chilled at any season. I’ve seen it served at many chefs’ tastings and it’s always been a hit. It’s an ideal menu solution for a luncheon, small gathering or family dinner. It can also act as a second, or side dish, if one of fish or poultry is offered too.

For more substantial dinners, I like to anchor the menu with a cold roast. Turkey or ham are best.  They can be sliced thinner and are easier to cut if place settings aren’t used. Simple presentations are fine, the ham scored and dotted with cloves and a hotel breast just roasted, but for anyone wanting a bit more, I’m including a few recipes below.

Two ‘musts’ for a meal of this sort are: One-a bowl of greens, preferably mixed, with a light vinaigrette whose flavor will blend with others on the table. See the article on type and uses of lettuce April 23, 2020. Two: an appetizing display of bread and/or rolls and/or muffins. The bread should be attractive artisan loaves, Jewish rye, focaccia, challah, the rolls glossy and the muffins flakey. All baked goods should be fresh and of sufficient character that butter or jams aren’t needed.

Depending on whether you decide to use one or both of the vegetable molds, a platter or bowl of spring produce is always acceptable; grape tomatoes, marinated asparagus, pickled cut green beans. (Recipes below.) For more suggestions as to spring vegetable dishes go to April 2, 2020,     June 11, 2020   and March 25, 2021. Additionally, there’s at least one on the subject for each year. Please check the Home Page Panorama and the Archive section. As to condiments, mustard goes with either roast, and my Grandmother’s Mayonnaise, recipe also below, compliments everything.

As to dessert, there’s a recipe below for fresh fruit presentation, so welcome, especially in spring. However, you’ll find far more suggestions than I could include in this post by looking through the panorama on the site’s Home Page, looking through the Table of Contents, focusing on the spring articles on desserts and visiting Easy Spring Party Deserts April 1, 2021,  Making Fancy Desserts with Commercial Ice Cream  Aug. 17, 2017, The American Trifle and Summer Berry Pudding recipes from Traditional Desserts June 18,2020, Puff Pastry  May 24, 2018, Meringues May 16, 2019, and Berry Deserts April 9,2020.

The thing about these recipes is that they are simple to prepare, from available, familiar ingredients. They can all be made at least a day ahead, keep well and leftovers are easily repurposed. In short, they’re shortcuts to guaranteeing a successful meal, be it a family dinner or a party for friends. I’ve served each of them often and know their value, as will you once you’ve tried them.

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RECIPES
Tomato Aspic: Serves 8-10
4 cups tomato juice
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped celery leaves
Tb. sugar
¼ tsp. salt
4 whole cloves
1 bay leaf
2 env. unflavored gelatin
3 Tbs. lemon juice
Few drops Worcestershire sauce
1 cup finely chopped celery
Soften gelatin in 1 cup tomato juice. Bring 3 cups tomato juice and net 6 ingredients to a boil, then simmer 5 min. Optionally strain. Add softened gelatin to hot mix and stir to dissolve. Stir in lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Chill until beginning to set and stir in celery and pour mixture into a 5-6 cup mold. Chill until firm, unmold and serve.
TIP: Use a ring mold and fill the center with salad greens, chicken or shrimp salad.

Cucumber Mold: Serves 8-10
2 cups chopped, peeled, seeded cucumber
(2) 3 oz. pkg. lime jello
2 cups boiling water
2 Tbs. cider vinegar
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely minced onion
Dissolve lime juice in water, stir in vinegar and salt. Chill until almost set, about 45 min. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into a mold and chill until set.
TIPS: 1) If using a mold with a decorative top, mix 1-2 Tbs. of the jello with ¼-1/3 cup of sour cream and fill in the design and chill until set before adding the mold mixture.
2) If using a ring mold, fill the center with cottage cheese, chicken, tuna, salmon or shrimp salad.

Creamy Tuna Mold: Serves 8-10
3 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin – divided
1 cup water – divided into two half cups
1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper
2 Tbs. finely diced or grated onion
Salt and pepper
(2) 5 ½ oz. cans chunk white tuna – drained
½ cup finely diced celery
2 Tbs. lemon juice
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 quart solid mold
LAYER I
Soak 1 ½ envelope of gelatin with 2 Tbs. cold water until it expands, then dissolve in remainder of ½ cup water boiling. Mix with the cheese, peppers, onion salt and pepper. Pout into the bottom of the mold and chill.
LAYER II
Repeat the above process with the remainder of the gelatin and water. Mix with celery, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and tuna. Pour into the mold on top of layer I. Chill until firm, several hours or overnight. Unmold be dipping in hot water to the count of 10 and inverting onto a serving plate. Chill again to firm. Cut in slices to serve.

Creamy Salmon Mold: Serves 8-10 (This is a version of the Tuna Mold
3 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin – divided
1 cup water – divided into two half cups
1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper
2 Tbs. finely diced or grated onion
Salt and pepper
(2) 5 oz. frozen salmon fillets – thawed, lightly poached, skinned, if needed, and flaked.
½ cup finely diced celery
1 Tbs. dried dill weed
2 Tbs. lemon juice
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 quart solid mold
LAYER I
Soak 1 ½ envelope of gelatin with 2 Tbs. cold water until it expands, then dissolve in remainder of ½ cup water boiling. Mix with the cheese, peppers, onion salt and pepper. Pout into the bottom of the mold and chill.
LAYER II
Repeat the above process with the remainder of the gelatin and water. Mix with celery, lemon juice, mayonnaise, dill and salmon. Pour into the mold on top of layer I. Chill until firm, several hours or overnight. Unmold be dipping in hot water to the count of 10 and inverting onto a serving plate. Chill again to firm. Cut in slices to serve.

PASTA
Linguini with Ham (or Smoked Turkey): Serve 4
8 oz. linguini
1/2lb. ham or smoked turkey cut in julienne strips
8 oz. cooked, cut green beans
(1) 14 oz. can stewed tomatoes
4 oz. shredded Jack cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan
2 scallions –sliced
2 ¼ oz. sliced black olives
½ cup canola oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 pkg. Good Seasons Spicy Italian salad dressing mix
Cook and cool the pasta. Mix the salad dressing. Toss all the ingredients   together with the cooled pasta and 2/3 cup of the dressing. Freeze or refrigerate. Serve cold, at room temp or heat in the microwave.

MEATS
Turkey-Hotel breast about 6 lb.
General directions-Roast at 325 deg. for 2- 2½ hr. or as package directs, until skin is golden and juices run clear. It’s advisable to put ¼-1/2 inch broth or water in the roasting pan to prevent sticking and to baste occasionally with pan juices.
Variations
Herb Crusted: from 500 3-Ingredient Recipes by Robert and Carol Hildebrand.
Combine 1Tbs. EACH dried rosemary, thyme, tarragon and black pepper and 1 tsp, salt. Using fingers or a butter knife, gently lift skin from meat and spread the herbs over the surface of the meat. Pat skin into place, rub well with butter or oil and roast as above.
Sage Flavored
Substitute 5-7 fresh sage leaves for the herb rub. Well laced they create an attractive presentation.

Ham: Generally cooked at 325 deg. for 15 min. per lb. Bone in, spiral and canned can be used for presentations 1&2, canned is best for #3
1.Ham can be scored, dotted with cloves and baked. A mixture if 1 part cider vinegar to 2 parts molasses is an excellent basting mix, and the addition of pineapple rings centered with cherries, added the last 30 min. is a delightful decoration.
2.Ham with Brandied Peaches: Use the syrup in a 1 qt. jar of brandied peaches as the basting glaze. Serve with the peaches on the platter and any juices on the side.
3. Ham in Croute: Make or buy crust for a two crust pie. Roll out ¼ of the dough (about half of one crust) to a size which will cover the top of the ham. Roll out the remaining dough to dimensions which encase the bottom and sides of the ham. Press the pastry edges together and flute with the fingers. Brush the covered ham with a wash made from 1 lightly beaten egg and 2 Tbs. cream. Any extra dough can be cut into designs and attached to the top with the egg wash. Bake in a hot oven for 30 min. until golden.

VEGETABLES-For more ideas check the posts listed above.
Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley: Serves 4- from 500 3-Ingredient Recipes by Robert and Carol Hildebrand. This is a truly seasonal dish combining 3 spring produce.
1 lb. asparagus
1Tbs. minced garlic
2 Tbs. fresh chopped parsley
4 Tbs. butter
Mix the garlic, butter and parsley and gently melt over low heat-set aside. Trim the asparagus spears and place in a dish suitable to allow them to lay flat in no more than 2 layers. Add 2 Tbs. water and microwave, depending on thickness of stalks, 3-9 min. until tender but crisp. Drain water, plate and roll to cover in butter mixture. Serve at room temp. If making ahead, chill vegetables and butter mix separately, lightly microwave to melt butter and toss.

Marinated Asparagus: Substitute a light vinaigrette for the butter mix. Combine freshly cooked vegetable with dressing. If made ahead chill, then let stand to bring to room temp.

Sweet  Pepper Green Beans: Serves 4-6
1 lb. young green beans
(1)12 oz.jar sweet salad peppers-drained, juice reserved
(1) 2.25 oz. can sliced ripe olives-drained
Check beans for strings and boil in salted water until crisp-tender but still bright green. Drain and pat dry on paper towels.  Toss beans, peppers and olives. If serving hot, add enough reserved juice to moisten (2-3 Tbs.) If serving room temp or cold mix reserved juice with 1-2 Tbs. olive oil to make a dressing and gently toss. 

Pickled Green Beans: Serves 4-6
1 lb. frozen cut green beans
1 bunch scallions-trimmed, white and light green parts thinly sliced on the diagonal
½ cup dressing made of 1 part sugar, 2 parts vinegar,  1 part oil to 2 parts broth or water-or measurements to taste.
Cook and drain beans, combine all ingredients and allow to marinate several hours chilled. Bring to room temp before serving.

Nana’s Home-Made Mayonnaise Dressing:  Really a Boiled Dressing, with an edgier flavor than mayo, this is unaffected by temperature and, having no oil, won’t curdle. It keeps in the refrigerator for months, I always double the recipe because it makes the best Cole Slaw (add celery seeds), is a wonderful spread, is an excellent sauce for vegetables and, in a pinch, a dip.
3Tbs. sugar
½ tsp. dry mustard
1/8 tsp. paprika
1 Tbs. flour
½ tsp. salt
1 Tbs. butter
½ cup water
½ cup vinegar
2 eggs well beaten
Mix dry ingredients. Place in a double boiler with vinegar, water and butter. Cook over medium heat until butter melts. Pour the hot liquid gradually into the eggs, then pour the whole mixture back into the pot and return to the stove. Continue cooking over medium heat until thickened to the point where the spoon can leave a trail across the surface. Allow to cool completely at room temperature then keep refrigerated in tightly sealed glass jars.

DESSERT-This is for those who prefer something light with less sugar. Foe lots of conventional dessert recipes, please check the posts listed above.
Glace Pineapple Cascade: Serves 8-10
1 large pineapple-halved lengthwise including the green leaves
1 qt. strawberries-hulled
1 lb. seedless red grapes
2 medium bananas
! Egg white whipped
Granulated sugar-as needed
Toothpicks
Carve the meat out of the pineapple halves and cut in large dice, discarding the hard core. Cut the bananas in 1/2 -3/4 inch slices. Separate grape clusters from the main stem. Arrange the strawberries and cut fruit attractively in the pineapple shells and drape the grape clusters decoratively as if cascading down. Brush the egg white over the fruit and sprinkle with the sugar as if it were snow. The egg will dry clear and the sugar will glisten like ice. Keep well chilled until ready to serve. Have toothpicks and napkins handy for easy eating.