Thursday, October 30, 2008

I Need Help Here!

Week after next my small stitching group, Nimble Thimbles, will be meeting at my house. Oh how I love these women! They are funny, loving, giving, compassionate, sharing, and every other good thing I can think of. Once a month we meet in each other's homes for stitching, talking, and eating. No business! Just fun! Counting me there are 8 of us. Needless to say all are good cooks though none of us try to be fancy. (I wasn't counting me in the good cooks part because you know I burned the beans!) Anyway, I'm thinking I'd like to make something new and wonderful so I'm looking for ideas here. If you were fixing lunch for 8 women who aren't company but are definitely family of the heart what would you fix? Just put your menu in the comments and I'll pick one to fix for my friends because that way I don't have to dream this up myself and you'll be doing the dreaming for me. :) But beware, if it's something I don't normally make I'll be e-mailing you for the recipe!
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29 comments:

  1. Quilter Going BananasOctober 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM

    How about breakfast for lunch? Oven baked French Toast and some seasonal fruit and some ham?? First thing that popped into my head and yes I did eat my breakfast already this morning!

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  2. Tracy P.October 30, 2008 at 11:17 AM

    My favorite super easy lunch is english muffins with imitation crabmeat (actually, I have discovered that the imitation lobster is more flavorful) and shredded monterey jack (or marble or whatever) on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes and top with hollandaise sauce (from a packet, of course). Great with a spinach salad or fruit. Not too heavy so people have room for dessert!

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  3. AnonymousOctober 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM

    I was going to suggest chunky waldorf-style chicken salad on croissants with a side of cottage cheese topped with a pear slice (I use from a can and place it right on top of the mound of small curd cc), some chips, and fruity iced tea...I like the Lipton brands that come in a jar, instant...they're good and you can also add some fruit juices to it and garnish the glasses with cherries and sliced fruit if you wish.
    connie

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  4. MamaOctober 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM

    Love the name of the group! That's awesome.

    How about Chicken Salad with Chow Mein noodles? Here's the recipe from Cooks.com that I've used. Ladies seem to enjoy it, and it's easy and different.

    CHICKEN SALAD WITH CHOW MEIN NOODLES

    2 whole chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
    2 (8 oz.) cans pineapple tidbits
    1/2 c. green onion, diced
    1/2 c. celery, diced
    1/2 c. water chestnuts
    White grapes (optional)
    1 med. size can chow mein noodles

    DRESSING:
    1 c. Miracle Whip
    1 c. sour cream
    Mix all together, except noodles. Add noodles just before serving.

    Have fun!

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  5. JacquieOctober 30, 2008 at 12:12 PM

    Oh, Marlene, I'm so sad to report that I would be posting this exact post if I was in your position!! Ha! I'm not known for my domestic abilities... esp. in the kitchen.

    I hope it all goes better than you hope!

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  6. ChristineOctober 30, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    Chicken and Noodles if the weather is cold. You could make them the day before since they're always better the next day. And if you burn them you'll have time to come up with a plan B. ;-)

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  7. RuthieOctober 30, 2008 at 1:31 PM

    I would serve White Chili with Tortilla Chips

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  8. VickyOctober 30, 2008 at 1:34 PM

    My favorite fast luncheon is a spin-off from Chuck Paul (I got the idea when he was on Channel 7)

    Open Face Grilled Cheeses with Neopolitan Sauce and a side of pasta. Iced tea rounds it off nicely. :-)

    If you like, I'll send the receipes over!

    Vicky (pardon the spelling)

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  9. SueOctober 30, 2008 at 1:57 PM

    I would go with either Chicken Salad croissant, pasta salad, chips or Vegetable soup and cornbread muffins. Can't go wrong with either.

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  10. MichelleOctober 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM

    Hi Marlene!
    Hey, do what we do....order out! We either order from Happy Joes and have them deliver, or some of the girls will order from the chinese restaurant, and then a couple of the girls will go and pick it up. It's what works for us. Some of us just bring or have our own lunch to eat. We found out it saves on time wasted eating, instead of having fun and stitching!

    Michelle

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  11. quilterpollyOctober 30, 2008 at 2:48 PM

    everuone in my family that knows me that my best recipe is....drumroll please...reservations :)

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  12. Lora @ my blessed lifeOctober 30, 2008 at 2:49 PM

    This is a great time of year for a good soup, a simple salad and some yummy crusty bread. And that is all very easy to make (or buy at the store!). Just dress it up in pretty dishes and no one will ever know if you didn't make it yourself!:)

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  13. SharonOctober 30, 2008 at 2:59 PM

    My favorite easy and delightful ladies lunch menu is Zucchini Crescent Casserole, green salad with great big glasses of iced sweet tea! Easy to do, delicious and if you pick this menu (or not and just want it) I'll be happy to share my recipe. No matter what you have, I hope you have a great time. God Bless

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  14. Dandelion QuiltsOctober 30, 2008 at 3:40 PM

    Chicken Salad with Miracle Whip, a pinch of sugar, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries. Served on a delicious bakery bun. A salad of fresh spinach, feta, red onion, baby tomatoes, and nuts. For dessert, my favorite pumpkin bundt cake.

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  15. Linda - Behind My Red DoorOctober 30, 2008 at 3:54 PM

    My pumpkin soup will wow them and you can leave in the crock pot to! YUMM

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  16. Cornfield QuilterOctober 30, 2008 at 4:46 PM

    I would serve Taco Salad in the tortilla bowls. The only dishes you will have are the forks! :D

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  17. BirdydownunderOctober 30, 2008 at 7:10 PM

    well as you all like to sew. I would make it easy eating food. Like soup, cream cheese and ginger sandwiches,(crusts cut off and then cut into four, nice and bite size) maybe some Ricotta Pastries. And fruit and choc lollies to finish with the coffee.
    Sounds like a lovely group

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  18. J'Ollie PrimitivesOctober 30, 2008 at 7:23 PM

    Seafood Chowder (seriously easy, especially for a group and if you have a crockpot)

    Cheese muffins ~ again, seriously easy, they'll disappear in a minute!

    Death By Chocolate ~ not that you want to kill anybody but this is a (didja hear it already) seriously easy and YUMMY dessert

    We used to have Stitch N Bitch back in the good old days....

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  19. Purple PamOctober 30, 2008 at 10:34 PM

    DH makes a great chicken and noodle soup. Good in cold weather. I like it with sliced sourdough bread. Or what about Firehouse Beans (taken from Fireman Jim's Firehouse Cookbook)? You can put that in the crock pot and let it warm up ahead of time. Just before serving you can whip up a fruit salad. Yumm, makes me hungry!

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  20. mollyOctober 30, 2008 at 11:31 PM

    How about Broccoli Swiss cheese soup with crusty French bread,a green salad and apple cake for dessert?

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  21. Marie RaynerOctober 31, 2008 at 2:23 AM

    All these suggestions sound so delicious!! I think I gained ten pounds just reading through them! I like the last one best of all though, but then I love broccoli soup!

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  22. KimOctober 31, 2008 at 2:36 AM

    Soup--most definitely! And we really love Mimi's Corn Chowder (you can find the recipe by searching on the internet). Second soup choice would be Baked Potato Soup followed closely by clam chowder in third place. Add a loaf of warmed up French bread and a simple salad--buy the ones in the bags for something fast and easy! Add some chopped apples and pecans as a nod to the fall harvest season and poppyseed dressing. Yum!

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  23. Elaine AdairOctober 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM

    This has gone over well - a lovely-to-look at, also, in pretty glasses. While it contains Jello, it doesn't LOOK like jello.
    ----------
    Cranberry Salad
    1 bag frozen cranberries - (do not thaw)
    1 C. sugar
    1 sm. box cherry jello (do not dilute)
    1/2 C. finely chopped walnuts
    2 apples
    1 can drained pineapple tidbits
    Whipped topping
    ----
    Whiz cranberries in food processor with sugar & dry jello, pour into bowl. Whiz apples in food processor pour into bowl. Add drained pineapple and finely chopped walnuts to the bowl. Mix it up. It will be somewhat dry/mushy. Top with topping or whipped cream.

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  24. MyraOctober 31, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    Besides doing a pot-luck lunch once in a while, my group of ladies love a good bowl of Hamburger soup and some garlic or crusty bread. The soup can be made the day before, and simmer nicely on low in a crock-pot till lunch time... And perhaps an apple pie for desert. 8-)
    Hope it goes well whatever you choose...

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  25. sister sheriOctober 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM

    I had ladies over for brunch last month. I made two quiches... one with bacon and swiss cheese and one with spinach and monterey jack cheese. The girls begged me for the very simple recipes. I also served water with a slice of orange. And some fresh fruit cut up and placed in a pretty bowl. One of my friends made lemon scones... and we were one happy group of ladies!

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  26. LoriNovember 1, 2008 at 8:28 AM

    How about broccoli cheese soup or baked potato soup? I have a great recipe for both if you're interested. And maybe a nice salad with spinach and baby lettuces, blackberries, raspberries, etc, feta cheese, sliced almonds and a raspberry vinegrette dressing. Or maybe a nice quiche with the salad instead? I have a super easy recipe for quiche as well if you'd like.

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  27. AmeliaNovember 1, 2008 at 9:42 AM

    I vote for a chicken salad served with crackers. For dessert carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting.

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  28. elaine @ peace for the journeyNovember 1, 2008 at 6:49 PM

    Corn Chowder soup (I've got a great recipe), crackers and apple dump cake for dessert. Making some tonight for our homecoming at the river tomorrow morning.

    peace~elaine

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  29. AnonymousNovember 2, 2008 at 10:58 PM

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