Summer Lunch for the Ladies

Cheers

First Course

The Main Course

Coffee Creations - Your Choice

Foods with Finesse

• When the occasion calls for birthday cake we’ve plenty from which to choose. One that’s lovely in summer is Fruity Celebration Cake. Search on ‘birthday cakes’ or ‘celebration’ to find more recipes on this website.
  
  
• Another spectacular dessert that fits this menu is coffee-flavored cheesecake. We like Mini Cappuccino Cheesecakes and Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake. Check out How to Make and Bake a Cheesecake for tips if you’re new to making rich and creamy dessert.

Tabletops with Style

• Use sheets of wrapping paper as place mats on a white tablecloth. Look for beautiful floral or other patterns of wrapping paper sold in individual sheets in gift or specialty paper shops.
  
  
• For the centerpiece, embellish a floppy straw hat with silky ribbon and dainty flowers. You can use fresh flowers picked from your garden or picked up at a farmers' market. Or make a permanent centerpiece by using silk flowers. Poke flowers through the holes in the hat's weave, and if necessary, wire securely with florist wire on the inside. To give the hat more dimension, prop it over a white cloth- or napkin-covered coffee can.
  

The Day Before

• Bake selected cookies. Store in airtight container or as directed in recipe. Wait to frost Choco-Hazelnut Latte Cookies (if served) until day of serving.
• Prepare the iced tea for Tropical Tea; refrigerate.
• Prepare Iced Hazelnut Coffee Coolers (if served) through Step 2; freeze.
• Make Spicy Gazpacho; cover and refrigerate.

The Day Of

• Cut chicken breasts into strips, peel and slice peaches, slice onion, and chop bell pepper for Caribbean Chicken Salad. Store in separate food-storage bags in fridge. Prep salad greens if needed.
• Bake Fresh Herb-Topped Rolls. (Reheat wrapped in foil in 350°F oven if you like, or serve at room temperature.)

Last-Minute Prep

• Make and serve Tropical Tea as guests arrive. Offer cheers!
• Cook chicken and finish assembly of Caribbean Chicken Salad.
• Blend Iced Mexican Coffee (if served) or Iced Hazelnut Coffee Coolers; garnish and serve with cookies.