Betsy prepares table
When doing lunch at a restaurant becomes a ho-hum habit, we suggest packing up a bit of crystal and a light lunch and heading to the water side. Whether poolside or lakeside, shimmering water makes the crystal sparkle and the gathering memorable.
When crystal is not an option, a thermos and packable pastries do nicely. Friends, fresh air, and a few tasty bites are all that is needed. Here is the menu for a light afternoon tea a friend and I enjoyed lakeside.
crystal sparkles at lakeside luncheon
Menu Suggestions:
- Salmon Filled Cucumber Thimble
- Basil and Balsamic Vinegar Enhanced Cherry Tomatoes
- Golden Gluten-Free Crackers (Purchased croissants would also be lovely if baking time is scarce.)
- White Chocolate Mousse and Berry Filled Chocolate Boats
- Lemon and lavender iced tea
How to Make Golden Gluten-Free Crackers
Recently, family members learned they are gluten intolerant. Approximately 1 out of every 150 individuals has gluten sensitivity, so cooking and baking practices may need to change. Some recipes can be adapted to eliminate wheat gluten. Also, many more prepared or semi-prepared gluten free foods are available today than we could find just a few years ago. Even our small town grocery store stocks a section of gluten free baking mixes, pastas, breads, frozen pastries, and pizzas. The following cracker suggestion resulted from a happy experiment with left-over gluten free pie crust from a boxed mix.
Follow the preparation directions for a gluten free pie crust mix (minus two tablespoons of the butter recommended on the mix). Separate the pie dough into two discs and wrap them in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator until the pie dough discs are firm (at least an hour). Remove one disc from the refrigerator. Roll the disc between two sheets of waxed paper to approximately ¼” thick. Cut into rounds with a cookie cutter and sprinkle with coarse salt and shredded gruyere cheese. Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes. Cool the crackers on the baking sheet before transferring them to a plate as these are delicate and deliciously flakey.