cold main course

[avid baker]

I am going to a ceilidh this weekend where each table brings its own food. Any suggestions for a cold main course? (excluding mushrooms and prawns due to allergies). The only other main course being brought is a chicken salad but more chicken dishes would not be a problem.

[lorri24601]

some nice ideas from Delia
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/selections/ salads-with-a-twist-all-occasion-ideas,192,RS. html

[beanebabe]

A rice or pasta salad would complement the chicken dish. bbcgoodfood.com would have lots of ideas. Hope you have a good time.

[Jugglering]

How about a Cheese & Onion/Vegetable quiche.... or a Scone Roll (a savoury scone mix with finely chopped stir fried veg and some cheese, all rolled up and baked) or even a Pizza - home made ones are great served up cold with stuff like rice salad, potato salad, tabouleh etc etc. Stuffed tortillas (say cooked kidney beans, crunchy salad and mayo) are another option and very easy to prepare. If you want any recipes for these, just shout !

[avid baker]

Thanks- Lorri I found a smoked salmon tart on the Delia website which has turned out well. Juggerling I'd love the recipe for the scone roll please!

[Jugglering]

Mushroom Scone Roll (adapted from a Gail Duff recipe)

4 oz wholemeal flour
4 oz plain white flour
� tsp salt
� tsp bicarbonate of soda
� tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp dried thyme
1� oz butter
� pint milk (approx)
4 oz mushrooms
1 small onion
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 oz mature cheddar, grated

Preheat the oven to 200 deg c, Gas Mark 6. Finely chop the mushrooms and onions and lightly fry in � oz of the butter until they are soft. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Mix together the flours, salt, bicarb, cream of tartar and thyme in a large bowl, then rub in the remaining 1 oz of butter. Stir in enough milk (about � pint) to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured board, knead lightly, then roll the dough out to a rectangle � inch thick, spread the cooled vegetables over the dough, leaving a small gap all the way round at the edges. Scatter over the parsley and grated cheese then roll the dough up. Place it on a floured baking sheet and bake straight away* for 25 � 30 minutes until golden brown. Can be eaten hot or cold. If you like them, you could add other veg � say finely chopped red peppers or bean sprouts for a lovely crunch. If you like spicy food, add a little chopped fresh chilli to the veg . (*Don�t leave the scone roll uncooked for too long � a chemical reaction takes place between the liquid (milk) and the bicarb & cream of tartar which causes the dough to rise)

[tiggerblue10]

Potato salad:

Boil some potatoes (with or without skins, your preference), drain and chop whilst still fairly hot..
Chop up some onion and add to the potato.
Add mayonaise while potatoes are still warm to soak it up.

This always goes down well whenever I make it and its fairly simple.

[May1982]

When I go to such events I always bring a cold pasta salad.
Its great and you dont have to worry about heating it:
http://www.sutree.com/Learn.aspx?q=pasta+salad

Enjoy

[avid baker]

Thanks for all suggestions. I did not have time in the end to do the scone roll but will definitely give it a go this weekend. I did two pates and a smoked salmon quiche(Delia) all of which went well. A great evening but I am bruised on both arms as usual from dancing Strip the Willow....
.

[Jugglering]

Strip the Willow? ... now the mind boggles... lol

[spudqueen]

A bit late for last weekend, but I once went to a summer ball where each table brought it's own food. My table ordered an indian take away - one of our party collected it on the way - and we had those warmers that you use with tea lights, everyone complimented us on our choice of food!

[avid baker]

No need to boggle, Juggerling. Strip the Willow is a traditional Scottish Country Dance involving much whirling of dancing partners by the arm. It can get a bit wild hence why people can get bruised from people grabbing onto arms to hold on. Great fun!