THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606060053
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By BETTY DOUGLASS, SPECIAL TO FLAVOR
LENGTH: 43 lines
WHETHER THE occasion is a graduation, bridal shower or a weekend supper with friends, make it easy on yourself with a festive sandwich buffet.
Start with loaves from supermarket bakeries and speciality shops. Offer sourdoughs, multi-grain, brown breads, herb-filled, fruit breads and flatbreads. If you purchase them unsliced, they will remain fresh longer.
After you've selected the breads, choose sandwich fillings and spreads from these easy make-ahead recipes.
The number of breads and fillings to choose depends on the number of guests, your time and budget.
To round out the buffet, offer a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. For dessert, serve one or two sweet breads with a a fruit butter or marmalade.
Plan your presentation around your serving area. If it's to be a casual event, place a loaf or two in a basket on a small table along with the accompanying filling, a serrated knife and spreader. Guests can mingle and wander from table to table, dining as they go. Bread tables placed throughout the garden will encourage guests to linger in the yard. Just place one of those new decorator citronella candles on each table to keep the bugs from lingering as well.
Don't forget cutting boards for the breads, spreaders and butter knives, luncheon plates and napkins. Since sandwiches are finger food, you don't have to worry about individual flatware. And since there are no cold cuts, you won't need to worry about condiments either.
So, put on a big spread without a big hassle. MEMO: Betty Douglass is a free-lance food writer and home economist in
Portsmouth. All recipes in this article have been kitchen-tested by the
author. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/The Virginian-Pilot
Foccacia, sourdough and French loaves can accent Deviled Beef Toss,
right, and Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Torte. by CNB