Heating food indoors during the warm months of summer quickly heats up the house. When planning a buffet style indoor summer meal for family and friends, avoid anything that requires heating. Opt for light summer foods that are healthy, filling and delicious. They are easy to plan and prepare, and they are ideal when it is hot outside, even if it is comfortable and cool indoors. Set up a buffet style meal on a dining table, a countertop or any convenient indoor location, and let guest serve themselves from a wide variety of cool summertime fare.
I enjoy serving light summer buffet style meals, and I go out of my way to select foods that do not require cooking or a lot of preparation. Each summer I host a meal for my kids, their girlfriends and my parents, and everyone brings a dish. When they ask what to bring, I give them a number of cold and uncooked options from salad blends for sandwiches to raw veggies, and everyone looks forward to my annual summertime celebration.
Serve a Variety of Salads for Light Summer Sandwiches
Some of the most popular light summer foods on my buffet are cold sandwich spreads. I buy ready made egg salad from my local deli since it is delicious and low in price, and I prepare chicken salad for sandwiches. My article entitled Other Ways to Make Chicken Salad gives away many of my secrets for the best chicken salad for sandwiches, cracker toppings and more.
http://voices.yahoo.com/other-ways-chicken-salad-8021946.html
Prepare a Light and Colorful Fresh Fruit Salad
My daughter and I love fruit salad, and I serve it on my light summer buffet. Consider adding two or three types of melon chunks, red and green seedless grapes, blueberries and strawberries. I never serve a light summer buffet without fruit salad, and I always provide fat free whipped topping for added decadency. The kids and adults love it, and I have very little left at the end of my summer celebration.
Served a Variety of Cheese Slices
When planning a light summer buffet meal that includes sandwiches, cheese slices are a must. Not everyone likes ordinary American cheese. Provide guests with a good selection that includes Swiss, Muenster, pepper jack and cheddar. Provide crackers for snacking before the meal begins. Most people like cheese, and offering a wide variety will satisfy every palate.
Roll Up Thinly Sliced Ham and Turkey Breast
Cold meat and egg salads are great, but not everyone likes mayo. A light summer buffet style meal should include at least two types of sliced meat. Roll up thinly sliced ham and turkey breast for starters. Most people that eat meat like one or the other, and they can make filling sandwiches layered with cheese and other cold toppings.
Offer Kaiser Rolls for Buffet Sandwiches
I prefer Kaiser rolls to bread, and when I plan a light summer buffet I serve Kaiser rolls of various types. I purchase them fresh from a local bakery. They make delicious sandwiches, and they are far better than any type of ordinary sliced bread. Save the sliced bread for everyday light summer meals, and give your buffet guests the very best.
Source: Food Preparation and Entertaining Experience
