Hi all. We're lucky enough to have a summer home in the south of France where we can welcome friends all summer. The only unlucky bit is the catering. I don't love to cook on the best of days and the constant meal planning, running to the shops (25 mins away), cooking, cleaning etc (and separate meals for adults and children) is really driving me nutters. Part of the problem is that I need to collect a neat set of reliable recipes that I can master (and I need to learn how to stock a cupboard properly at the beginning of the season.)
Many guests just pitch right in and shop//offer to cook... these are the easy weeks. But still I'd really like to collect a set of recipes that I can prep quickly in the morning and not get nervous about. Ideally the recipes would be made from easy-to-get ingredients as the shops aren't terribly exotic here (can find soy sauce but not fish sauce).
I tend to slice fresh veg (tomatoes, avocado, cucumbers, etc) w cheese/cold meats for lunch but also need some composed salads with starches and/or interesting cold meat dishes that can be done quickly or ahead.
For dinner we tend to barbeque but as my husband is French we don't have a natural barbequer on hand. Simple (fail-proof?) recipes for salmon and other steak fish, chicken, and/or non-barbeque main or side recipes that are a bit special would be appreciated.
Wondering how other netumus handle summer guests? I'd be grateful for recipes but also any general advise on stocking the larder, planning, keeping a smile on my face whilst catering!!
(recipes low in wheat and high in other grains would be especially appreciated)
thanks very much for your help!!
Nancy