Light lunch summer recipes please

[bananaskin123]

Wonder if anyone could help. We're having a light lunch get together at home for approximately 14 people. No children just friends. I can do the drink bits. I really want something that's easy to plate up. Was thinking of a whole salmon but would really prefer individual salmon portions but with some interest on the top so they don't look bland and they taste good. Another choice I've thought of is MB's chicken, avocado and bacon salad increased to serve us all, potato salad and a greek salad. We're all quite ancient so don't have huge appetites! Any other suggestions that might go down well please. Oh for puds I was thinking of trifle which seems to have come back into fashion plus a crumble maybe but would really love some suggestions please. It's 5 years since the last time we were all together so they'll have forgotten the menu then (so have I!).

Most recently I’ve done stuffed peppers https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/mains/spanakopita-stuffed-peppers with a salad.
In the past I’ve also done:
Quiche, new potatoes and salad
Puff pastry tarts (goats cheese and tomato)
Vietnamese rice noodle salad
Prawn pilaf

Crumble doesn’t seem very summery. How about Eton mess or Bakewell tart?

If you do individual salmon portions you can dress them differently. Some with a row of sliced cucumber and dill, some with sliced lemons, some baked with soy and sweet chilli glaze, dressed with slivers of spring onion or pickled ginger.Display them in rows or as a patchwork.

I often do a simple puff pastry tart. Either pesto with finely sliced very well drained roast peppers, baby plum or sun dried tomatoes and olives on top, with fresh basil leaves garnigh, or herby cream cheese, wafter thin slices of courgette ( use veg peeler) tossed in oil and petis pois with lemon zest and thyme, or roast red onions, black olives and anchovies if people like a stronger flavour.

I made a crumble from plums and nectarines with almonds and oats in the topping this week. Was very summery especially if served with cream or ice cream, not custard.

I would do a ham, green salad and new potatoes. Easy easy and everyone has to like it, surely?

Or a selection of salads like cous cous with sundried tomatoes, peppers, sultanas in, Greek salad, roasted nectarines with mozzarella, green salad, crusty bread and butter. Maybe some chicken for those who like meat.

The salmon idea is perfect with, as you say, one green salad and either potato salad or baby new potatoes. Keep it simple. I recently had salmon fillets with honey, lemon & sweet chilli, but have made it before baked plain with butter & lemon and a creamy watercress sauce in a jug to pour as desired.

Pudding - 1 big trifle or tiramisu and 1 crumble. I love the idea of pp’s, plum and nectarine or apple, served with ice cream.

All can be prepared beforehand. I would love this meal!

I think the salmon idea is nice. I think the individual portion idea is good too. I would go for fillets rather than cutlet cut.

Personally I would do the trife and maybe something like meringues with lemon Curd and Raspberries if you have people who do not like cream. Crumble is a Autumn/Winter dish for me regardless of the fruit.

Mary's salmon has been a hit with my guests. The topping means you don't get the leak of white protein which makes salmon look a bit unappetising.
A bit fiddly to prepare, but that can be done well before your guests arrive and then just popped in the oven
https://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/recipe/salmon-fillets-with-herbs-and-red-pepper