Luncheon porch party featuring kahlua

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

A dear old family friend is coming for a porch get together sometime early July. Once again I get to have the fun of returning to thinking about party menus!! Our two families go way back to childhood for our parents, and our Moms were good friends, so I want to evoke some of the memories of good past summer times spent together. They lived on a lake and we had a boat so we often picnicked but I don't remember anything special food-wise other than standard good outdoor summer fare, but I do remember her Mom liked to make cocktails and it was at her house I first tasted kahlua. Her mom made kahlua milkshakes, she was one of those people with a high metabolism so could eat almost anything and not gain weight, but I'm not so blessed.

So I'm thinking I will serve low fat white russian cocktails. Even low fat they are dairy rich so I'm trying to think of a light summer lunch/appetizer menu that will go good. Since kahlua is Mexican I'm thinking light Mexican easy on the dairy.

Chips and a good guacamole would be one thing. Maybe some type of macerated fruit on skewers, and then I'm' thinking maybe grilled chicken fajitas because hubs likes them, or grilled fish or shrimp fajitas and sweet potato salad. Another option would be some type of grilled fish served over a bed of black beans and rice or the quinoa corn salsa featured below. I'm not lovin the idea of salmon with coffee flavor but maybe I'm wrong. I like this recipe for grilled baramundi, but that's not a fish I can get her in the upper Midwest. We don't get the diversity of ocean fish, and what we do get is best bought frozen, out here in the sticks. Tuna would be an option. I have flounder, but it's so soft . . . halibut would be a rare find . . . I'd rather not do tilapia or pollock, which are the fishes du jour here . . . I don't live close enough to the great lakes to get fresh whitefish or lake perch. I can easily get little pan fishes, mostly sunfish. I'd rather not serve those even though they are wonderful, because they take a long time to fry up, so many. I'd rather do something substantive I can make on the grill in one grilled swoop.

https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/barramundi-tacos-black-quinoa-corn-salsa/a2ca6493-4d34-4577-8c0a-2b0e5c7c0fb8?current_section=recipes

Edited to add that if I invite my grumpy Dad, he could bring a basket of the lake perch and hubs could busy himself making them. That would be a great memory for both Dad and my friend and since hubs is kinda shy, would give him something to do. I haven't seen my friend in three years, not sure I want to subject her to my Dad for an extended period of time. However, her mom and dad were two of his best friends. But he is so depressed he just brings everyone else down and reminds everyone of what is missing, not enjoying what we have . . . I'm torn on that one.

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Comments (11)

l pinkmountain
Original Author
2 years ago
I stand corrected on the barramundi. I did not know it was a popular fish for aquaculture so I found some farm raised stuff in the freezer section at the store. Have not had it, going to try it. Something tells me it might be a lot like farm raised catfish or tillapia.
Coco
2 years ago
Personal opinion, but I think Margaritas or Sangria would go better with your menu. I love Kahlua, but wouldn't want it with food. I'd use it in a dessert instead.
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plllog
2 years ago
Kahlua is fab poured over ice cream if you're looking for something easy and cooling. I was thinking aguas frescas might be a more refreshing drink. My favorite is jamaica (hybiscus) but it doesn't mix well with some people's medications.

I don't know anything about the fish part of the fish dish, but I think that sounds like a nice lunch. In general, I think the often stated more often broken, adage against fish and dairy products is stupid, but I don't think Mexican fish dishes would go well with either the White Russians, or shakes or ice cream. Dairy isn't great when it's hot anyway (even ice cream). How about a Kalua iced coffee slushy, or something kahlua coconut tropical? Kahlua sorbet?

So...if you want the lake perch, could you have your dad over the evening before? Have a nice visit with him and a bucket of fish?
Coco
2 years ago
Kahlua over ice cream is divine!
cloudy_christine
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I see I'm not the first to point out how good it is with ice cream!

My favorite thing with Kahlua is the simplest dessert in the world. Put a dip of good chocolate ice cream in a pretty dish. Poke a hole in it with the end of a wooden spoon. Fill the hole with chilled Kahlua. It is delicious.
l pinkmountain
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes I'm thinking of the kahlua as a dessert option so yes, having a hard time figuring out a lunch that goes with the coffee flavor and is light and summery. But obviously ice cream is summery . . . the only reason I wanted white russians is I really need the vodka!! ;)
l pinkmountain
Original Author
2 years ago
Yeah, maybe sangria and guac and chips, the fried fish isn't really "light lunch" fare so maybe seafood salad and then the ice cream as an "amuse bouche" kind of thing for dessert.
colleenoz
2 years ago
Kahlua cheesecake is popular here.
lindac92
2 years ago
A white Russian before dinner can be an appetite killer....Try an espresso martini instead...or save the kaluah for dessert.

I would make a Mohito with vodka and serve whatever mexican meal you choose and serve the Kaluaha as a cordial with a small cookie for dessert.
l pinkmountain
Original Author
2 years ago
Luncheon is tomorrow. Doing basic burgers on the grill, will give hubs something to do. I'm having a black bean burger. Making sweet potato salad and coleslaw as sides, and guacamole and corn chips for an appetizer. Ice cream with kahlua for dessert. Sweet and simple. I'm going to make the coleslaw with cilantro and pineapple, a favorite of mine. Or maybe apple, I have a bunch to use up . . . not sure what to drink, I may just buy another bottle of the sangria I like at the store. Or maybe mint ice tea, rather than something alcoholic . . .
l pinkmountain
Original Author
2 years ago
Didn't take photos, forgot. Was fun. One of my nicer luncheon menus. We ended up mostly drinking iced tea. Did not have fresh mint so I didn't want to do mojiotos or mint iced tea. I had some plum tea so had that with lemon. Then bottled white sangria with lemon lime flavored soda water to cut the sweet. That was good. No one wants to eat or drink too much anymore, particularly sweets. Everyone just had one tiny scoop of ice cream. Man double chocolate almond ice cream (that's what was on sale) with kahlua is the bomb! I could gain a lot of weight having that stuff around on a regular basis . . .

Luncheon porch party featuring kahlua

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l pinkmountain
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Coco

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Luncheon porch party featuring kahlua

Comments (11)

l pinkmountainOriginal Author

Coco

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Coco

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