Fried Chicken and Cheesesteaks

Very similar to the light supper I posted a few weeks ago, but after all, aren't all meals a variation on theme? This tray consisted of Brie (which I found in a thin stick form from Trader Joes!), sliced salami, the always fun TINY champagne grapes , a granny smith apple, pate compagne (a rougher pate), and ligonberry jam to compliment the brie. I served with a variety of crackers.

As we continue our heat wave here in Philadelphia, here is another don't-heat-up-the-kitchen idea, which is also great for an elegant picnic. Choose a couple of types of cheese: 1 soft, semi-spreadable cheese (saint andre, brie, etc.) - serve in a chunk garnish for soft cheese: fig spread, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, marmalade ... 1 hard nuttier cheese (parrano, asiago, swiss) - cut into smaller bits 1 medium cheese, if desired (dubliner, sharp cheddar) - cut into squares sliced hard salami or summer sausage garnish for salami: whole grain mustard (I was out this time) Hearty crackers and/or sliced baguette Pate is also a wonderful addition. Or smoked salmon and cream cheese. My tray yesterday included Saint Andre Cheese, Ligonberry jam, mushroom liver pate, chianti salami, baguette, and parrano. I served with a fruit salad of cantelope and blueberries, and a separate salad of mixed greens, thousand island and thin slices of radish. You can also make a larger version o...