Our son and his family live out of state and we couldn't be together, so I decided to get some things finished around the house. Remember those things I was whining about?
Saturday, I still hadn't finished staining the deck, so Hubby took pity on me and finished the rest of it... and the stairs.
The weather was really nice so while the deck was drying, I decided to set up the little table and chairs under the tree in the side yard.
Hubby loves cold cuts and cheese, so to thank him for finishing the deck, I decided to make him a Ploughman's Lunch.
This is rather a quick meal and no cooking... yay! For a quick table cover, I used the four napkins I got earlier in the week and overlapped them for a casual look.
I had seen the Ploughman's Lunch on Barefoot Contessa when Ina and Jeffrey went to London. It's basiclly what I'd normally do for a cold supper, roast beef or ham, a couple of kinds of cheese, a nice hearty bread and fruit. Most of the recipes I read, mentioned Branston pickle, but Ina used chutney.
I found Branston's in the local grocery store and it's really delicious with the meat and cheese.
Instead of using a platter, which I normally use for cold suppers, I decided to use the cutting board idea I'd seen on Barefoot Contessa.
Here's Ina's recipe.
Emeril had a recipe for Ploughman's Lunch, but it was w-a-y too involved.
Do you get the idea that I watch a lot of Food Network? Well, not very much. ;)
A couple of the first photos, I didn't have a flower in the basket, but I'm sure you didn't notice that. :)
It was so nice in the shade of the tree...and no humidity or bugs, for a change.
Today, however, is a typical, hot, muggy, 90 degrees here. It looks like that will be the last of our outdoor lunches for a while.
Do you make a Ploughman's Lunch?
What do you put in yours?
Thanks for stopping by.
Be sure to visit Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Tablescape Thursday
15 comments:
Ploughman's Lunch is one of the first meals I eat when I return to England.
Almost always served in the pubs, especially in the summertime, and not only is it refreshing, but so tasty and fresh.
I'm with you, I'd rather have the Branston Pickle or even Pickled Onions on the side.
I'm drooling as I stare at your table ;)
How lovely.
~Jo
Oh yummy! That table looks delicious! And it all looks so rustic and savory! I always serve cheese on boards, I just like the look more.. country-ish! ;) You've got a wonderful blog here, nice meeting you!
Hugs,
As they say ~~~ you learn something new every day! I have never heard of Ploughman's Lunch!!! This looks so precious all set up under the shade of your tree. I love your overlapped napkins for tablecloth. Looks like some expensive tablecloth! ;)
Thanks for sharing with us. I really enjoyed this sweet post.
Donna
Babs, this looks delicious and I'm sure it was appreciated. We frequently do something similar. It's quick and easy and filling. Love the look of your table in the shade. Alfresco dining ~ it's the best! ~ sarah
This looks like a perfect meal and such a nice setting too! I'm sure you both enjoyed it:@)
Hi, Babs! I don't think I have ever heard of a Ploughman's Lunch, but this looks fantastic! What a beautiful way to serve a quick but filling & satisfying meal!
This is just the kind of lunch, J and I like best. It all looks absolutely wonderful, Babs!
Thanks for giving me an idea for lunch tomorrow...or supper this evening.:-)
Babs,
Oh how romantic! I adore how you used the napkins overlapping for a table cover...cleaver idea for those smaller tables!!! I enjoy Saturday morning breakfast on the deck this time of year! Thank you for such a lovely post and wonderful luncheon idea!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Totally love this kind of meal. The way you set it up takes a prize! It's very well arranged and so very appetizing. Thanks so much for sharing!
Babs, that should be in a magazine! The hydrangea is gorgeous...
This post brought tears to my eyes.
My mom was English. All of these pictures remind me of similar spreads that we would enjoy when we visited her family when I was a child.
Mom passed away 4 years ago, so the memories that this brought forth were very special. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I love a good Ploughman's Lunch and yours is just perfect. I can't think of a thing I'd do differently.
I did know we were eating a Ploughman's Lunch when eating a cold supper. I'm gonna have google this. Your's looks great!
This is lovely. I especially like the napkins put together for a tablecloth.I never heard of a ploughmans lunch, but it looks delicious to me.
A Ploughman's lunch sounds delicious. Just the kinds of things I like to have at a meal. Your setting surely adds to the relaxed and charming appeal of this type of lunch. Beautiful!
Tammy
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