Wedding Shower Brunch

Planning a wedding shower? Here is a great menu to get you started!

Watermelon Kiwi Lemonade

4 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into fourths
1 tablespoon sugar
8 cups cubed seedless watermelon
2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen lemonade concentrate
4 cups water

1. Place kiwifruit and sugar in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed just until smooth. Freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
2. Place watermelon in blender or food processor (blender will be full until blended). Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Place frozen lemonade concentrate and water in large pitcher. Add watermelon mixture; mix well.
3. Pour watermelon lemonade into glasses. Spoon dollop of frozen kiwifruit on top. Serve immediately.

Cucumber Slices Provençal

1 large English or burpless cucumber, chilled
1/3 cup sun-dried tomato spread
3 tablespoons crumbled chèvre (goat) cheese
Fresh basil leaves, if desired

1. Make lines or indentations lengthwise down cucumber at 1/4-inch intervals, using vegetable peeler or tines of fork. Cut cucumber into 32 slices, 1/2 inch each. Place on paper towels to drain. 2. Spread each slice with about 1 teaspoon tomato spread. Sprinkle each with about 1/2 teaspoon cheese.
3. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 1 hour. Top each slice with basil leaf just before serving.

Pesto and Roasted-Vegetable Sandwich Loaf

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 12 pieces
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 12 pieces
1 cup whole fresh mushroom, cut in half
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 uncut oblong loaf Italian bread (15 to 16 ounces)
1 container (8 ounces) soft cream cheese with chives and onions
Fresh herbs and herb flowers, if desired

1. Heat oven to 450ºF. Spray jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch, with cooking spray. Toss bell peppers and mushrooms with oil in pan. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp-tender. Refrigerate 15 minutes to chill.
2. Coarsely chop roasted vegetables. Mix chopped vegetables, parsley and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; set aside. Mix chicken, 1/2 cup mayonnaise and the pesto.
3. Cut bread horizontally into 4 layers. Place bottom layer on plate or tray. Spread with half of the pesto filling. Top with bread layer. Spoon vegetable filling over bread layer. Top with bread layer. Spread with remaining pesto filling. Top with remaining bread layer.
4. Spread cream cheese over outside of sandwich loaf. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish loaf with fresh herbs. Cut into 8 slices; cut each slice in half. Store covered in refrigerator.

Berry Cheesecake in Chocolate Crust

2 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups berries

1. Heat oven to 325ºF. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press on bottom and slightly up side of ungreased springform pan, 9x3 inches, to seal bottom.
2. Place cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup sour cream and the orange peel in food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Add eggs. Cover and process until well blended. Spread over crust.
3. Bake about 1 hour 20 minutes or until center is set. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Run metal spatula along side of cheesecake to loosen; remove side of pan. Refrigerate uncovered 3 hours; cover and continue refrigerating at least 4 hours.
4. Mix 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons sugar; spread over top of cheesecake. Top with berries.