Bret Maverick referred to the spread provided by Samantha as “Opulent.” This may have been, in some small part, due to the inclusion of a pineapple (long associated with royalty and the incredibly rich) as the centerpiece of the fruit tray.
The foods should be served in bite-sized pieces, easily maneuvered with a fork, or as sandwiches. Sticky fingers are frowned upon in card games.
Fruit Tray
Melon slices (cantaloupe, honeydew, musk, watermelon)
Pineapple slices
Grapes (Black, red, or green)
Apple slices dipped in lemon juice
Possible additions:
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Cherries (Napoleon Bigarreau (Royal Ann, Royal Anne, Queen Anne), Black Republican, Bing)
Garnish suggestions; Mint
Meat Tray
Thinly sliced beef, ham, proscutti crudo
Tomato cup stuffed with caviar
Cherry tomatoes
Radishes (Victorian chef’s would have rendered them in fanciful shapes and designs)
Cherry peppers
Thinly sliced rye bread
Possible additions:
Salami slices
Sourdough bread slices
Cheese slices
Garnish suggestions: fresh dill, fresh parsley, capers
Relish Tray
Olives (Amfissa, Castelvetrano, Cerignola, Gordal, Kalamata, Manzanilla, Mission, Niçoise, Nyon, Picholine)
Gherkins
Cornichons
Suggested additions::
Pickled banana pepper rings
Pickled onions
Marinated quail eggs
Fruit Epergne
Whole apples
Grapes
Williams/Stair’s (Bartlett) pears