So, we're having a couple of people over to our house on Saturday night. Apparently my husband has told them that I'll be cooking dinner. This makes me nervous. Not that I am a bad cook, I'm just not very creative and nobody's ever told me that I make great food.
Most of the time when we have get togethers at our place, they are of the casual variety. I'm talking pizza, or a quick pasta. Come to think of it, we usually get some kind of take-out when we have guests. Maybe this is a good indicator of our laziness.
Anyway, I've never been great at "entertaining." And now I am stressing. What can I make for dinner this Saturday? I need something simple but good. I'm not even opposed to a bunch of really yummy (impressive looking) appetizers so everyone can fill up on those. But I need help.
Any suggestions?
Most of the time when we have get togethers at our place, they are of the casual variety. I'm talking pizza, or a quick pasta. Come to think of it, we usually get some kind of take-out when we have guests. Maybe this is a good indicator of our laziness.
Anyway, I've never been great at "entertaining." And now I am stressing. What can I make for dinner this Saturday? I need something simple but good. I'm not even opposed to a bunch of really yummy (impressive looking) appetizers so everyone can fill up on those. But I need help.
Any suggestions?
13 Comments:
Hi, Kelly! Delurking to evangelize the wonder that is slow-cooker chili! I have a super easy recipe that's only a little more than dumping cans of beans and tomatoes in a crock pot and letting it simmer for 3 or 6 hours. You can use any type of ground meat or just use extra beans for a veggie version. It's my staple for entertaining even though it's not very fancy. We just bake a bunch of potatoes, set out sour cream and cheddar cheese, and throw together a salad. Plus, if you make a ton (like I usually do), chili freezes really well for leftovers or emergency dinners.
I can email you the recipe if you're convinced...
My trick is always the baked brie. And it is sooooooo easy, but guests are always impressed.
You need: a nice wedge of brie, puff pastry, strawberry or raspberry preserves and frozen (or fresh) strawberries or raspberries, and egg wash (just an egg, beaten in a bowl).
On a piece of tinfoil, spread out the slightly thawed puff pastry... place the brie on the pastry, cut the top rind off. Place preserves on top of the cheese, and place fresh berries on top of the preserves--not a ton, just a nice layer.
Wrap the puff pastry around the cheese by bringing the corners in. Pinch edges together--and if you get extra creative, you can use a spare piece of pastry and roll out an initial or a heart or whatever.
Once the brie wedge is fully ensconced in puff pastry, generously coat with the egg wash.
Bake in the oven at 350 for a half hour. Let it cool for another half hour.
Take off the foil, put on a serving platter. Serve with slices of baguette, sliced pears and apples with green & red grape garnish.
Works every time!
Also, a homemade soup is always nice. Email me and I'll be happy to share my recipe for turkey veggie soup or chicken noodle--classics that are always appreciated.
Deeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!
Good luck. What time should we be there?!
I'd start with soup, easy and can be made in advance, a favourite of mine is pea and mint soup.
Follow this with a really easy dish of Italian chicken served with rice, easy to prepare then bung in the oven.
Dessert is easy it you make a meringue dish like pavlova.
Email me if you want any recipes!
I agree with everyone who recommended chili or soup! I tried a Rachael Ray recipe for Double Chicken Dumpling soup a couple weeks ago and it looked fancy but was totally easy!
The first is a great appetizer and the second is a really cute dessert if you're like me and LOVE smores!
Rustic Focaccia
1 package (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Pantry Italian Seasoning Mix
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 can (3.25 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Additional Italian Seasoning Mix
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Unroll pizza dough onto Large Round Stone, shaping into a circle. Using lightly floured Baker's Roller, roll dough to edge of baking stone.
2. In small bowl, combine oil, seasoning mix and garlic (I use garlic from a jar and it works just as well); mix well. Spread oil mixture evenly over crust using scraper; top with 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
3.Slice olives (I buy olives already sliced). Chop onion. Thinly slice tomatoes. Sprinkle olives and onion over dough; top with tomatoes and remaining mozzarella cheese. Grate Parmesan cheese over dough; sprinkle with additional seasoning mix.
4. Bake 23-26 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares; serve
S'mores Galore
26 Honey Maid Graham Crackers
6 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of milk
1 bag Mini Marshmallows
6 Hershey Bars
In Large Bar Pan, line 13 graham crackers on bottom of pan and toast in oven for 2 minutes at 350. With food chopper, chop finely 3 bars of Hershey’s chocolate. In small microcooker, add 3 cups marshmallows, chopped chocolate, 3 tablespoons of butter, and the milk. Microwave covered for 1 minute, stir well until all melted. Quickly spread on top of toasted graham crackers in bar pan, marshmallow spread will thicken as you spread. In a medium size bowl, coarsely break up the remaining graham crackers. Melt remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in microwave and pour into bowl, toss/stir to evenly coat crackers. Chop coarsely remaining 3 Hershey bars. Add chocolate and remaining marshmallows to bowl, toss to mix. Spread evenly on top of bar pan and bake 8-10 minutes or until marshmallows begin to brown.
Yeah, so....my comment is a complete waste of your time given I don't have many skills in the kitchen and my "entertaining" consists of take out :) Anyway...I HAVE done fondue. Easy and delish. The taco making line from CPA Mom? Done that and works great. Same with a fajita assembly line.
Given that you're cooking skills are basically tied up with the baby you're building...don't go crazy. Don't stress yourself over it...they're there for you and the husband...not a kick ass dinner that took you days to prepare for and hours to cook :)
I would have said something easy like a pasta.. maybe risotto? Easy and YUMMO.
(And YES with the soup.)
Something easy to make for a bunch of people is enchiladas. I usually do chicken. Then you can serve other easy things as side dishes such as chips and guacamole, salsa, black beans, etc.
Can you grill steaks and baked potatoes or is it still to cold there? That's what we always do when guest's come over. Can't go wrong w/ steak.
My favorite thing in a flash is to make up this simple chicken bake, a nice salad and pick up dessert from the local bakery.
Chicken Bake -
2 boxes Stove Top Cornbread Stuffing
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or use cream of celery if you are allergic to mushrooms)
6-8 chicken breasts (depending on the size)
1 pkg of shredded cheddar chesse
1 pkg of shredded mozzarella cheese
Mix the stuffing according to the pkg directions and pat into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan (I spray the bottom of the pan with a little olive oil). Place the chicken breasts on top of the stuffing. Pour the cans of soup over the chicken breasts (it will be thick, so you will need to spread it around). Top with both cheeses (I usually use all of it, but you can use how ever much you like). Cover with foil and bake at 325 for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to brown the cheese a little. That's it...
I can't do a damn think other than wish you luck. My specialty is mac and cheese (from the box).
So, GOOD LUCK!
So, how did it go?
Okay, I say go to www.thepioneerwoman.com and make her lasagna. It looks delish! She is an awesome cook, I hope to try this dish myself one day.
Can't wait to hear what you decide to serve and how it goes.
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