Please help me chose a dinner menu for a guest I don't know well....?!
1.) Baked Chicken Breast, seasoned with whatever herbs I have on hand
Brown Rice with parsley cooked in broth
Green veggie (broc or green beans, doesn't matter)
Homemade french bread I just pulled from the oven
2.) Chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers, italian cheese (parm, mozz and cream cheese) and roasted garlic baked with spaghetti sauce
Some pasta saide (?)
A green veggie (Broc or GB again)
Garlic bread made with the homemade french bread
Suggestions are VERY welcome. Thanks!
Answers: My hubby has a friend flying in from across the country, and he's coming for dinner tonight. I don't know him well at all, and have no idea what he likes or dislikes. Which of these menus sound better to you?
1.) Baked Chicken Breast, seasoned with whatever herbs I have on hand
Brown Rice with parsley cooked in broth
Green veggie (broc or green beans, doesn't matter)
Homemade french bread I just pulled from the oven
2.) Chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers, italian cheese (parm, mozz and cream cheese) and roasted garlic baked with spaghetti sauce
Some pasta saide (?)
A green veggie (Broc or GB again)
Garlic bread made with the homemade french bread
Suggestions are VERY welcome. Thanks!
I have only one question: What time is dinner? What a wonderful hostess you are, I have to agree with all the others on #1 even though #2 would be my personal fav, but then I am a pasta freak. I would suggest the green beans, again my fav. BTW the homemade bread is a particularly nice touch.
They both sound delicious!
But I think the first one is probably a meal that most people would like.
So I say the Baked Chicken Breast meal.
Yum!
Both sound wonderful and I'm sure a gracious guest would enjoy either. However, I'd go with #1 just in case he has an aversion to strongly-seasoned foods (probably more garlic in the Italian chicken).
those sound really good - wish i were your guest
have fresh fruit and cheese for dessert
Stay away from herbs as not everyone appreciates their pungent flavor. Otherwise either menu sounds yummy!
I would prefer #2, but I would suggest #1. Because of people's allergies and flavor issues you want to go pretty simple. If he is carb wary he can still have chicken and veggies. Cheese and tomato sauce tend to be sore points. People with ulcers or funny bellies don't eat sauce. Cheese is full of fat and also cuts out those lacto funny people.
When I don't know someone I generally do something like menu #1 with some twists. You might want to have a dish of toasted almonds on the side for sauteed greed beans. Instead of garlic bread have fresh roasted garlic paste, olive oil and balsamic on the side for the bread. Perhaps make a roasted red pepper sauce for baked chicken breast. You get the point. Make things pretty basic with a lot of things to spice things up.
I like option 1 better. The more basic is better for someone you don't know. You probably need to ask your husband if he knows about any allergies or special considerations you need to make. Is the friend a vegetarian or allergic to gluten? Good luck!!
Very many people have given up on eating chicken because of the manner in which they are reared and their tasteless meat. So unless you know of a real free-range old fashioned farm, don't serve chicken to someone well travelled. If it's poultry you want I suggest you use wild pheasant or wild duck marinaded in real cider for at least 24 hours.
Your guest might be vegetarian, or if travelling might have little appetite. I suggest you make an interesting pasta with a sauce of fresh tomatoes, red wine,tomato paste,basil, sweet peppers, cut up black olives, a little chili, and steamed asparagus tips thrown on top of the serving Then afterwards serve an apple pie you've made yourself...don't forget to add minced ginger root, a stick of Cinnamon and a healthy shot of Cognac! Good luck!
I like menu #1. It sounds very good, something that would appeal to a lot of people and doesn't sound as complicated FOR YOU to make like #2.
Enjoy the dinner.
1. Can your husband ask his friend?
If not... go with the first one. they both sound great.
Go with number 1, always best to keep it simple unless you know someones tastes, Homemade bread is a nice touch too :)
The best is not to use chicken breast becos the meat can b very tough when bake.Instead of using chicken breast,you can use chicken thigh.Season the chicken thigh with some salt,pepper and herbs.add some cajun spice.Heat up a pan and start searin the skin then the meat wif low heat.
for the starch, you can cook some risotto rice with chicken broth.for the veg,any veg will do. Try to make any soup u like.you can make mushroom soup becos it serve best wif garlic bread ;)