Parents are coming for dinner, what to make?!
My parents and possibly my brother and his girlfriend are coming to dinner this weekend!. I was origanlly having a bigger party but they were the only ones able to make it!. I was going to make Chicken Parmasane since thats yummy and simple for 10 people and mine rocks! But I want to make something a but more creative and such since it will be for 4-6 people!. Any sugguestions would be fab! Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
How sad that so many people think tacos, spaghetti & lasagna are creative:) I can't imagine what their "everyday" meals are!
Green salad with carmelized nuts (either sliced almonds, pecans or walnuts - stirfry in sugar until sugar melts & coats the nuts); toss with sliced red onion and either drained mandarin oranges, or sliced strawberries or fresh raspberries - Use bottled Balsamic Vignarette or Raspberry-Walnut or Raspberry-Pecan Vignarette dressing (depending on which fruit you use)
BUSY DAY CHICKEN KIEV
6 boned & halved chicken breasts
1 c!. butter, softened
1 clove garlic, minced fine
1 TB!. EACH chopped parsley & chives
1 tsp!. salt
1/2 tsp!. EACH pepper and rosemarry
1 c!. sour cream
1 c!. bread crumbs
1/2 c!. parmesan cheese
Mix softened butter with herbs, salt & pepper!. Eoll in 3/4" x 8" long sticks!. Freeze until hard!. Meanwhile, pound chicken breasts flat with mallet!. Lay a butter stick on each breast and roll up!. Secure with toothpick!. Dip in sour cream and roll in combined bread crumbs & parmesan cheese!. Place in single layer on flat dish!. Bake uncovered at 400 for 40 min !.!.!.!. Serves 6-8
Steamed asparagus with butter !.!.!.!.!. Rice Pilaf or Rice & broccoli !.!.!. Maybe a citrus or tropical fruit salad too
Jelly roll for dessert, with whipped cream & sliced berries inside!.!.!.!.!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Green salad with carmelized nuts (either sliced almonds, pecans or walnuts - stirfry in sugar until sugar melts & coats the nuts); toss with sliced red onion and either drained mandarin oranges, or sliced strawberries or fresh raspberries - Use bottled Balsamic Vignarette or Raspberry-Walnut or Raspberry-Pecan Vignarette dressing (depending on which fruit you use)
BUSY DAY CHICKEN KIEV
6 boned & halved chicken breasts
1 c!. butter, softened
1 clove garlic, minced fine
1 TB!. EACH chopped parsley & chives
1 tsp!. salt
1/2 tsp!. EACH pepper and rosemarry
1 c!. sour cream
1 c!. bread crumbs
1/2 c!. parmesan cheese
Mix softened butter with herbs, salt & pepper!. Eoll in 3/4" x 8" long sticks!. Freeze until hard!. Meanwhile, pound chicken breasts flat with mallet!. Lay a butter stick on each breast and roll up!. Secure with toothpick!. Dip in sour cream and roll in combined bread crumbs & parmesan cheese!. Place in single layer on flat dish!. Bake uncovered at 400 for 40 min !.!.!.!. Serves 6-8
Steamed asparagus with butter !.!.!.!.!. Rice Pilaf or Rice & broccoli !.!.!. Maybe a citrus or tropical fruit salad too
Jelly roll for dessert, with whipped cream & sliced berries inside!.!.!.!.!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
If they like seafood!.!.!.!.it tastes amazing and you can sub in shrimp if they don't like crab same 1 to 1 1/2 pound but i found it works best if the shrimp is cut up
1 or 1 1/2 pounds of crab legs or imitation crab meat (frozen is OK) (1 or 2 packages--depending on how many people will be eating)
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of parsley
1 teaspoon of dillweed
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
2/3 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream (or half n half)
Grated cheese (as much as you like) Pasta (any type will do)
Over low heat (so it doesn't burn) melt the butter, and saute garlic and seafood (break the seafood into whatever size you want)!.
When done, add remaining ingredients and simmer!.
Cook pasta, drain and pour into large bowl!.
Add the seafood mixture and mix well!.
Sprinkle on grated cheese to taste!.
If the mixture looks too thick, add some more heavy cream or half-n-half!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
1 or 1 1/2 pounds of crab legs or imitation crab meat (frozen is OK) (1 or 2 packages--depending on how many people will be eating)
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of parsley
1 teaspoon of dillweed
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
2/3 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream (or half n half)
Grated cheese (as much as you like) Pasta (any type will do)
Over low heat (so it doesn't burn) melt the butter, and saute garlic and seafood (break the seafood into whatever size you want)!.
When done, add remaining ingredients and simmer!.
Cook pasta, drain and pour into large bowl!.
Add the seafood mixture and mix well!.
Sprinkle on grated cheese to taste!.
If the mixture looks too thick, add some more heavy cream or half-n-half!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you can afford it, Surf, and Turf, (steak, and shrimp,) with salad, and garlic bread!. YUM!!!!
If not, try Spaghetti Cassarole, with garlic bread, or breadsticks, and a salad!.
My Spaghetti Cassarole (loved by everybody I know)
Make your typical spaghetti, with the sauce, garlic, onions, mushrooms (whatever you would normally put in your spaghetti dish), and meatballs!.
Grate 1/2 a pound of any good melting cheese you like!. I use cheddar, but provalone is wonderful, too!.
Layer some spaghetti, and some meatballs, then sprinkle on loads of cheese, then repeat until your cassarole dish is filled!.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes!.
Easy!.
You can also make just spaghetti, and giant meatballs!.
Make the meatballs, baseball size, brown them a little to cut out any fat, not long, then put them in your spaghetti sauce you're simmering, and cover!. The meatballs cook in the sauce, and your guests will say Whoa, Nelly!!!! They're delicious!Www@FoodAQ@Com
If not, try Spaghetti Cassarole, with garlic bread, or breadsticks, and a salad!.
My Spaghetti Cassarole (loved by everybody I know)
Make your typical spaghetti, with the sauce, garlic, onions, mushrooms (whatever you would normally put in your spaghetti dish), and meatballs!.
Grate 1/2 a pound of any good melting cheese you like!. I use cheddar, but provalone is wonderful, too!.
Layer some spaghetti, and some meatballs, then sprinkle on loads of cheese, then repeat until your cassarole dish is filled!.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes!.
Easy!.
You can also make just spaghetti, and giant meatballs!.
Make the meatballs, baseball size, brown them a little to cut out any fat, not long, then put them in your spaghetti sauce you're simmering, and cover!. The meatballs cook in the sauce, and your guests will say Whoa, Nelly!!!! They're delicious!Www@FoodAQ@Com
try making something out of the ordinary!. I would go with french foods, seeing how the recipes are upper class but still simple to make in most cercomstances!. (sorry bout the spelling) Anyways, you can do mashes potatoes dresses up, ( 2 big white potatoe boiled, and then mash add garlic/onion powder salt/pepper, and mozorella cheese) egg sordou, or go wih somehting like shepards pie!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Ideas:
Spaghetti-fun to eat and very good, it might be messy
Tacos-creative and very good, also it has culture!
Soup-very good and theres like alot of things you can serve with it like
breadsticks!
Desserts:
Jello-Fun&Creative, also very good after a hot meal!
Cake-very traditional but you can get a very pretty ake with like you family's last name on it or omething!
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Spaghetti-fun to eat and very good, it might be messy
Tacos-creative and very good, also it has culture!
Soup-very good and theres like alot of things you can serve with it like
breadsticks!
Desserts:
Jello-Fun&Creative, also very good after a hot meal!
Cake-very traditional but you can get a very pretty ake with like you family's last name on it or omething!
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Chicken parm would be good for 4-6 also!. Manicotti would be good!. Steak and twice baked potatos and a salad is alway a winner!. Shrimp scampi with rice is good and easy!. A roasted chicken, dressing, etc!. would be good and not too expensive!. Good luck!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Homemade lasagne with a nice salad and bread!.
A turkey - it's surprising in the middle of the summer and interesting!.
Chicken Cordon Bleu - very yummy!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
A turkey - it's surprising in the middle of the summer and interesting!.
Chicken Cordon Bleu - very yummy!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Homemade lasagna is always good!. you could also try to make homemade chicken pot pie!. Not too many people make the effort to make their OWN chicken pot pie!. I'm sure they would be impressed!Www@FoodAQ@Com
How about go original and have a ham!? Or a chicken!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
you can never go wrong with spaghetti and meat sauce with a home made cheesy bread Www@FoodAQ@Com
make something yummy and simple, and make it look good even if it isntWww@FoodAQ@Com
I recently had a party with a pasta bar!. I cooked sausage and beef, sauteed veggies (bell pepper, onion and mushrooms in separate bowls) and sauce plus two types of cheese (grated) along with spaghetti (or you can use fun shapes of pasta) Everyone was able to make their own combinations and it was a big hit!.
You can also cook a chuck roast with onions and carrots (use a roasting bag for more tenderness) and have a potato bar: either have baked potatoes and toppings or a choice between smashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes!. Add a salad and rolls, and you have a great meal!.
If you love chicken, you can always try out Rock Cornish Game Hens!. They are roughly 1 pound each - some people eat a whole hen, but most eat half!. Serve it with stuffing (you can cook it separately) that has onions, sage, and Craisins (dried cranberries) in it!. Add a salad, a veggie - like squash or zucchini - and you have a meal!.
One of my most popular recipes is for Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin!. Serve it with brown rice, salad, and a veggie or two!.
SWEET AND SOUR PORK TENDERLOIN
3!.5 pounds pork tenderloin
1 Tablespoon garlic, diced or minced
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
2/3 C soy sauce
2 onions, diced
1/2 C brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon
Combine all ingredients!. Pour over the meat and marinate overnight in Ziploc bag, turning every few hours!.
Preheat oven to 350!.
Put meat into a roasting bag, then add 1/8 C white flour with the marinade that is still in the Ziploc bag!. Mix well, and pour over pork tenderloin!.
Bake in the bag at 350°F for 1!.5 - 2 hours, or until an instant read thermometer registers 160 degrees!. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing!.
Recipe may be doubled!.
Don't forget dessert!!Www@FoodAQ@Com
You can also cook a chuck roast with onions and carrots (use a roasting bag for more tenderness) and have a potato bar: either have baked potatoes and toppings or a choice between smashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes!. Add a salad and rolls, and you have a great meal!.
If you love chicken, you can always try out Rock Cornish Game Hens!. They are roughly 1 pound each - some people eat a whole hen, but most eat half!. Serve it with stuffing (you can cook it separately) that has onions, sage, and Craisins (dried cranberries) in it!. Add a salad, a veggie - like squash or zucchini - and you have a meal!.
One of my most popular recipes is for Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin!. Serve it with brown rice, salad, and a veggie or two!.
SWEET AND SOUR PORK TENDERLOIN
3!.5 pounds pork tenderloin
1 Tablespoon garlic, diced or minced
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
2/3 C soy sauce
2 onions, diced
1/2 C brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon
Combine all ingredients!. Pour over the meat and marinate overnight in Ziploc bag, turning every few hours!.
Preheat oven to 350!.
Put meat into a roasting bag, then add 1/8 C white flour with the marinade that is still in the Ziploc bag!. Mix well, and pour over pork tenderloin!.
Bake in the bag at 350°F for 1!.5 - 2 hours, or until an instant read thermometer registers 160 degrees!. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing!.
Recipe may be doubled!.
Don't forget dessert!!Www@FoodAQ@Com
this would look a little more impressive than chicken parm, but still be easy and keep with the pasta idea!.
stuffed shells, served with a simple but impressive green salad and cheesy garlic bread
Three Cheese Green Salad
INGREDIENTS:
1 large head leaf lettuce -
rinsed, dried and torn into bite-
size pieces
1 cup cubed Swiss cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan
cheese 1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon freshly ground
black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Combine lettuce, Swiss cheese, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese and pecans in a large bowl!. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, and pepper!. Add dressing to salad and toss well
Creamy Stuffed Shells
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 ounce) package jumbo
pasta shells
3 pounds ground beef
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons garlic salt 2 teaspoons parsley
1 (8 ounce) package cream
cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 (14 ounce) jars pasta
sauce
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano
cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil!. Place shell pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain!.
2!. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)!. Lightly grease a medium baking dish!.
3!. Place the beef in a skillet over medium heat, and mix in eggs, oil, garlic, garlic salt, and parsley!. Cook until beef is evenly brown!. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix with cream cheese and 1 cup pasta sauce!.
4!. Stuff the cooked pasta shells with the beef mixture, and arrange in the prepared baking dish!. Cover evenly with the remaining sauce!.
5!. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly!. Sprinkle with Romano cheese just before serving!.
Toasted Garlic Bread
INGREDIENTS:
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
5 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive
oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Preheat the broiler!.
2!. Cut the bread into slices 1 to 2 inches thick!.
3!. In a small bowl, mix butter, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper!. Spread the mixture evenly on the bread slices!.
4!. On a medium baking sheet, arrange the slices evenly and broil 5 minutes, or until slightly brown!. Check frequently so they do not burn!.
5!. Remove from broiler!. Top with cheese and return to broiler 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is slightly brown and melted!. Serve at once
Www@FoodAQ@Com
stuffed shells, served with a simple but impressive green salad and cheesy garlic bread
Three Cheese Green Salad
INGREDIENTS:
1 large head leaf lettuce -
rinsed, dried and torn into bite-
size pieces
1 cup cubed Swiss cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan
cheese 1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon freshly ground
black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Combine lettuce, Swiss cheese, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese and pecans in a large bowl!. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, and pepper!. Add dressing to salad and toss well
Creamy Stuffed Shells
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 ounce) package jumbo
pasta shells
3 pounds ground beef
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons garlic salt 2 teaspoons parsley
1 (8 ounce) package cream
cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 (14 ounce) jars pasta
sauce
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano
cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil!. Place shell pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain!.
2!. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)!. Lightly grease a medium baking dish!.
3!. Place the beef in a skillet over medium heat, and mix in eggs, oil, garlic, garlic salt, and parsley!. Cook until beef is evenly brown!. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix with cream cheese and 1 cup pasta sauce!.
4!. Stuff the cooked pasta shells with the beef mixture, and arrange in the prepared baking dish!. Cover evenly with the remaining sauce!.
5!. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly!. Sprinkle with Romano cheese just before serving!.
Toasted Garlic Bread
INGREDIENTS:
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
5 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive
oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!. Preheat the broiler!.
2!. Cut the bread into slices 1 to 2 inches thick!.
3!. In a small bowl, mix butter, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper!. Spread the mixture evenly on the bread slices!.
4!. On a medium baking sheet, arrange the slices evenly and broil 5 minutes, or until slightly brown!. Check frequently so they do not burn!.
5!. Remove from broiler!. Top with cheese and return to broiler 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is slightly brown and melted!. Serve at once
Www@FoodAQ@Com