Dinner Party?!
Answers: I want to have an informal dinner party for me and my guy to annouce our engagement to his family. Any ideas somebody(the best idea gets Best Answer)
I'll try my best; but I could use some more information... are you vegetarians? Roughly, how many people will be there? Is this a surprise party for the guests? How much time do you have before this dinner party? Do you like to cook?
Something I find very easy to make and is very stunning is "Beef Wellington." That is a 3 1/2 ternderloin of filet mignon that has pate and sauteed mushrooms and encased in puff pastry. It makes a beautiful presentation and people usually believe it was so hard to make and the taste is so rich! I have the link for it below, a recipe I have used many times.
Whether it (the dinner party) is for 6-12 that you can seat at the table, or for more where you might want to do a buffet, I find a successful menu is one:
1. where you can do much of it in advance - so you're not spending the entire party cooking
2. and/or there are many dishes that are very easy and "last minute" -- like steamed green beans that can be done in the microwave and then tossed with a little butter or lemon juice and sliced almonds -- looks beautiful, bright and is tasty!
3. plenty of options in case the the main dish (protein) does not appeal to everyone -- we have vegetarians in our family and so I always make sure to have several sides or just something more than a single veg and mashed potatoes so they can fill-up, too
4. Color! Close you eyes and think of how the food will look on the table or buffet... for instance, the Beef Welllington will be golden brown and when cut open with colors of pink (from the meat being rare to medium rare) and the green beans will be bright green with bits of gold from the almonds. Hmmm, maybe some carrots for a burst of orange? A pretty green salad (be easy on yourself... buy a kit or kits for as many you need to serve -- Caesar is popular for most people) and add cherry tomatoes for nice, vibrant color. And, mashed potatoes with a *hint* of stilton bleu or mild bleu cheese will and neutrality but the taste will be anything but.
5. Drinks. I'll usually have a couple of bottles to match the protein (red/meats, white/fowl) and then one of the opposite color because not everybody follows the same beat! So, for the Beef Wellington, I'd choose (we're lushes, so I always buy more wine than usual!) a few great reds (see link below) and then one or two nice whites for my oddball but totally lovable friends and family! Also, consider a dessert wine... a nice, sweet sipping wine makes a great alternative or addition to a simple, modest dessert --- taking the pressure off to create something stunning and oh-so-time-consuming!
I love to cook and my favorite entertaining is amazing food and drink but casual enough where my family and friends can relax and enjoy and be themselves. I've hosted formal dinners and (thank God!) they were successes; but the atmosphere was a bit more uptight than I would've liked... until everyone was plied (or plowed?:) ) with wine. I love seeing my family and friends laughing and smiling, and relaxed dinners seem to really bring that out.
I have also posted a recipe on this site for "Cauliflower Gratin with Leeks and Gruyere" and I bet if you search for it here, you'll find it. It's pretty and tasty - even for non-cauliflower eaters - and can be prepared ahead of time... just don't mix the cauliflower and the sauce, keep them separate until time to heat through (it'll make sense when you read it). Oh! The link is below.
And, here are some menu ideas that you might like:
(these are from my cookbooks, any recipes that may interest you, let me know)
Menu I
Sage & Stilton Flatbread, Roast Rib of Beef with Horseradish Yorkshire Puddings, Roast Potatoes and Parsnips, Carrot and Spinach Butter Mash, Dessert: Trifle Wines: Shiraz, Merlot, Cab Sav
Menu II
Phyllo Spinach and Ricotta Pastries, Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Daube of Beef (should be made in advance so flavors can marry), Fish and Spring Greens Pie, Cauliflower Gratin (see link), Dessert: Bread Pudding Wines: Merlot, Zinfandel or Gamay
Menu II
Green Salad, Stuffed Sweet Bell Peppers (Red, Yellow, Orange or combination), Roasted Chicken, Pasta Ribbons with Parsley, Dessert: Lemon Pound Cake Wines: Light Beer, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
make a nice dinner- whatever you want- then make a fancy cake for dessert. write on the cake "We're Engaged!!!" maybe put your ring in the center too. keep the cake hidden someplace- not in the fridge either in case someone goes in there. Bring it out after dinner has settled- have your fiance say "Hey everyone- look at the cake Angela made!" everyone will be so surprised!!
Wow! Cindi really wants to win this one! A very nice entry indeed! Here are some ideas, though for an informal, laid back dinner gathering with the family:
Appetizers: a couple of nice cheeses, nothing too exotic, perhaps a nice mangego, sonoma jack, and Irish Cheddar, some artisan crackers or baguettes.
Main Dishes: Pork Roast with roasted root veges, mashed potatos with sour cream, and fresh green beans; Meatloaf, mashed potatos, peas; Lasagne, green salad with raisins, candied walnuts, vinagrette, hot french bread; Spaghetti and Meatballs (homemade or not), chopped salad or caesar salad, french bread: Grilled ribeye steaks, twice baked potatos, Italian grilled zuchinii; Pot roast, roasted potatos and carrots, spinach salad with mandarin oranges and cashews; Roasted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatos, peas; Pork chops with saurkraut and chopped apples and brown sugar; mashed potatos, cole slaw; ETC.
Desserts: Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting; brownies ala mode; chocolate mousse; assorted homemade cookies and bars; lemon tarts; pecan pie tartlets.
To Drink: some chilled Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay; Merlot, Sangeovese; Sparkling Cider; Proseco or Champagne to toast.
Congratulations!
Wow, Cindy really goes all out...and she's got some great ideas, but I would take it in a completely different direction. One that allows me to entertain...has a great selection of food...allows for a good bar...and doesn't take 40 hours of prep/cooking/serving/clean-up time!
Depending on how many guests, I would set up a buffet type of dinner...even if you have to go out any buy everything vs. trying to cook for a whole bunch of people...remember, you said you wanted an informal dinner party. Order a ton of wings from your best local place...or fried chicken...buy a ton of ribs and/or BBQ and all the normal sides. Pickup some platters from your local grocery store. Take the work off your back so you can have a good time before, during and after your own party.
Make sure everything you use is throw-away...tablecloths, paper plates with plastic cups, good plastic silverware, etc. Believe me, your guests won't care in the first place, and once you make your announcment, they REALLY won't care!
And clean-up is so minor, you won't even have to worry about even doing one load of dishes!
Don't forget the bar if your group drinks. If you are going to make your announcement prior to the start of dinner...if you do that, it will turn into an all-out party vs. a dinner party. Then put more $$$ into the bar than in the food...depending on your budget. Go with mid-priced beer & booze, unless your crowd drinks top shelf.
Just some bar ideas:
Beer- Corona, Bud, Bud Lite, Coors, Hennie (in bottles only!)
Gin--Tanqueray
Vodka- Nothing below Smirnoff
Rum - Meyers Dark
Bourbon - Jack Daniels
Well, you get the idea...just nothing that you don't want left over!
Have some finger food, drinks, party glitter, music. Invite the friends that you want to invite to your wedding. Have a good time.Happy engagement to you and your future husband