Family dinner?!
Family dinner?
I want to make dinner for my family and boyfriend, does anyone have any ideas? My siblings are a bit younger and kinda picky.
Answers:
Most people like spaghetti, and it's easy to make. Some garlic bread and a salad along with it would be nice. If your younger siblings don't like pasta sauce just put aside some plain pasta and add a little butter to it.
Keep it simple.... it sounds like a great idea and fun, so don't burden yourself with something super elaborate.
American Italian cuisine like Lasagne, simple mixed greens salad, garlic bread and maybe a bakery purchased dessert is my first idea. Ease of preparation, low overall cost of ingredients and there should either be leftovers or enough for extra guests to have should they come over at the last minute.
Build your own Tacos if your younger siblings like Mexican food... also gets them active in preparing their own food and the activity will bring everyone into the kitchen.
Home made soup and grilled sandwiches could be another possibility, again i am suggesting simply from the point of ease of preparation, and something that appeals to a wide variety of tastes.
If you have time, a roast turkey BREAST (not the whole bird) with potatoes, stuffing (stove top if you like) and a few other simple side dishes can really liven up an evening by revisiting the Holidays. This might be better on a weekend, but breaks up the winter doldrums especially if its really cold where you are right now.
If everyone likes fish... and with younger siblings, this might be a stretch, you could try homemade fish and chips. (I have a great batter recipe, feel free to e-mail, or any other recipes).
Hope these suggestions help you figure out what to have :-) Have fun too!!
Just make Italian...forget the American Italian.....whatever the F@$k that is???? American Italian Lasagne...is that 2 inches bigger than normal Italian Lasagne ?? Sheesh. But yea Italian pasta dish, bread n salad sounds like an easy start if you arent to confident in the Kitchen.
I commend you for wanting to make a dinner for your boyfriend and family...including some picky eaters!
You didn't mention if you cook at all, or what the food preferences are for your folks and boyfriend, but there's usually nothing that can go wrong with a pasta dish. Here's one that I use that's quick, easy, and gets rave reviews. I make a vegetarian meal once a week for 10 people and this one works well when I run out of ideas:
Rotini pasta or penne
1 jar Newmans Sock a Rooni Sauce
1 jar Classico 4 cheese alfredo sauce
fresh ground pepper
1 pkg shredded Italian Cheese blend cheese
Boil pasta according to the directions on the box. When cooked, drain thoroughly. While draining, pour your sauces into the sauce pan and heat. Add pasta and toss to coat. Add pepper.
Spread in baking dish and top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is bubbling. Serve with garlic bread and a nice green salad.
P. S. If the younger folks get cranky, let them make peanut butter sandwiches!
Hi,
let's try in Mexican Cuisine:
Dinner - Mexican Soup
Fusion Chili.
"A true fusion of 'Tex' and 'Mex' style chili. I've made this recipe dozens of times, and it is great. Each bite slowly delivers a sweet flavor followed by dry heat afterwards. It takes a while to prepare, but well worth it. You can use any type of beans you like, and try different dried chile varieties."
12 servings
Prep Time 1 Hr
Cook time 3 Hrs 30 Min
Ready in 4 Hrs 30 Min
INGREDIENTS
10 dried ancho chiles - chopped, stemmed and seeded
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
3 pounds hot Italian sausage, casings removed
3 pounds ground beef
1 white onion, diced
1 red onion, diced
1 sweet onion, diced
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
10 cloves garlic, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
4 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup honey
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, soak chiles in water and vinegar for 30 minutes. After soaking, puree in a blender or food processor until very smooth, about 5 minutes; set aside.
Place sausage and ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove meat from pan, and set aside. In a large pot, Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of the meat drippings over medium heat. Saute white onion, red onion, sweet onion, celery, carrots and garlic until onions are soft and translucent. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in tomato paste, and allow to caramelize. Pour in wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.
Stir in cooked meat, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce. Season with chili powder, cumin and parsley. Bring to a boil, then stir in blended chile mixture and honey. Carefully mix in kidney beans pinto beans without breaking them. Cover, and simmer for 3 hours. Stir and scrape the bottom every hour or so.
(or)
Soup:
"Easy chili with beans can be made as mild or spicy as desired. Its even better the next day."
8 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
DIRECTIONS
In a large stock pot lightly brown ground beef, and drain if needed.
Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent.
Add tomatoes, diced tomatoes with chili peppers, tomato sauce, water, kidney beans, pinto beans, chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes and then serve.
Dinner - White Chicken Chili < Main Dish>
"Delicious white bean chili. 'It's kinda spicy, so watch out!' Substitute mild green chiles for the jalapenos if you're scared! Use more chicken and cheese as desired."
4 servings
Prep time 10 Min
Cook time 20 Min
Ready in 30 Min
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
3 (15 ounce) cans white beans
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the onion until tender. Mix in the garlic, jalapeno, green chile peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and white beans. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the mixture from heat. Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. Serve warm.
Side Dish: Garnish bowls of chili with slices of avocado.
corn chips, salsa.
(or)
Gonzo Garbanzos: "Hot, spicy and tangy chickpea side dish. This dish is quite tangy and spicy, reduce lemon and seasonings to fit your taste. Enjoy!"
2 servings
Prep time 5 Min
Cook time 5 Min
Ready in 10 Min
INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans
1 lemon, juiced
1 whole dried red chile peppers
1 clove garlic, quartered
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 tablespoon picante sauce
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon sazon seasoning
1/4 teaspoon paprika
DIRECTIONS
Drain off about half of the juice from the beans and put them into a saucepan. Mix in the lemon juice, chilies, garlic, onion, picante sauce, pepper, Cajun seasoning, sazon seasoning and paprika. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook for about 7 minutes. Remove the chilies and garlic before serving.
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Autumn Mexican Dinner:
Main Dishes: Pumpkin Chili Mexicana.
"Your family will enjoy this tasty soup that's quick to make. Serve a tossed salad and tortilla chips to complete the meal."
4 servings
Prep time 15 Min
Cook time 40 Min
Ready in 55 Min
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
1 clove garlic
1 pound ground turkey
2 (14.5 ounce) cans canned peeled and diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY'S? 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 (15 ounce) can canned tomato sauce
1 (15.25 ounce) can canned kidney beans, drained
1 (4 ounce) can ORTEGA? Diced Green Chiles
1/2 cup whole kernel corn
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
HEAT vegetable oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Add turkey; cook until browned. Drain.
ADD tomatoes with juice, pumpkin, tomato sauce, beans, chiles, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Side Dish: Carrots in Dill Butter.
6 servings
Prep time 10 Min
Cook time 30 Min
Ready 40 Min
INGREDIENTS
8 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill seed
DIRECTIONS
In a medium-sized heavy saucepan, combine carrots, water, butter, sugar, salt and dill seed. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, or until carrots are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Tips: Try throwing in a tiny bit of cilantro for a fresh taste.
Beverages: Avocado Blast.
The thickest, creamiest shake you will ever taste. If the thought of drinking avocado scares you, then you don't know what life is all about. Try it and you will see what I mean."
4 servings
Prep time 10 Min
Ready in 10 Min
INGREDIENTS
5 avocados, peeled and pitted
4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon dry milk powder
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 cup ice
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, combine avocado, sweetened condensed milk, powdered milk, sugar and ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Tips: For a healthier shake, use frozen yogurt, skim milk, honey and avocado.
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I hope your boyfriend and yourself will enjoy this meal.
Cheers!
steak salad potatoe bread cake pie tea
Try chicken pot pie. It is my favorite meal. I love it!0
If you don't know what it is, type it in Google
What about Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a salad and maybe a vegetable.
try tasteofhome.com. they have really good ideas
how about pasta with sauce, a nice salad, and some Italian bread. it's not difficult to make either.
Macaroni and cheese is beloved by diners of all ages -- and I have an "upscale" 4 cheese recipe that I love. Your family won't think you cooked 'em something cheap -- and yet it's so tasty, the younger ones will like it!
http://digg.com/general_sciences/how_to_...
Everyone loves this dish!!!
Take chicken breasts, and wrap them in strips of bacon. Bake them in a 375 oven, covered until the chicken is cooked through, and then remove the foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes, until the bacon is cripsy. Serve it with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes and some veggies. Everyone will love it, no matter how picky they are! :)