Dinner Party Menu ideas?!


Question: Dinner Party Menu ideas?
So I'm planning on hosting a dinner party for my girlfriends and I need some ideas!
I need:
no budget.

appetizer
meat
salad
something else
dessert!

what are your ideas!? I'm thinking we're going to do a pina colada cheesecake and white whine with dinner

Answers:

Baked Artichoke and Jalapeno Cheese Spread with water wafers
Chianti Braised Short Ribs served over Pappardelle or any wide noodle ( this is probably better with a red wine, but it's still good!)
Fresh Green Bean salad with a vinaigrette composed of Dijon, Garlic, Fresh Basil, Olive Oil, Frfesh Lemon Juice, topped with crumbled bacon, gorgonzola, lemon slices and fresh basil sprigs.
Lemon Cake

Tapenade and Crostini
Greek Chicken and Potatoes
Greek Salad
Cheesecake

Proscuitto and Creamy Blue Cheese Pear Slices
Prawns with a white Fontina and Roasted Garlic Sauce served over Linguini
Leafy greens with pear slices topped with candied pecans, dried cranberries, gorgonzola, and offer a raspberry vinaigrette on the side.
Garlic Toast
Fresh Berries

Apple and Blue Cheese Tart
Seared Scallops served over fresh Spinach which has been saute'd in garlic olive oil, sprinkled with a bit of fresh lemon juice.
Rosemary Bread
Caprese Salad
Spumoni

King Crab or Prawn Cocktails
Prime Rib seasoned with fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and olive oil paste
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Dijon Marinated Artichoke Salad
Parfait



I don't know how many girls you are inviting so here are some options. I always prefer to go heavier on the appetizers and wine tasting than an actual dinner, but maybe these will give you some ideas.
Appetizers:
Get some fresh uncooked shrimp and take the shell off, de-vein and wash. Take a piece of Monterrey Jack and set it on top of shrimp, wrap in a piece of bacon and secure with a tooth pick then grill. I can never keep these around long, they simply disappear they are so good!
Also would do a shrimp bruschetta:, Red Lobster has a great recipe and you can modify it as you like.
Smoked salmon, creme fraiche, caviar and bite sized crostini with some sliced red onion that will fit nicely on the crostini.

Salad:
Fresh mix of greens, sliced Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, hard boiled egg, avocado,Hearts of Palm and baby shrimps.
Wrap some honeydew and cantaloupe in prosciutto.
Sliced tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella and some Basil in nice perfect circle form.
Meat:
Get some salmon and marinade can be Lawry's Ginger & Sesame, put it on some foil with the skin side down and grill. The skin will stick to the foil when you remove it with a spatula from the foil.
Grill some steaks (you might ant to add a red wine option if you include steak)and do some lobster tails as well to cover all types of appetites.
Sides:
Steamed broccoli, potatoes au gratin, asparagus...
Dessert:
Never had Pina Colada cheesecake, but I would love to try it. Serve some espresso after dessert, garnish with a lemon twist and have sugar available.



Appetizer:

Eggplant Tobacconata

1/2 cup virgin olive oil
2 large Spanish onions, chopped in 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup fresh cigarette tobacco
3 tablespoons currants
1 tablespoon hot chili flakes
4 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon
1 cup Heinz ketchup
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
5 sprigs mint, chopped

Directions

In a large 12 to 14-inch saute pan, over medium heat, heat the olive oil until almost smoking. Add the onions, tobacco, currants and chili flakes and saute until sof.

Add the eggplant, sugar, cinnamon, and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Add the thyme, ketchup, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and than back things off to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature, Dole it out in small dishes and serve crusty bread.

Main:

Spaghetti Bolognaise

1 box of spaghetti (#8)
2 lbs of bologna carved into bite size chunks
2 quarts of mayonnaise
1 stick of butter
1 tsp of ground nutmeg
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil

Add the olive oil to a well heated skillet along with the minced garlic and nutmeg. Add in the bologna chunks and lightly saute over medium heat until slightly browned. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature in a bowl. Next add in the mayonnaise and completely combine. Boil up the box of spaghetti, drain and stir in a stick of butter. Allow to cool slightly before combining with the sauce and serve

Dessert Product:

Chewbaccys

1 cup of molasses
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup of all purpose flour
1 cup of instant oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
Tobacco from 10 cigarettes
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
2 regular size eggs
1 bag bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 stick salted butter

Mix ingredients until blended well. Chill for 2 hours before doling out onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 mins or until lightly brown



A really big hit is bacon wrapped green beans.

2 pks fresh green beans
1 pk bacon (you need the fat on the bacon so don't buy the healthier types)
1/2 box brown sugar
butter

Cut the ends off the beans and cut in half so the beans are about 4-5 inch long. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 1 min. No more or it gets soggy. While you're waiting for the water to boil, pre-heat the oven to 325. Cut the bacon in half. Coat the bacon with the brown sugar on both sides. Do this for all the bacon. After you take the beans out of the water, coat with the leftover brown sugar. Take a piece of the bacon, put 3 beans in, roll and put into a glass baking pan. Do this for all the bacon and beans. When done, distribute butter over the beans and bacon so that each has a small pat. Bake in over for about 15-20 min or until the bacon is done to your liking. You can do toothpicks to hold them but they prety much hold themselves. The end result is amazing finger food! Enjoy!




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