Dinner recipes for guests?

[tigian]

What is your no-fail, always delicious meal that you cook when you have guests over?
I''m drawing a big fat blank and need some ideas. Thanks!

 

[Upgradable]

I like to do a super easy pot roast. Chuck roast sprinkled with Liptons dry onion soup. cover and cook (350 degree oven) at least 2 hours (add small amounts of water as necessary. Then I peel and quarter potatoes, onions, and carrots and put into the covered pot. I baste with the juice as necessary. It then falls off the bone and is delicious without lots of intensive kitchen time on my part.

 

[luvmyhalo]

Here''s my new favorite recipe that got rave reviews...

Sausage & Roasted Vegetable Penne

Ingredients
1 sweet onion, cut into wedges
1 medium zucchini, sliced in 1/2 lengthwise
1 red bell pepper, cheeks removed
1/2 pound button mushrooms, stemmed
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, washed and dried
5 sweet or hot Italian sausages, thinly sliced or casings removed
1/4 cup white wine
12 ounces whole-grain penne, cooked according to package instructions, 1/2 cup pasta water reserved
Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a bowl, toss all the vegetables, except the tomatoes, with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast, until caramelized, about 30 minutes, turning vegetables halfway through the cooking time. In a small bowl, add the tomatoes and the remaining olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add to the baking sheet, at the halfway point of cooking, to caramelize.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the sausage and saute until cooked through. Turn up the heat and deglaze with white wine. Once the vegetables are cooked, cool slightly, then coarsely chop. Add the vegetables and any pan juices to the sausage in the skillet. Toss in the cooked penne, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to moisten. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve in bowls topped with Parmesan.

 

[tigian]

Both sound yummy!

 

[April20]

We do a london broil on the grill, thinly sliced when done; baked potatos or hashbrown casserole; salad.

Or if it''s casual, we''ll do a big pot of chili with cornbread.

 

[princesss]

Paella!

Granted, it''s not a true paella, but it''s my host mom''s recipe from when I was living in Spain, and it''s delicious and super easy!

Also, my mom gave me a great recipe for red pepper risotto that''s pretty fantastic with grilled chicken.

 

[FrekeChild]

Depends on the guest. For my husband''s advisor who cannot eat dairy or eggs I have made grilled salmon and asparagus with lemon, and shrimp or chicken puttanesca linguine.

For everyone else, depends on their tastes, but chicken cordon bleu is popular, along with home made baked chicken strips, various protein (chicken, fish, shrimp, beef, pork, sausage) pasta with whatever veggies are floating around.

My favorite knock them dead plate is something that if I had developed more would have be a competition worthy dish, and that''s roasted ground mustard and pepper rubbed pork tenderloin, stuffed with apples. I usually make it with sweet potatoes or butter nut squash. It''s my favorite favorite recipe for fall/winter.

My favorite meal for the spring/summer would be grilled spiced chicken with grilled zucchini and mashed potatoes.

HTH!

 

[Callisto]

Date: 2/24/2010 7:44:21 PM
Author: Upgradable
I like to do a super easy pot roast. Chuck roast sprinkled with Liptons dry onion soup. cover and cook (350 degree oven) at least 2 hours (add small amounts of water as necessary. Then I peel and quarter potatoes, onions, and carrots and put into the covered pot. I baste with the juice as necessary. It then falls off the bone and is delicious without lots of intensive kitchen time on my part.

Me too!! I was going to post almost the exact same thing- liptons onion soup and all... Except you should try adding a can of Cambells Golden Mushroom Soup (and a can of water to dilute it).... MMMMMMMM I actually just made it tonight haha. And it''s definitely my go to recipe, one of my favorites.

 

[panda08]

I like to use rubs for proteins for quick, tasty and guest-worthy dinners.

This is a good version of tandoori chicken: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tandoori_chicken_with_tomato_cucumber_raita.html Serve with some pita or rice.

I like this one for pork chops: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1185407 It's great with a side of cole slaw. I've made it many times before, and did so on Monday night. It was so good, DH gnawed on the bone!

For an appetizer, check out this recipe: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/mushroom-tart It's super tasty and looks like you slaved away in the kitchen. I'm making several of these for a potluck this Sat.

 

[wyndham]

Lasagna is always a crowd pleaser, in my experience (unless you have a guest who doesn't eat red meat!). It has the added benefit of you being able to prepare it before people arrive...definitely convenient!

 

[luvmyhalo]

Oh and for either appetizers or desserts, anything in mini phyllo cups are delish and the presentation is beautiful! Here''s a super easy dessert one...

Buy some ready made cheesecake filling
Pistachios
Honey
Cinnamon

Chop pistachios and mix with honey and cinnamon
pipe cheesecake filling into thawed out phyllo cups, top with pistachio & honey mixture. Done!

 

[Haven]

It depends on the company.

I love to make baked ziti, it''s delicious and so easy. I make my own sauce, of course, none of that out-of-a-jar mess. That''s definitely a causal meal, though.

 

[somethingshiny]

Depends on the guests....

In the Healthy Recipes thread Panda has a pork chop recipe that is great! I don''t use the sauce, just the rub and I switch up the sides depending on what''s in season. I think it''s in the last couple pages of the thread.

Another go-to is lasagna with garlic bread and caesar salad.

The last one that I do regularly is chili especially in the winter.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Lasagne
Risotto
Roast chicken
Pot roast
Chili

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/24/2010 9:07:48 PM
Author: Callisto

Date: 2/24/2010 7:44:21 PM

Author: Upgradable

I like to do a super easy pot roast. Chuck roast sprinkled with Liptons dry onion soup. cover and cook (350 degree oven) at least 2 hours (add small amounts of water as necessary. Then I peel and quarter potatoes, onions, and carrots and put into the covered pot. I baste with the juice as necessary. It then falls off the bone and is delicious without lots of intensive kitchen time on my part.

Me too!! I was going to post almost the exact same thing- liptons onion soup and all... Except you should try adding a can of Cambells Golden Mushroom Soup (and a can of water to dilute it).... MMMMMMMM I actually just made it tonight haha. And it''s definitely my go to recipe, one of my favorites.

I do the onion soup with a tomato paste and red wine!

 

[stepcutgirl]

Goat cheese chicken spaghetti. If you are interested I''ll give you the recipe. I have never served it and not had people practically licking the plate clean.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/24/2010 10:27:04 PM
Author: stepcutgirl
Goat cheese chicken spaghetti. If you are interested I''ll give you the recipe. I have never served it and not had people practically licking the plate clean.

nom nom nom yes please!

 

[TravelingGal]

The absolute no fail meal for us (and one that allows us to relax and socialize more) is a good ribeye simply seasoned with montreal steak seasoning on our already seasoned grill. Baked potatoes go in the oven quite a bit before for one hour and change. Just wash, poke with fork, coat with veggie oil and sprinkle with salt. Right on the rack in a 350 degree oven. Dinner rolls and side salad make an easy meal.

Two others that I use, but only because I''ve practiced them and are comfortable with making them is boeuf bourguignon, crusty bread loaf and garlic mashed potatoes. I make the bourguignon the night before as it tastes better the next day. So the night of the dinner, I just make easy mashed potatoes and put the bread in the oven.

The other is Seared Ahi Tuna with spicy ginger lime sauce topped with avocado. A superfast, easy, meal. I do brocollini with lemon butter for a side.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/24/2010 10:32:34 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk

Date: 2/24/2010 10:27:04 PM
Author: stepcutgirl
Goat cheese chicken spaghetti. If you are interested I''ll give you the recipe. I have never served it and not had people practically licking the plate clean.

nom nom nom yes please!

Yes please!!! Sounds delish!!!

 

[stepcutgirl]

Date: 2/24/2010 10:32:34 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk

Date: 2/24/2010 10:27:04 PM

Author: stepcutgirl

Goat cheese chicken spaghetti. If you are interested I'll give you the recipe. I have never served it and not had people practically licking the plate clean.

nom nom nom yes please!

Ok, I use the amount of chicken breasts as I have guests, lightly coat them in olive oil, salt and pepper and put on a cookie sheet lined with foil.

Then I slice goat cheese into half inch thick pieces and cover the chicken breasts with them. I use Ile De France Petite Buche brand with fine herbs in it. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes.

Then I prepare my pasta sauce, I prefer Ragu Tomato, garlic and onion and once it is hot enough I melt in another 4oz (usually use 1-2 4 oz packages on the chicken) goat cheese, same brand with herbs to the sauce and cook the spaghetti as normal.

Then when I remember I julienne a few sun dried tomatoes and sprinkle on top. It's the only thing I make that I can actually say deserves rave reviews.

ETA-To serve I plate the spaghetti, then sauce then chicken over spaghetti and sauce with a drizzle more of sauce.

 

[panda08]

Date: 2/24/2010 9:56:52 PM
Author: somethingshiny
Depends on the guests....


In the Healthy Recipes thread Panda has a pork chop recipe that is great! I don''t use the sauce, just the rub and I switch up the sides depending on what''s in season. I think it''s in the last couple pages of the thread.


Another go-to is lasagna with garlic bread and caesar salad.


The last one that I do regularly is chili especially in the winter.

Thanks, SS, I reproduced that recipe from the link I posted above. I''m glad you enjoy that one too!

 

[JSM]

Our standby is a roasted or grilled whole bird - turkey or chicken, depending on the number of guests. Sides are cut fresh fruit (depending on what is in season), baked potatoes, and grilled veggies (we love lightly seasoned asparagus). Simple, but everyone can usually enjoy something on the menu!

But if we really get caught unexpected (very rare now that we moved hundreds of miles from anyone we know...), it was burgers on the grill (we had veggie burgers for the vegetarians in the freezer).

 

[Kaleigh]

Grilled butterfly leg of lamb, well seasoned, garlic mashed potatos and Zuchini sauteed with fresh tomatos in EVOO, then once they get nice and gooey, I sprinkle freshly grated parmesian cheese on top. It''s colorful and ooohhh sooo yummy.

 

[tigian]

Date: 2/24/2010 9:04:02 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Depends on the guest. For my husband''s advisor who cannot eat dairy or eggs I have made grilled salmon and asparagus with lemon, and shrimp or chicken puttanesca linguine.


For everyone else, depends on their tastes, but chicken cordon bleu is popular, along with home made baked chicken strips, various protein (chicken, fish, shrimp, beef, pork, sausage) pasta with whatever veggies are floating around.


My favorite knock them dead plate is something that if I had developed more would have be a competition worthy dish, and that''s roasted ground mustard and pepper rubbed pork tenderloin, stuffed with apples. I usually make it with sweet potatoes or butter nut squash. It''s my favorite favorite recipe for fall/winter.


My favorite meal for the spring/summer would be grilled spiced chicken with grilled zucchini and mashed potatoes.


HTH!

ooohhhh...Freke, can you give us the stuffed pork recipe? It sounds delish!

 

[tigian]

All these ideas are great! I knew PSers would help.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

If it''s a special occasion, I make my Dad''s roast beef. It''s very simple, if a little extravagant. My Dad makes it better than I do, but mine is still good!

Whole fillet of beef, seared for a few minutes in a very hot skillet, then rubbed with pesto and crushed black peppercorns, wrapped in parma ham and roasted in a hot oven (as hot as it will go - you might need to drape a loose layer of foil over the top of the steak to stop the ham burning, but don''t wrap it in foil, you want any steam to escape and leave the parma ham crisp).

One of the nice things about this for a crowd is that the end of the fillet is thinner, so cooks faster than the middle - that way, you have rare, medium and well done all in the one piece, so people can choose what they prefer. To tell how ''done'' it is, push the thickest part with your finger - the more springy it is, the rarer it will be.

I serve it whole and slice it really thin at the table, with a rocket salad and a dish of dauphinoise potatoes. A tomato and red wine sauce is nice with it, handed round in a gravy boat at the table. If you don''t have time for the sauce, horseraddish or french mustard are fine.

To make the sauce, saute a couple of sliced shallots or a small onion in a tablespoon of butter. When they''re soft, add a heaped teaspoon of all purpose flour and stir. Cook it gently for about 10 minutes then add two glasses of robust red wine. Stir, then reduce by simmering gently for about 10 minutes. Add a can of chopped tomatoes and any juices from the roasting pan, then cook for about half an hour. Season to taste, then pass through a sieve before serving.

It''s a serious crowd pleaser, very savoury and delicious. I would imagine that the leftovers would be yummy, but I''ve never had the chance to find out.

 

[megumic]

Lasagne or my homemade chunky tomato vodka sauce! I also make a killer cilantro onion turkey burger, but those are more summer fare.

 

[Ninna]

Lasagne in colder months
Grilled steaks/veggies
+1 Paella

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Tigian, I always get inspiration from www.tastespotting.com and www.foodgawker.com . . . check those out and see if anything appeals to you!

I almost always have pretty casual get togethers at my house, and we find ourselves making pizza from scratch. My husband makes to die for dough, and we always come up with some crazy combinations when we all get together. Most recent fave is a pear and gorgonzola pizza with caramelized onions topped with a salad of spring greens with a gorgonzola dressing. I never have to see the inside of another CPK again!

But, my repertoire for dinner/brunch parties includes;
Cassoulet - gotta have the duck. I've tried it with just sausage and other meats and it's not the same.
Risotto Tortes (brocolli, spinach, mushroom, sausage, pancetta, etc.) for spring/summer brunch. Plus you then have leftover egg whites for Meringue cookies
Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Gorgonzola Butter served with Braised Leeks and Prosiutto - quick and super simple to make. During the winter, a Beef Stew that adds umami using anchovies, served over toasted tortellini.
Pastitisio
Lasagne
Date and Olive Braised Chicken Thighs
And a good old fashioned roast chicken.

 

[dragonfly411]

Tacos

Spaghetti (meatballs optional, made separate from sauce)

Rice with Sausage


Or I really like bowtie pasta with broccoli, and I mix half alfredo with half tomato sauce... guests LOVE this.


I also make this really good spicy cream cheese sausage dip for sports get togethers, and everyone LOVES that