Entertaining Ideas
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Dinner Party
In 2 weeks we're having a dinner party with some colleagues (actually... our bosses and our bosses-bosses)... The pressure is on. There will be 12-15 people.
I have some appetizer and dessert ideas but I just can't find the perfect main course. My pour hubbie has been my guinea pig these last couple weekends and so far not so good:(
Does anyone have any suggestions on a main course... maybe chicken/turkey or ribs?? Does anyone have a tried and true recipe? Thanks so much... I'd appreciate any help.
... I love to cook but feeling pretty stressed out being a new wifie and cooking for our superiors. Thanks in advance:)
Re: Dinner Party
Assuming that everyone in your group eats pork, this is super easy and tastes wonderful. Plus, the way that it presents is impressive, which is an added bonus when you're hosting the boss. If you've got 12-15 coming, I would recommend making 2 or 3 of these.
Proscuitto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Rosemary, Thyme and Panko Stuffing
ETA: If there are some who don't eat pork in your group, I would do a roasted chicken over a beef tenderloin, since there are plenty of people who don't eat red meat, either. You might need more than one for that size of a crowd.
Another option is to do one meat option and another vegetarian option so that you have your bases covered. You know your guests better than any of us do, though, so it might not be necessary.
I don't eat pork, so I assume there are many others who don't either.
I like beef tenderloin. I think it's easy, delicious, and serves nicely.
74 books read in 2011
I would second a pork tenderloin if it fits everyone's diet. It's easy, makes a good presentation and is delicious. We use a rub make with cumin, chipotle powder and other spices and serve it with pico de gallo.
I always turn to Barefoot Contessa recipes when I want something classic and delicious. Her chicken piccata and shrimp scampi are always a crowd pleasers.
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A couple of thoughts- unless you can carve a chicken or turkey easily skip it. Pork and seafood can be iffy. Beef, pasta, or chicken are pretty universally accepted.
What about a stuffed chicken breast with roast potatoes a couple of vegetables, tossed salad (or marinated asparagus), and rolls?
Oh, and don't forget the apron to keep your clothes nice.
I can share with you my Christmas dinner menu which I make for about 12-15 people.
Apps:
Cheese and crackers
Shrimp cocktail
Entree:
Baked stuffed chicken
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Steamed carrots drizzled with honey
Green bean casserole
Homemade cranberry sauce
Cranberry orange bread
Dessert:
Chocolate mousse
Italian cookies
The trick to making this such an easy meal, is that most of this can be prepped ahead of time, so that when your guests come all you really need to do is throw things in the oven and do just a few minor things to finish the meal.
The day before I make the chocolate mousse, the cranberry sauce, and the bread. I also stop at a local bakery to pick up italian cookies.
It's also a good idea to set the table the night before.
The morning of, I pound the chicken and fill it with stuffing (I just use stovetop for the filling). I roll it, tie it or put skewers through it, put it in a baking pan, season it and then throw it in the fridge covered.
I then peel and cut the potatoes, put them in a pot, cover them and put them in the refrigerator too.
I prepare the green bean casserole, but that in the refrigerator, but hold off on putting the fried onions until they are ready to go in the oven.
I also prepare the stuffing and put that in the refrigerator too.
I then assemble the cheese and cracker plate and the shrimp cocktail plate.
Right before guests arrive I put out the appetizers on a table next to the wine, liquor and mixers. I put out small plates, napkins and glasses so everyone can help themselves.
I try to time dinner so that it's ready about 45 min after people arrive, so that it allows them some time to mingle and enjoy the apps and cocktails.
So when the guests show up, I have the oven heated and just throw everything in the oven. What's nice is that the chicken, green bean casserole and the stuffing are all cooked at the same temp.
I then boil the potatoes, steam the carrots in the microwave. I mash the potatoes, but roasted potatoes would be even easier for you, if you prefer to do that.
I also heat up gravy. I use the premade just because it's a lot easier.
When everything is done, I set it out buffet style and let everyone help themselves to the food.
I hope this helps.
Ham or pork tenderloin are great options for serving a crowd and relatively cheap. A ham's less than $2/lb and I think pork tenderloin is similar. Beef tenderloin is $6/lb...big difference. You'll need 1/4 to 1/3 lb pp.
For pork tenderloin, I always do the McCormick Bag and Season and get rave reviews. It's ridiculously easy and people always go crazy for it. For ham, there are any number of recipes on myrecipes.com - search for baked ham.
I've been on the nest a long time and I've noticed "I hate pork/I don't eat pork" comments often come from northern nesties. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just that food is regional, so I don't think you from TN necessarily need to rule out pork because of another region's food preferences. Midwestern girls on here have remarked that they don't consider ham "nice" meat. In my world, ham's the nicest meat there is - you want to impress, you serve a great ham. Anyways, food's regional and serve what you feel comfortable serving. Be sure to check if your guests are Jewish or Muslim, though there are only 19,000 Jews in TN and Muslims only live in 5 TN counties, so the chances of religious eaters ending up at your table are slim.
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You said exactly what I was thinking. I'm in and from the South, and pork tenderloin is always a viable option here unless told otherwise. I'd be more concerned with food allergies than I would with trying to cover your religious bases, unless you know otherwise.
It's funny, because I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm in the north, and I like pork, but not ham. A lot of my friends don't like pork, but it's just a personal preference, not a religious or dietary restriction.
It seems like pork and ham must be much more popular in the south than it is here.
In my group, chicken is just the safest option.
Anyway, interesting that we were all thinking the same thing.
You are all so helpful!! Thank you thank you thank you. You've given me some great ideas. I really appreciate your help and perspectives & hope that I can be as equally helpful to you:)
I'm happy to share what we end up with:) Hubbie is looking forward to more food testing I think... lucky guy.
Re: I did short ribs in the slow cooker a couple of weeks ago and they came out pretty good.
Do you have a recipe/guideline for the short ribs? Please let me know!
Thanks
W.
I was just at a dinner party last weekend where the host served this: http://www.mariobatali.com/recipes_shortribs.cfm
Ridiculously easy and so delicious. We also had roasted cauliflower with pearl onions and garlic & gnocchi with sage butter. A nice salad and some bread and the meal was great (and easy).
Good luck coming up with a menu!
Thanks everyone for your kind suggestions. I had planned to do a tenderloin then last minute I changed my mind and did
Stuffed mushrooms & appetizer dips with veggies
Various salads, bread, cheese
Stuffed chicken breast in crockpot
Beer Bratwurst on the grill
Mashed potato casserole
Bean salade & coleslaw
Apple crumble
Sounds like a mixup but I really was delicious and our guests raved for days.
L
PP - where do you get beef tenderloin for $6/lb?! I pay $15 and that's the cheapest I can find (other than a scary place like Moo and Oink).
Interesting observation about ham / pork. I am from the Midwest and can't stomach it. I also don't think it's nice or fancy, but never really thought about it. Just wanted to say that I think it's interesting and pretty true.
74 books read in 2011