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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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Want to plan vicariously through me? French dinner
I am planning an aniversary dinner for my bff. It will be for 20 people. No dietary restrictions. I would like to serve an appetizer(s), a main course with sides and dessert (which I'm hoping to get the person who made the cake for her wedding make a mini cake for this dinner). I am really trying to make this MM as I am putting up the couple's family, paying for a gift, three meals and decorations. Also, I will be entertaining the day that I will be hosting the meal, so make ahead or very simple suggestions will score more points. ???'s - just as and I will clarify. TIA!
Re: Want to plan vicariously through me? French dinner
Ok, just to clarify because I haven't had my coffee yet. You want a French appetizer, entree, sides and possibly dessert on a budget or that can somewhat be made ahead of time, but that are still impressive?
If that's the case, here are some thoughts.
Chicken Crepes with Asparagus and Mushrooms (filling and crepes can be made 2 days in advance. Assemble and bake about half an hour away from service.)
Ratatouille (can be either entree or side)
Salmon with Lentils and Mustard-Herb Butter (lentils and herb-butter can be made 1 day in advance and the salmon won't take long to cook)
If your dessert falls through, all of these are great and can be done in advance.
Pistachio Raspberry Dacquoise
Peches Melba
Chocolate Mousse
Exactly. I'm slightly overwhelmed with the planning of this for several reasons. Typically, I'm not into themes, but it fits really well with this occasion .... so I'm up for the challenge. Thank you for your suggestions! They look very yummy. My stess level does much better when I try them before hand, so I'll give them a shot. If you come across any other ideas you think would be easy, please do keep me in mind!
If you want to keep it simple but still French.... Here are some options I would go with (my husband and I lived in France for a few years and these are recipes/ideas that I picked up from the French women who had us over for dinner parties)
appetizer: simple bread and French cheeses, endive leaves with a dip (typically these are mayo or cheese based; you can look online for dip ideas; my particular favorite is an aioli dip), prune wrapped in bacon (sounds weird, but it's very common in France and pretty dang good)
entree: (This is one that even my husband learned to make and is pretty good.) It's a simple pasta dish that is made with a sauce of creme fraiche (heavy whipping cream), garlic, onions and mushrooms (sauteed), and fresh diced tomatoes (uncooked and tossed on at the end with fresh parsley). For the meat portion of it you can use diced chicken or lardons (basically cubes of bacon).
sides: asparagus just roasted or grilled in a little olive oil, salt and pepper is pretty easy
desserts: You can do an apple tart or a fig tart with simple vanilla ice cream
Those are my suggestions for keeping it simple and inexpensive. If you'd like more elaborate ideas though let me know and I can give you some suggestions.
I hosted a Fantastique French Cocktail Hour! last summer, which may provide some ideas.
Here are some French & French inspired recipes featured in my blog too, in which some were served at the party...