Entertaining Ideas
TarHeels&Rebels
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Make-ahead dinner for company?
We have company coming this weekend (another couple) and they're pretty big cooks. The last meal I served them was, um, not my best (a 9-layer cake slid, layer by layer, off its pedestal and straight onto my sideboard lol), so I'd like to serve them something really tasty with good presentation.
I'm super busy all this week and they're visiting for a thing that'll keep us busy all day Saturday, so I need something that I can make this week and put in the fridge until they arrive.
I have a breakfast casserole recipe for Sunday morning, just need something for dinner Saturday. Thanks 
Re: Make-ahead dinner for company?
I don't have a slow-cooker (I've tried for ages to get into them, but I never seem to like the recipes, idk).
I'll probably do grilled sausage and cheddar cubes for an app (the husband's a real manly man and I know he'd love this), but I've done my reliable grilled chicken for them already and neither DH nor I are good at cooking red meat.
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Well... what I do when it is really important is buy beef tenderloin/filet mignon and have DH grill it whole. (I buy it on sale and freeze them).
Is fail proof. Very tender - just keep checking it. Grill on high heat- be sure not to overdo it - slice a piece off every once and a while and check. If your guests like their beef medium or rare leave it red/pink in the center. If someone likes it well done (yuck)- can slice off the "end" piece or grill a small piece really well done separately.
I usually marinade the tenderloin in balsamic salad dressing the night before and sprinkle with cracked black pepper and sea salt...
Serve with your delicious sides... Better luck next time re: your cake.
I am a terrible baker and can only make a cheesecake and cakes from a box baked in a 9 x 13 inch pan... am hoping to get better.
Cheers!
My first thought was lasagna since you can make that weeks ahead and freeze. It's not very fancy, but I've found people really like it because they don't make it themselves.
How early do you want to make things? For my last party I did a stuffed chicken breast that I prepped the day before. Served with acorn squash (now in season) and a tossed salad. It couldn't have been simpler, had a lovely presentation, and tasted great.
Another not really fancy, but could be great if your weather is getting cold. Chili, or some other soups, and sandwiches. Make ahead and they taste even better as they sit.
A good company go-to is baked ziti/lasagne/stuffed shells with salad and garlic bread. While not "fancy" most people like it and it's very easy to have prepped ahead of time. You can do veggie or meat pastas. Salad can be dressed up with gourmet cheeses, roasted peppers, etc. For desert, what about cookie dough dip? If your guests are staying over, that's a great sit around and chat desert http://melissaheartsfood.blogspot.com/2010/01/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-dip.html
I make a stuffed shells with chicken that's really good, easy to make, and a little fancier than regular old stuffed shells (although still not very fancy). I just bake chicken, pull it, toss it a fry pan with fresh garlic, and then combine it with ricotta, mozzerella, and italian seasonings. Then put it in shells, cover with sauce, and bake. I had a recipe at some point but now I just eyeball it or taste the mixture as I'm adding seasonings. You could definitely prep ahead. Its also healthier that most stuffed shell recipes since you're replacing some of the cheese filling with baked chicken breast.
I agree that something similar to that with a salad and fresh bread or garlic bread would be good.