Major dinner party help needed PLEASE

tbabe

My DH is having his first novel published this summer.  Needless to say, we're super excited and I want to throw a dinner party to celebrate.  We've got a guest list, 10-12 people, and I know that he wants to eat prime rib.  Im feeling a bit overwhelmed as I want this to be perfect, start to finish.  Any suggestions?  The book is a horror/dark humor about a lake monster if that helps. 

Magdala9

Prime Rib

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic 

Tomatos in Balsamic Vinegar (Slice red and yellow tomatoes and drizzle with balsamic vinegar---this goes fantastic with beef dishes).

His favorite summer vegetable

His favorite dessert (If you want fancy, check out Pavlova which is a meringue shell filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit.  You can make the shell and whip the cream ahead of time).  

Pick a couple of different loaves at a bakery for passing around.

Add a cheese course.  A platter of three different cheeses with membrillo (quince paste) and fresh grapes.  Add some fancier crackers and you are done. 

Notice that a lot of these suggestions are very simple foods that are dressed up. A great party is about the people and sufficient choices--not overwhelming the cook.    The prime rib first then the mash potatoes then slice the tomatoes then steam his favorite vegetable.

You can do this!!!

Even simpler--pick up Nigella Lawson's How to Eat, there is a classic Roast Beef Dinner in their with a timeline that tells you when to start each item.   

SA7206

Magdala posted pretty much exactly what I was going to post.

Congratulations to your H.

lsgarver

Magdala9:

Prime Rib

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic 

Tomatos in Balsamic Vinegar (Slice red and yellow tomatoes and drizzle with balsamic vinegar---this goes fantastic with beef dishes).

His favorite summer vegetable

His favorite dessert (If you want fancy, check out Pavlova which is a meringue shell filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit.  You can make the shell and whip the cream ahead of time).  

Pick a couple of different loaves at a bakery for passing around.

Add a cheese course.  A platter of three different cheeses with membrillo (quince paste) and fresh grapes.  Add some fancier crackers and you are done. 

Notice that a lot of these suggestions are very simple foods that are dressed up. A great party is about the people and sufficient choices--not overwhelming the cook.    The prime rib first then the mash potatoes then slice the tomatoes then steam his favorite vegetable.

You can do this!!!

Even simpler--pick up Nigella Lawson's How to Eat, there is a classic Roast Beef Dinner in their with a timeline that tells you when to start each item.   

This is an awesome and well-thought-out plan.

I'd add that you should print out your menu/plan and take it to a reputable wine shop (not any old liquor store) and ask what they suggest within your budget.  Buy a couple bottles plus any liquor that he particularly likes.

Consider a quick toast to him.  Nothing longer than 30 seconds to one minute, just a few words of how proud you are to commemorate it as a celebration and not just another dinner party.

Relax and have fun--a dinner party, especially a celebratory one, can be technically perfect and still boring as hell if the hostess is caught up in the prep and not the guests.

Ditto the You can do this!!

afloggie

Magdala9:

Prime Rib

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic 

Tomatos in Balsamic Vinegar (Slice red and yellow tomatoes and drizzle with balsamic vinegar---this goes fantastic with beef dishes).

His favorite summer vegetable

His favorite dessert (If you want fancy, check out Pavlova which is a meringue shell filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit.  You can make the shell and whip the cream ahead of time).  

Pick a couple of different loaves at a bakery for passing around.

Add a cheese course.  A platter of three different cheeses with membrillo (quince paste) and fresh grapes.  Add some fancier crackers and you are done. 

Notice that a lot of these suggestions are very simple foods that are dressed up. A great party is about the people and sufficient choices--not overwhelming the cook.    The prime rib first then the mash potatoes then slice the tomatoes then steam his favorite vegetable.

You can do this!!!

Even simpler--pick up Nigella Lawson's How to Eat, there is a classic Roast Beef Dinner in their with a timeline that tells you when to start each item.   

This.

Mere7706

yum! I love this menu... I may steal it for my Easter dinner with dh (if we don't go out of town). 

Congrats to you and your husband on this awesome achievement!!!  

I have nothing to add unless you wanted to do some appetizers before dinner is served....  then one I'd suggest is asparagus wrapped in proscuitto-- or maybe even adding that to your menu.