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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.
Do you have a "go-to" meal/dessert for small dinner parties?
There will 4 adults. Definitely looking for something fairly simple but yummy/sort of different. Something where most of the prep work is done ahead of time.
Thanks ladies!
Re: Do you have a "go-to" meal/dessert for small dinner parties?
I always change it up...don't really have a "go-to". Here are a few ideas that are a bit different...all are make ahead:
Braciole
Pastitsio
Moo Shu Pork (with homemade pancakes and hoisin sauce)
Umbrian Sausage Bake
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Chicken Cacciatore is one of my go-to's
These Pennsylvania Dutch Brownies are kind of unique
Baked Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Marinated Tomato Slices
Chocolate Snack Cake
This is a great menu for me because I cam make the spaghetti either with ground meat or vegetarian, which is good since DH and several friends are vegetarians. The chocolate snack cake is a war-time recipe and is actually vegan, so if I change out a few things, I can make it a vegan meal depending on who is coming over.
I like these molten chocolate cakes for an easy dessert.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/molten-chocolate-cakes-69182.aspx
I bake these in 4 ramekins, not muffin cups. They take about 5 minutes to prep and can be made ahead. They are delicious served with berries and whipped cream, ice cream or gelato.
For dinner braised something .... lamb shanks, pork shoulder, oxtail (depends on the crowd), short ribs. Not much prep at all, the oven does all the work Throw vegetables in the with meat or serve with roasted potatoes or creamy polenta and saut?ed vegetables or large salad.
Dessert crowd pleasers include:
Saveur's Chocolate Cream Pie (fast/easy, tastes better if made the night before, everyone loves it) All you have to do is whip some cream and top with chocolate shavings before serving.
Creme Brule - individual servings or one large one. Pumpkin, Coffee, Coconut have all been hits. Best if made the day before. Top with sugar and caramelize just before serving.
Chocolate Chip Cookies - I make the dough the night before and refrigerate (makes for better cookies) and scoop and bake them after we have finished dinner. Serve them warm. For company I replace the chocolate chips with good chocolate bars chopped up and I use a mix of chocolates - a little milk, most 60-70% and a little very dark. Makes a familiar thing a little fancy.