NSAIF poll: Your go-to menu for dinner parties?

howleyshell · February 2011

I need help.

I have 1 meal that I love to do for dinner parties - DH's Mom's recipe for spaghetti, meatballs and sausage.

It's great because it cooks all day long and all I have to do is cook the pasta, veggie, bread and serve. My kitchen time takes maybe 15 minutes after the guests are here and half of that is just being close to the stove and not actually needing to DO anything.

Well... we're finally getting to where we can keep the boys up later and we're trying to revive our lagging adult social life by having people over more often.

You can only serve the same meal so often before you get sick of it yourself!

So what's your go to menu for dinner parties?

I HATE things that are prep-intensive right before serving because I hate having my back to my guests and not being a good hostess.

Lay it on me, please!

*** note: When it's just one other family we often grill steaks and salmon but with a big guest list (13 for this Friday) it's a bit rough on the pocket book.

DavezWife · February 2011

Risotto!! I have the BEST way to cook it, and you can literally put what you want in it, and it's BETTER the second day, just heat in the oven and serve with some crusty bread! (I'll give you the play by play if you want, lemme know)

oct11bride03 · February 2011

We don't entertain often, but I'm with you - I hate last minute prep before serving when we have company.

I can't think of anything off the top of my head, so I'm going to take the lame way out and just direct you to my blog. I've got a ton of recipes in there and something might strike you. Link in siggy.

howleyshell · February 2011

DavezWife:
(I'll give you the play by play if you want, lemme know)

If it's not too much trouble - YES PLEASE!!!

My SIL has a recipe to die for but I actually don't have it in my regular repertoire so please school me!

I know the kids would go bonkers for it.

BeccaLandes · February 2011

My mom always makes chicken marbella for big dinners with lots of people. You make it and marinate it the day before, and it is really delicious. You can find it on google, it's a popular recipe.

I also like to make things like brisket or short ribs, or turkey drumsticks because they are made early in the day and then braise, so you don't have to do anything for them while the guests are there.

Then I usually have a salad (or ask someone to bring a salad), bread and cheese, and a vegetable and starch-- sometimes roasted broccoli, mashed sweet potatoes, quick-cooking polenta, things like that.

CMM05 · February 2011

How about the awesome french dip sandwiches that you make in the crock pot?? SO good!

https://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/03/french-dip-sandwiches.html

You could also do a chicken caesar salad.........

Or, if you want to go casual and "fun," you could do a hot dog bar

roaringrock · February 2011

grilled fish!!! yes, you can even grill in the winter. sometimes it's tuna steak marinated (briefly) in soy sauce, olive oil and sesame seeds or swordfish slathered in mayo or shrimp skewers. simple simon!

togo · February 2011

I have made this PenneRustica a few times for dinner guests. Also lasagna is another good one. How about something in the crock pot? A roast or pulled pork.

I've made this SausageBowtiesCreamSauce it takes no time to put together, you could cook the sauce first and then just cook the bowties and open a bag of salad. It's our favorite around here, H's friends still talk about how good it is.

sliz · February 2011

Chicken breast mirabelle (I think) - it has olives & prunes baked with the chicken. Just marinate it the night before in a large glass baking dish in the fridge. Then pop the dish to bake in the oven right before the party. Serve with a veggie like green bean almondine, asparagus, glazed carrots, roasted potatoes etc. Add a salad and dinner rolls and voila!

charmcitygirl · February 2011

Depending on the crowd here are some things that we've done:

sloppy joes in crock pot

baked chicken

lasagna

cook out food - burgers, dogs, all the fixins

sausage with peppers and onions

stuffed eggplant/mushrooms/peppers

I usually serve with a salad and some yummy bread that corresponds with the dish. Depending on what I'm serving, I do mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice, etc as my side dish.

GuitaristsGirl · February 2011

I'm not sure of the formality you're looking for, but for a more casual crowd we like to do:

Chili with all the fixins

Pasta with sauteed andouille sausage, peppers, and (:hangs head in shame:) jarred roasted red pepper Alfredo sauce (people love it!)

Tortellini bake - cook tortellini, add chicken (rotisserie or grilled), sauce, top with cheese, bake

Lasagna or white chicken lasagna

Enchilladas, i.e. https://amberskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/06/hungry-man-mexican.html (but I use a jarred sauce, I didn't care for the one in the recipe)

When it's nice weather we just throw everything on the grill - fruit and veggies included. A favorite protein is grilled fish/ fish sandwiches (good bread, arugula, tomatoes, etc.)

In the summer I also like to do a "salad supper" - chicken salad, fruit salad, roasted shrimp and orzo salad (Ina Garten's recipe), and croissants

And I'd love your spaghetti recipe!!

GuitaristsGirl · February 2011

CMM05:
How about the awesome french dip sandwiches that you make in the crock pot?? SO good!

https://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/03/french-dip-sandwiches.html

That sounds so easy and fun - and my hubby loves french dips! Thanks for sharing!

PhillySue · February 2011

Chicken parm and baked ziti. I make them ahead of time and just throw it in the oven when guests arrive. Chili is also a go to for me. I make it in the morning and let it cook all day so it is ready when people arrive. I will also make corn bread to go with the chili.

ladychicago · February 2011

For prep ahead,we like to do either pounded breaded lemon chicken or stuffed chicken breasts, with roasted veggies and either roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or cous cous of some kind. Or pizza and salad. :-) lasagna is also a go to.

Mouseygail · February 2011

how about a roast chicken and some roasted, herbed potatoes? yum!

when it gets warmer, we love to do grilled pizza parties. takes a bit of prep ahead of time get all of the ingredients/toppings chopped and cooked, but guests top their own crusts and DH mans the grill, so once the party starts, I don't have to do anything

GypsyEsq · February 2011

I'm no help -- I tend to do things that come right off the stove as guests are sitting down like gyoza or poached eggs (not together) -- but I like the idea for lasagna and the chicken mirabelle. I also have done roast turkey and chicken. Grilled spatchcocked chickens are great, easy, and quick. Nigella Lawson has some amazing dinner party menus in her cookbooks. Whether you follow them to a "t" or just take inspiration from them they are wonderful. The spatchcocked chickens that I do are hers, as is my roast chicken and "lazy mash". When DH is in charge of dinner party cooking he often does sushi or jambalaya or gumbo.

amberleeb · February 2011

Not Fancy- White chicken lasagna

Fancy- Salad with crazins, mandrian oranges, honey almonds

Lemon cream chicken, twice baked potato's, and a veggie

Raspberry cheesecake

(This is great because is prepped ahead of time you just need to put in on the plate once it come out of the oven so you have all your time with your guests!)

kirs10nBryce · February 2011

I do a version of Salsa Chicken in the crock pot that is sooo easy and is always a hit ...

In crockpot, put desiered amount of chicken tenders (I throw them in frozen in the morning or sometimes will assemble everything into the crock the night before and keep in fridge until morning). Add a big jar of your favorite salsa (we use about half of a Costco sized bottle of the Pace picante medium heat). That's the basic recipe ... two ingredients. But to stretch the recipe a little further, I'll often add a cup or more of rice (sushi rice usually) at the bottom of the crock. Let it cook on low all day and then spend a few minutes shredding the chicken and mix it all together. So simple but sooo tasty.

I usually serve with several shredded cheeses and tortillas on the side in case people want to use it in a burrito but when we eat this at home without company, we're just as happy to serve it in a bowl and have that be a full meal.

Serve chips, guac, nachos, or cornbread and a salad along side of it for a simple meal.

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