Cooking Help me plan DHs birthday dinner!! PLEASE!

[Katy Belle]

Hello fellow Cooks!

My DH is turning 40something Thursday. I have invited all the neighbors for dinner and drinks, but can't decide what to cook! By the way, Thursday night is our "friday night" because our weekend is Friday and Saturday here.

A little background...No pork products available, we live in a Muslim country. Also, we've just had two parties this past weekend with most of the same guests, not at my house. One served grilled chicken kabobs, and the rest of us brought salads, veggies, etc. And Last night most of us ate at a Mexican restaurant together.

So...give me some new good ideas. There will be about 22 guests, about half kids, but most over the age of 8, so many eat a lot

I am open to anything. I can grill, I'm not opposed to heating up the house with the oven, etc. Also, I will have a helper in the kitchen so that gives me a bit more flexibility.

Thanks!!!!
Katy

 

[CrazedDisFan]

How about Chicken Bruchetta Pasta? This is DELICIOUS and looks beautiful. It's easy and you can do most of it ahead.

http://www.recipelink.com/mf/14/9619

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I have a really good recipe for chicken francese that can be made ahead and reheated...that and a vegetable, rice or pasta is great for a crowd.

I also have a great marinade for beef and chicken that everyone loves.

Chicken Francese (Would be great with shrimp or veal too!)

1 1/2 lb thin cut chicken breast
salt, pepper and garlic powder
1 - 2 eggs (beaten)
3/4 cup flour
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1 TBS lemon juice (I usually add about 5 TBS)
parsley for color
1/2 stick butter
oil for frying
flour or corn starch mixed with a little water to thicken sauce (optional)
Optional toppings: sauted mushrooms, spinach, ham, prociutto, mozzerella

I usually double the sauce and serve with linguine or rice...Yummy!

Heat fry pan and oil to fry chicken. In a shallow dish mix flour with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Coat chicken with flour then dip in egg and fry to golden brown on both sides. Drain chicken and set aside (this can be done prior and refridgerated).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

SAUCE (can be made ahead too) In a small sauce pan, melt butter and saute garlic lightly. Add broth, lemon juice and wine. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add flour/cornstarch to thicken and boil for a few minutes. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Line baking dish with chicken, pour sauce over meat (if doubled recipe for sauce do not use entire amount), add toppings. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.


Wing or Flank Steak Marinade

1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup dry white wine
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
3 tbs veg oil

Mix all together and marinate meat for at least 8 hours...overnight is better. Cook meat as you normally would. I like the wings started in the oven and finished on the grill.

 

[MazdaUK]

I love the Pampered Chef hot broccoli dip - its on their website under appetisers

 

[mommytotwo]

What did you end up making Katy Belle?

 

[Katy Belle]

I ended up making bar-b-que beef sandwhiches. I found a recipe where you braise the raw meat in the sauce for 3 hours. It was delicious and we polished off most of four roasts!

I also served cheesey garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms (appetizers), roasted potatoes, seseame green beans, greek salad, fruit tray, veggie tray, german choc. cake, ice cream, brownies.

Mostly new recipes and ALL keepers!!! I've actually made the garlic bread and greek salad again since the party! AND I've purchased musrhooms to make those again too!

It was a lot of fun, need to do it more often.

Katy

 

[mommytotwo]

I ended up making bar-b-que beef sandwhiches. I found a recipe where you braise the raw meat in the sauce for 3 hours. It was delicious and we polished off most of four roasts!

I also served cheesey garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms (appetizers), roasted potatoes, seseame green beans, greek salad, fruit tray, veggie tray, german choc. cake, ice cream, brownies.

Mostly new recipes and ALL keepers!!! I've actually made the garlic bread and greek salad again since the party! AND I've purchased musrhooms to make those again too!

It was a lot of fun, need to do it more often.

Katy

Sounds like a great meal .

 

[castmemberb4]

Oh my Gosh ! I hope to get invited to one of your parties soem day
That sounded fantastic !
Lynn