Menu Help for dinner guests

[momandkidslovedisney]

My good friend from childhood is coming into town on Saturday. I am cooking dinner for her and her husband (this will be our first time meeting) and a few other friends.

HELP! What should I make? I need something easy to prepare. I don't want to be in the kitchen the whole night. It doesn't have to be cheap, but I don't want it to break my budget. The weather reports are predicting a very hot and humid day on Saturday. We have air conditioning, but I don't want to make something really heavy.

The dinner party will include 6-12 guests, not everybody has RSVP'd yet.

I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, or recipes!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

You could prepare ahead of time chicken parmiagiana and then stick it in the oven to heat or

Barbecue, I would do that for my friend, and people usually like bbq food
with pasta salad, watermelon, etc

have a good time!

 

[thebeesknees]

Chef salad? Cook your eggs, bacon, etc. ahead of time and just put everything out for people to make their own salad. Subs are always good, too. Get a few different kinds of lunch meat and cheeses, throw together a veggie tray with chips and you are good to go. Finish it off with make-your-own sundaes and you shouldn't be to hot or too stuck in the kitchen.

 

[Justsyd2]

Do either Beef or Pork Tenderloins with rice or potatoes, veggies, salad, and rolls! It's so easy!!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

on the pork tenderloin -- you might need more than one for the group. Add wild rice, Spinach and Cranberry Salad (you make it all ahead of time and only toss together at the last minute), fresh green beans or broccoli, and a good loaf of crusty bread, and you're all set!!

For dessert, make a Chocolate Trifle or a Fruity Trifle -- you make it ahead of time. Have some cookies on hand, and some nuts and mints -- yum!

 

[pixiewings71]

Baked ziti, salad & bread. Add some wine if you like it and you're good to go.

 

[bentos]

how about something oriental? there are a lot of asian delicacies that are easy to make just search on-line for recipes. it will surely impress them

 

[MomofSixinSC]

I say, if it is hot and there is no AC, your best bet is a crockpot. If twevle people are coming, you might want to borrow a friend's crockpot as well. Nice and easy would be a pot roast or two. Here is how I prepare mine and my family loves it.

Iwash and chop a bunch of potatoes into the crockpot(s) - about one per person chopped into 8ths. Also a few handfulls of baby carrots. Then put the roast on top (if necessary to have lid fit on top, make a nest of the veggies for the roast to sit in). Sprinkle this generously with seasoning salt and dried, minced onion (or omit the dried onion and use a jar of small, whole onions). Then cover the whole thing with double strength beef broth. I use 3 cubes of beef broth in 1.5 cups water. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve sliced with veggies (you can make more veggies or a salad if you like) and some gravy. Oh, and a nice, artisean bread.

 

[HeatherC]

How about a spiral ham? Very easy...can also be served at room temp or cold with little rolls to make sandwiches. Put out some fancy mustards/mayo with some cold salads that you can make ahead of time like cucumber salad, panzanella bread salad, couscous salad, etc..

For dessert you can make a big fruit salad and serve it with store bought angel food cake or pound cake and some whipped cream.

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

You guys rock! Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas. They all sound so good!! Now I need to decide which one to make.

 

[mjkacmom]

Baked ziti, salad & bread. Add some wine if you like it and you're good to go.

Jersey girl here who was going to suggest a similar meal - lasagne. You can make it a day ahead, and just reheat.

 

[mrsboz]

I also love the spiral ham idea. I do this often when we have company because it is so easy. I also make scalloped potatoes, and green been casserole with it. Everything can be made ahead so you don't have much at all to prepare. If you like, you can also add a couple of cold dishes, such as pasta salad, potato salad and macaroni salad. So easy and it can all be done ahead.

Another thing that I do is an italian theme. All can be done ahead also. Crockpot of meatballs, chicken parm in oven and then stovetop spaghetti w/sauce. I also have a salad made with garlic bread.

I'm getting hungry!