Dinner party advice for an incompetent host (me)

[Anonymous]

Lebanese Taverna has a takeout place (one in Arlington, one in Rockville), that has really good stuff. You could get an assortment (kibbeh, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, baba ghanoush, etc) and grill or oven roast a few chickens ahead of time. You could put lemons, garlic, and oregano inside to make it meld. I like to be done with my cooking before people get there anyways. Dessert this time of year -- ice cream or a flourless chocolate cake, the one in Joy of Cooking is pretty easy and you can make it the night before.

If you do the taco bar (which kids love) don't forget to get some good guacamole!

[Anonymous]

This is a painfully easy recipe that always gets rave reviews (my brother-in-law called it gourmet last time). I use chicken breasts and double the marinade bc it's so yummy. All the comments help too.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/CHICKEN-MARBELLA-SILVER-PALATE-COOKBOOK-1277030

[Anonymous]

I figured that was chicken marbella without even clicking through (just seeing silver palate). That was our recipe for company for about 10 years until we realized we never served anyone anything else

[Anonymous]

I'd go the catering route then make a homemade dessert. Do you live in the District? If so, Rockland's has amazing bbq catering or you could do Surfside--also fabulous! Have fun!

[Anonymous]

How did it turn out?

[Anonymous]

For your next party...make this easy baked ziti:

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/baked-ziti-i/Detail.aspx

I love to cook elaborate stuff, but this is a foolproof, trusty go-to for a crowd that tastes like it took a lot longer to make than it really did. You can make it the day before and stick it in the fridge (or even further in advance and freeze/thaw). Make your own caesar salad or buy some caesar salad kits, slice up a loaf of italian bread and you're good to go. Costco has frozen tiramisu that you can stick in the fridge OR serve a scoop of vanilla gelato with some espresso poured over the top. YUM.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's too late for OP because the weekend dinner party she was hosting must have happened, but I say that, if she swore off entertaining at home, she should feel free to stick with it. No one and nothing can force you to host a party at home if you would rather not. I swore off entertaining at home 11 years ago (after I learned that second DH would not do jot of the work involved and left me to slave away the first time we gave a party) and and have never looked back! I make restaurant reservations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh are you guys ambitious. My old stand by is baked spaghetti (basically you mix all of the filling stuff that you use for lasagna or stuffed shells with cooked penne pasta and bake it for 45 minutes), garlic bread, salad and brownies for dessert. All of it is make ahead food. If I am motivated, I will make cupcakes and decorate them instead of brownies. But, I do serve it on my best dishes and I always pull out my pretty wine glasses. I've come to the conclusion that no one really cares much about the food. The whole point of getting together is the company and if you are stressed you won't get to visit with your friends.

I hate to say this, but some people do care about the food. I am disappointed when I go to the trouble to dress up a bit and travel to someone's house, only to eat everyday food. One time it was a pan of runny lasagna that the hostess said she had taken out of the freezer, and she ended the meal with store-bought ice cream and store- bought cookies. I think it was the way I was raised: my mother always put on the most astounding spreads when she was entertaining; anything less would have been a shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh are you guys ambitious. My old stand by is baked spaghetti (basically you mix all of the filling stuff that you use for lasagna or stuffed shells with cooked penne pasta and bake it for 45 minutes), garlic bread, salad and brownies for dessert. All of it is make ahead food. If I am motivated, I will make cupcakes and decorate them instead of brownies. But, I do serve it on my best dishes and I always pull out my pretty wine glasses. I've come to the conclusion that no one really cares much about the food. The whole point of getting together is the company and if you are stressed you won't get to visit with your friends.

I hate to say this, but some people do care about the food. I am disappointed when I go to the trouble to dress up a bit and travel to someone's house, only to eat everyday food. One time it was a pan of runny lasagna that the hostess said she had taken out of the freezer, and she ended the meal with store-bought ice cream and store- bought cookies. I think it was the way I was raised: my mother always put on the most astounding spreads when she was entertaining; anything less would have been a shame.

So what do you make when you invite people over? Or what dinners have others made for you that you've found acceptable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also do pulled pork sandwiches. Cook a pork roast in a crock pot (start in the morning) with bbq sauce, before serving shred and add more sauce. Put out buns, baked beans, chips, and/or other easy sides.

This is not a good idea. A lot of people don't eat pork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh are you guys ambitious. My old stand by is baked spaghetti (basically you mix all of the filling stuff that you use for lasagna or stuffed shells with cooked penne pasta and bake it for 45 minutes), garlic bread, salad and brownies for dessert. All of it is make ahead food. If I am motivated, I will make cupcakes and decorate them instead of brownies. But, I do serve it on my best dishes and I always pull out my pretty wine glasses. I've come to the conclusion that no one really cares much about the food. The whole point of getting together is the company and if you are stressed you won't get to visit with your friends.

I hate to say this, but some people do care about the food. I am disappointed when I go to the trouble to dress up a bit and travel to someone's house, only to eat everyday food. One time it was a pan of runny lasagna that the hostess said she had taken out of the freezer, and she ended the meal with store-bought ice cream and store- bought cookies. I think it was the way I was raised: my mother always put on the most astounding spreads when she was entertaining; anything less would have been a shame.

So what do you make when you invite people over? Or what dinners have others made for you that you've found acceptable?

I come from a tradition of the groaning board, thanks to my mother. I like to offer three main courses (a fish, a meat, and a chicken usually, and a vegetarian main if I am offering four mains), at least four or five sides, and one standout dessert. I like to make everything from scratch, as you might have guessed from my first post. I serve all this en famille, with all the dishes except dessert (which comes later), on the table at once. It makes for an abundant table.

Now, I understand that others may entertain in a more simple way, and I don't expect to be offered a banquet when I dine at someone else's house. Recently I enjoyed immensely a dinner at which the hostess served creamy cheesy chicken enchiladas that were to die for, a pico de gallo, a colorful red rice, a tortilla garden salad, limeade, and warm-from-the-oven lime squares for dessert. Everything was made from scratch except the tortillas. But my main point is that, although the menu was not complicated, everything was so hyper-delicious as to be out of the ordinary and the hostess obviously had put a lot of thought and effort into the dinner. I was very grateful (and had to have the recipes for the enchiladas!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh are you guys ambitious. My old stand by is baked spaghetti (basically you mix all of the filling stuff that you use for lasagna or stuffed shells with cooked penne pasta and bake it for 45 minutes), garlic bread, salad and brownies for dessert. All of it is make ahead food. If I am motivated, I will make cupcakes and decorate them instead of brownies. But, I do serve it on my best dishes and I always pull out my pretty wine glasses. I've come to the conclusion that no one really cares much about the food. The whole point of getting together is the company and if you are stressed you won't get to visit with your friends.

EXCELLENT Advice!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on this board just recommended a taco bar for me when I was entertaining relatives. It worked out great.

You can cook chicken, pork or beef in the crockpot (with appropriate spices, salsa, etc.) and shred them for taco filling. Make rice and heat up some black beans, cut up a lot of toppings like onions, avocado, plus cheese and sour cream. Make a big green salad.

Heat up the taco shells and you're done! Ice cream for dessert.

This was extremely popular with everyone -- it was delicious and quite easy.

I like this idea!

[Anonymous]

If I don't want to serve tacos, I marinate thinly sliced chicken breast in italian dressing and then grill them (can be done ahead) I will also cook a marinated london broil or skirt steak. Serve with rice, salad, sides, and a store bought dessert. This is slightly more elegant than a taco bar and has been well received by guests. It satisfies everyone and vegetarian guest can fill up on the sides. It's all in the presentation. Garnish with parsley, use attrative serving dishes and you are all set. I am older than most of you and I have come to believe that you have to cook in your comfort zone whether it be baked ziti (which sounded great), a some special recipe, or take-out from a caterer.

[Anonymous]

Not to be rude, but I am vegetarian and unless I'm at a dinner party with lots of people there, I hate it when I'm expected to just fill up on the side dishes. If I'm specifically invited for dinner, and the people know I'm vegetarian, then I appreciate when they provide me with some kind of entree (veggie burger, stuffed pepper, whatever). And if anyone comes to my house for dinner with dietary restrictions (like, as a PP noted, they don't eat pork), then I accommodate that and provide a complete meal they CAN eat.