Easy dinner party meal ideas?

[Anonymous]

Just a group of six but I get so overwhelmed with cleaning, setting everything up, appetizers, etc. For this same group we have done a roast with side a salad, steak tacos in the summer, and lasagna with salad and bread the last time (I cheated with a costco lasagna). Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

You haven't done chicken yet. Get two or three baked chickens at Costco, roast potatoes and serve with string beans.

[Anonymous]

Pulled pork sandwiches, slaw, cornbread, salad, beers. Not all that seasonally appropriate, but still great.

[Anonymous]

Or baked ham. Really easy. Buy a bone-in ham shank. Unwrap, rinse off in the sink, put into an oven-proof Dutch oven. Rub a few handfuls of brown sugar on the skin. Pour apple cider (cider, not juice) into the bottom so that is comes about 2 inches up the side of the ham. Bake at 325-350 for about 2 hours (internal temp of 140F). Baste once or twice. Slice. I've made this for holidays for 20 years and everyone always raves about how good the ham is and what did I do to it. Takes about 2-3 minutes to prep (except preheating the oven) plus carving time. If you really want, you can make a gravy with the cider from the pan. Just make a roux and then add the cider (with the drippings from the ham mixed in) until you get the consistency you want. Goes with just about any good side dishes.

[Anonymous]

grilled prawns as a starter
a main of beef wellington with a side of pickled cabbage
chocolate souffle for dessert.

[Anonymous]

This is an easy pasta recipe (Orchiette with sausage and brocoli rabe - you could use spinach if you like) http://www.lidiasitaly.com/recipes/detail/268 - serve it with a salad and some bread. Assemble a cheese plate with olives for pre dinner snacking with wine. Buy some sort of dessert. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:grilled prawns as a starter
a main of beef wellington with a side of pickled cabbage
chocolate souffle for dessert.

While this sounds like a nice meal, I would not call Beef Wellington an easy meal idea. Nor a homemade chocolate souffle.

[Anonymous]

If you get overwhelmed, why not get platters from wegmens or whole foods?

[Anonymous]

" I would not call Beef Wellington an easy meal idea. Nor a homemade chocolate souffle"

haha I'll say! But it sounds great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or baked ham. Really easy. Buy a bone-in ham shank. Unwrap, rinse off in the sink, put into an oven-proof Dutch oven. Rub a few handfuls of brown sugar on the skin. Pour apple cider (cider, not juice) into the bottom so that is comes about 2 inches up the side of the ham. Bake at 325-350 for about 2 hours (internal temp of 140F). Baste once or twice. Slice. I've made this for holidays for 20 years and everyone always raves about how good the ham is and what did I do to it. Takes about 2-3 minutes to prep (except preheating the oven) plus carving time. If you really want, you can make a gravy with the cider from the pan. Just make a roux and then add the cider (with the drippings from the ham mixed in) until you get the consistency you want. Goes with just about any good side dishes.

Baked, sliced ham from Aldi. They have everything already prepared, you put it in oven, bake, put the glaze, bake some more.
Easy corn pudding,
Candied Brussels sprouts
potatoes, peas and carrots with dill and
Creamy spinach and artichoke casserole.

[Anonymous]

I love the chicken pot pie at costco. It's freshly made in the refrigerated section. Just brush with egg and bake. I made lemon butter green beans and cranberry sauce to go with it--delicious!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas everyone! Keep them coming! Pork is not an option for this group unfortunately.

Any other prepared or semi-prepared foods you like from Costco or elsewhere? We're not near Wegman's unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

I like doing heavy apps and making it more casual than a sit-down dinner. For my last party, I did meatballs in red wine sauce, a pesto pasta salad, a big salad with red wine vinaigrette, and some different breads and cheeses and fruits. Lots of beer and wine, of course. All simple dishes set out buffet style that were make-ahead and stress-free.

[Anonymous]

Do oh you have a crock pot? Chicken in the crockpot is wonderful and so easy.

[Anonymous]

I cook a brisket the day before, then slice and put into a nice serving dish. Then reheat (or cook for an extra hour or two if it needs it) for dinner. Serve with egg noodles and a side salad. Appetizers are cheese and crackers and maybe a dip.