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[quote=Anonymous][quote]I would either serve lasagna (vace makes a great one - just defrost and heat), garlic bread and salad (make ahead and have it ready). Or I'd grill - let the guys go outside to grill the meat while you and friends finish putting out chips, baked beans, make-ahead pasta salad, bowl of fruit. I like to grill marinated chicken breasts and thighs, but you can always throw on hot dogs for picky kids. As a pp said, set out all the drinks ahead of time (preferably not in an area where you'll be accessing to get ready for dinner) - keep it simple with beer, wine, water and juice boxes for kids. Buy dessert - ice cream and cookies are a hit with all ages. Have fun! [/quote]

I totally agree with this.

If you want to cook it yourself, lasagna is a great dish to start with.  There are lots of recipes to choose from, it's not that hard to execute, most people like it, it's easy to do vegetarian if that's a factor, and you can do the whole thing in advance so if you screw it up, you have time to do it again or go buy one.  Add garlic bread and a salad--both also easy to make.

Here's an easy salad: baby spinach leaves, goat cheese crumbles, something red (strawberries, dried cranberries, red peppers, whatever, but just one of them), and some kind of nut (pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, or pepitas).  For extra credit, you can lightly toast the nuts.  That's easier than it sounds--you just heat them in a small dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, till they start to turn color and smell yummy.  Toss them around every minute or so so they don't burn on one side. For salad dressing, mix equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and shake in a cruet or whisk vigorously in a bowl before putting into the cruet or small serving pitcher.  Or just buy a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette.

For affordable, entry-level red wine, I'd go with Mark West Pinot Noir or a Spanish Rioja (Crianza) like LAN rioja or Marques de Caceres.  These are all between $12-15.  For a white, I'd go with Hogue or Chateau St. Michelle riesling or gewurtztraminer (all about $10), or if you can find it, Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier (about $12).  Lots of people also like Santa Margerita pinot grigio or Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc, though they're not faves of mine.  (Dont' buy any wine with a cute name or an animal on the label.)

There are a million beers and a million opinions on them.  But to please a crowd, get one pale ale or IPA (India Pale Ale), one Belgian-style beer, and a basic light beer like Bud Light.  Some people love IPAs and hate Belgians, and some people love Belgians and hate IPAs, and some people just want basic light beer.  Or, if you have to pick just one beer, pick Sam Adams (the original).

Trader Joe's has awesome desserts, all kinds, in their freezer.  Or, you can't go wrong with Breyer's vanilla and some berries.  Maybe lemon ice cups for the kids.[/quote]

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