Anonymous wrote:For appetizers, I saw Giada on the Today Show this morning with these recipes, which all sounded really good and EASY.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/50251108/ns/today-food/

For dinner, I like the salmon and lasagna ideas, and if you want something a little out of the ordinary, try making Moussaka.

These appetizers look great and along the lines of what I'd serve. I would never think to serve grapes and apple slices unless I was hosting a group of toddlers.

Anonymous wrote:App:
buy spiced nuts, nice cheeses and crackers, fancy olives. Just go to WF and get a mix.


I agree with Salmon - get a big fillet and top with herbs and thin slices of lemon for presentation. And agree with green beans or asparagus.

If you want something easier than potatoes, buy some premade while rice pilaf from WF or something.

Agree to buy dessert.

If I was going to a dinner party, I would want this menu.

Chicken Saltimbocca:

4 Chicken Breast, cut each lengthwise in half and season w/salt and pepper on the inside and outside
wrap chicken breast with 2 fresh sage leaves and slice of prociutto and secure with tooth pick
Melt 2 tbsp. butter in pan and sear the chicken breasts for a few minutes until golden brown on the outside.
Add 100 ml Marsala into the pan and cook for about 12 minutes until tender.

Finely slice green zucchini and fry in 1 tbsp. of olive oil
Add a little bit of vegetable broth and season with salt/pepper
Add 1 tbsp. maple syrup
Cook zucchini for about 10 min.

At the very end, add about 2-3 tsp. of the zucchini cooking liquid to the chicken marsala sauce.

Serve with rice and a lightly dressed arugula or lambs lettuce salad!

Fish (sea bass or another white fish) cooked in parchment paper is super easy and fast. Serve with a nice salad and a starch. We often serve with rice.

Cheese board prior to dinner.

Buy dessert.

You could make shrimp and grits. Do the grits and the vegetable gravy base the day before (I add mushrooms and peppers to mine) and reheat and add shrimp before guests arrive. Only needs a few minutes for shrimp to cook.

For appetizers, I love manchego cheese paired with quince paste and nuts.

If you don't want to buy desert, this is what I often make - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/key-lime-pie-i/detail.aspx

I buy the graham cracker crust. You can also buy the lemon & lime juice (I never find key limes, do half lime juice, half lemon juice) - although, I use fresh squeezed b/c I think it does make a difference. It's a really easy pie to make and everyone I've served it to LOVES it. In fact, our friends & relatives regularly request it (even the food snobs). It's super easy b/c you can make it way ahead and just have it in the freezer.