Barefoot Contessa's mustard-roasted fish is a favorite, esp when you're out touring and don't have a lot time for prep. You literally combine ingredients and bake. It's a winner!

Chicken Marbella

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

I’m not the PP but if you’re going to turn your nose up at baked ziti then don’t come. I make a vegetarian baked ziti every other week. It’s easy and everyone in the house eats it.

Do you at least make your own sauce?

This is such a typical DCUM remark.

Not really. It is rude to have company over for dinner and put zero effort into a meal. Jarred sauce plus pasta, and a bag of shredded cheese, baked it the oven is a total cop out. Just order good take you can’t cook or don’t want to be bothered.

NP, but I thought the point of having company over for dinner was to enjoy their company over a meal, emphasis on enjoying the company. Making your own pasta sauce is a PITA (having done it). I’d rather hang out with people who aren’t going to stress over the perfect meal. If I want gourmet, I’ll go out to eat.

Then have them over for drinks if you just want their company without stressing over food. But to invite company over for dinner then serve a concoction of boxed and jarred stuff isn’t very good hospitality.

I'm the baked ziti poster and I'll have you know I make my own tomato sauce from scratch from tomatoes grown in my garden, I hand-make the pasta, and I raise the cows that provide the cheese, who I lovingly nurse for ten months each as calves. In my spare time I am also a glass blower and create the glass dish the baked ziti is cooked in. Obviously the garlic bread is made from scratch, and we grow the ingredients for the salad in the garden.

PP, you are The Best.

Baked Ziti Hater, you are not.

I love baked ziti and never think to make it so would love to be served this. I also dislike cornish hens and find fish en pappilote boring. I think those are all great choices, though. My point is that you cannot please everyone, you have no idea what your guests tastes will be. I would not knock anything someone cooked me for dinner and would be happy to be invited over.

Agreed. Baked ziti sounds delicious and much better than a bland fish or chicken. Regardless, it’s lovely when people take the time to have me over. And I would appreciate any home cooked meal over lukewarm Uber eats which I can order myself.

Pasta is usually a crowd pleaser and easy to modify for vegetarians and children. I love a make your own taco bowl. I love risotto but would not make it for guests as it takes a lot of attention while making and must be served immediately. I’d add enchiladas to the options I’ve seen suggested. They can be pre assembled and placed in the oven once your guests arrive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

Don’t be such a snob!

The poster asked what others like to make for company. You cannot “correct” a response to that question.

I am new mother. I am friends with many other new mothers, We are tried and exhausted basically 100% percent of the time. We don't expect a village or help beyond Uber Eats and a credit card, but... this ziti? Yeah I had twins and I would consider that trash.

I feel sorry for your future DIL.

I am an accomplished cook. When I am invited over, I am grateful for the effort my hostess has made because that’s what a guest does. It doesn’t have to be amazing or my favorite. In summer months we do grilled chicken thighs and shrimp kebabs, salad, 2 veggies and roasted potatoes. In winter months I do London broil with the same sides. Fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream. Fruit and veg are seasonal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

Don’t be such a snob!

The poster asked what others like to make for company. You cannot “correct” a response to that question.

I am new mother. I am friends with many other new mothers, We are tried and exhausted basically 100% percent of the time. We don't expect a village or help beyond Uber Eats and a credit card, but... this ziti? Yeah I had twins and I would consider that trash.

I feel sorry for your future DIL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

Don’t be such a snob!

The poster asked what others like to make for company. You cannot “correct” a response to that question.

I am new mother. I am friends with many other new mothers, We are tried and exhausted basically 100% percent of the time. We don't expect a village or help beyond Uber Eats and a credit card, but... this ziti? Yeah I had twins and I would consider that trash.

Pasta, Marcella Hazan's tomato sauce, garlic bread, and a salad with homemade vinaigrette. Sometimes my husband will make meatballs but I'm vegetarian so not always.

Simple, not offensive, everyone always loves it.

Rissotto, pesto chicken

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

I’m not the PP but if you’re going to turn your nose up at baked ziti then don’t come. I make a vegetarian baked ziti every other week. It’s easy and everyone in the house eats it.

Do you at least make your own sauce?

This is such a typical DCUM remark.

Not really. It is rude to have company over for dinner and put zero effort into a meal. Jarred sauce plus pasta, and a bag of shredded cheese, baked it the oven is a total cop out. Just order good take you can’t cook or don’t want to be bothered.

NP, but I thought the point of having company over for dinner was to enjoy their company over a meal, emphasis on enjoying the company. Making your own pasta sauce is a PITA (having done it). I’d rather hang out with people who aren’t going to stress over the perfect meal. If I want gourmet, I’ll go out to eat.

Then have them over for drinks if you just want their company without stressing over food. But to invite company over for dinner then serve a concoction of boxed and jarred stuff isn’t very good hospitality.

I'm the baked ziti poster and I'll have you know I make my own tomato sauce from scratch from tomatoes grown in my garden, I hand-make the pasta, and I raise the cows that provide the cheese, who I lovingly nurse for ten months each as calves. In my spare time I am also a glass blower and create the glass dish the baked ziti is cooked in. Obviously the garlic bread is made from scratch, and we grow the ingredients for the salad in the garden.

LMAO! Thanks, PP. It's all brilliant, but especially the bolded.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

I’m not the PP but if you’re going to turn your nose up at baked ziti then don’t come. I make a vegetarian baked ziti every other week. It’s easy and everyone in the house eats it.

Do you at least make your own sauce?

This is such a typical DCUM remark.

Not really. It is rude to have company over for dinner and put zero effort into a meal. Jarred sauce plus pasta, and a bag of shredded cheese, baked it the oven is a total cop out. Just order good take you can’t cook or don’t want to be bothered.

NP, but I thought the point of having company over for dinner was to enjoy their company over a meal, emphasis on enjoying the company. Making your own pasta sauce is a PITA (having done it). I’d rather hang out with people who aren’t going to stress over the perfect meal. If I want gourmet, I’ll go out to eat.

Then have them over for drinks if you just want their company without stressing over food. But to invite company over for dinner then serve a concoction of boxed and jarred stuff isn’t very good hospitality.

I'm the baked ziti poster and I'll have you know I make my own tomato sauce from scratch from tomatoes grown in my garden, I hand-make the pasta, and I raise the cows that provide the cheese, who I lovingly nurse for ten months each as calves. In my spare time I am also a glass blower and create the glass dish the baked ziti is cooked in. Obviously the garlic bread is made from scratch, and we grow the ingredients for the salad in the garden.

Nurse the calves!!!

I adore you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

NP-Some friends and family of mine request baked ziti because they like my home made sauce.

You better break the news to them that, apparently, you both have been doing hospitality wrong.

🤣

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

I’m not the PP but if you’re going to turn your nose up at baked ziti then don’t come. I make a vegetarian baked ziti every other week. It’s easy and everyone in the house eats it.

Do you at least make your own sauce?

This is such a typical DCUM remark.

Not really. It is rude to have company over for dinner and put zero effort into a meal. Jarred sauce plus pasta, and a bag of shredded cheese, baked it the oven is a total cop out. Just order good take you can’t cook or don’t want to be bothered.

NP, but I thought the point of having company over for dinner was to enjoy their company over a meal, emphasis on enjoying the company. Making your own pasta sauce is a PITA (having done it). I’d rather hang out with people who aren’t going to stress over the perfect meal. If I want gourmet, I’ll go out to eat.

Then have them over for drinks if you just want their company without stressing over food. But to invite company over for dinner then serve a concoction of boxed and jarred stuff isn’t very good hospitality.

Stop already!! Who died and appointed you Martha Stewart?!

Easiest dinner for guests: a whole fillet of salmon (or two, depending on the size and how many guests), lightly seasoned, grilled or oven roasted. Tray of asparagus grilled or roasted alongside the salmon. Serve with a salad and either rice or a crusty bread.

Option 2: whole roasted chicken, with a tray of roasted mixed vegetables. Add a salad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

Don’t be such a snob!

The poster asked what others like to make for company. You cannot “correct” a response to that question.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, cookies from Italian bakery
2. Baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, Mrs. Smith's dutch apple pie

Please no baked ziti. If you have to resort to a jarred sauce, ground beef, pasta all baked into a casserole, just get good takeout.

I’m not the PP but if you’re going to turn your nose up at baked ziti then don’t come. I make a vegetarian baked ziti every other week. It’s easy and everyone in the house eats it.

Do you at least make your own sauce?

This is such a typical DCUM remark.

Not really. It is rude to have company over for dinner and put zero effort into a meal. Jarred sauce plus pasta, and a bag of shredded cheese, baked it the oven is a total cop out. Just order good take you can’t cook or don’t want to be bothered.

NP, but I thought the point of having company over for dinner was to enjoy their company over a meal, emphasis on enjoying the company. Making your own pasta sauce is a PITA (having done it). I’d rather hang out with people who aren’t going to stress over the perfect meal. If I want gourmet, I’ll go out to eat.

Then have them over for drinks if you just want their company without stressing over food. But to invite company over for dinner then serve a concoction of boxed and jarred stuff isn’t very good hospitality.

I'm the baked ziti poster and I'll have you know I make my own tomato sauce from scratch from tomatoes grown in my garden, I hand-make the pasta, and I raise the cows that provide the cheese, who I lovingly nurse for ten months each as calves. In my spare time I am also a glass blower and create the glass dish the baked ziti is cooked in. Obviously the garlic bread is made from scratch, and we grow the ingredients for the salad in the garden.

PP, you are The Best.

Baked Ziti Hater, you are not.

I love baked ziti and never think to make it so would love to be served this. I also dislike cornish hens and find fish en pappilote boring. I think those are all great choices, though. My point is that you cannot please everyone, you have no idea what your guests tastes will be. I would not knock anything someone cooked me for dinner and would be happy to be invited over.