Bad Cook, wants to have dinner party

[jemo]

My wife and I are both very mediocre cooks. There are 4-5 couples that I'd really like to have over one weekend for dinner but I'm totally lossed on what to prepare.

Do any of you have any ideas on something that tastes fabulous but is easy to make - and something not too common? Chicken is good when it's good but hard to make impressive. None of us eat pork. Fish has always been unimpressive.

I'd be grateful for any ideas. Thanks!

[pdswife]

Hi, welcome to the group!

How about stuffed corning game hens?
Or a pasta with seafood sauce?
or I have a wonderful recipe for clam chowder. Serve it with a good French
bread and a nice green salad. There are 100's of ideas. I'm sure you'll get
lots more answers.

smiles, Trish

[AllenOK]

Do you have access to a BBQ Smoker? I've got a pork butt going right now. You said you and your guests don't eat pork. How about smoking a turkey?

Maybe you could make it interactive? Host a chili cookoff, and have all your guests bring some chili. They wouldn't have to cook much, either, as everyone is bringing some.

[jemo]

Stuffed cornish hens...are those baked? I'm afraid I'd have to make too many for this group.

I do have a smoker and it's sorta hit or miss. Sometimes it turns out great and other times...raw. The other problem with smoking chickens is that I don't think my smoker can hold more than 3-4 small chickens which may or may not be enough for 12+ people?

Seafood pasta sounds good.

[pdswife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemo Stuffed cornish hens...are those baked? I'm afraid I'd have to make too many for this group. I do have a smoker and it's sorta hit or miss. Sometimes it turns out great and other times...raw. The other problem with smoking chickens is that I don't think my smoker can hold more than 3-4 small chickens which may or may not be enough for 12+ people? Seafood pasta sounds good.

I have a clam pasta recipe. Would you like it??

You're right you'd have to cook a lot of hens. I'll keep thinking.

[Ishbel]

What about beouf bourguignonne? You start it hours before your guests are due to arrive and it is very forgiving and can stand extra long cooking time.

[jennyema]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishbel What about beouf bourguignonne? You start it hours before your guests are due to arrive and it is very forgiving and can stand extra long cooking time.

YUM! You are so right about it being forgiving. Served over egg noodles with a real nice salad and some good french bread. Maybe some good cheese, too.

[PA Baker]

Do you have a crock pot? I have a crock pot recipe for beef stroganoff that is very easy and forgiving, too. You can make it all ahead and just switch the dial to warm if it's ready before your guests are.

Or how about a pasta bolognese? You could make the sauce ahead of time and just have to cook a big pot of pasta right before serving.

Let me know if you want either of these recipes. And welcome to Discuss Cooking!

[amber]

How about a mexican theme? Enchilada's are great, you can bake a large pan full of them, with whatever stuffings you like, top them with some spicy salsa ( I like Newmans, hot), and then add cheese on top and bake. Serve it with some spicy rice, and refried beans. Anyone know how to make Marjarita's? You could ask some of the couples to be in charge of making the drinks while you do the cooking. Maybe make a nacho platter too as an appetizer.

[kyles]

If you're doing the three course thing I would cheat on course one and three. An antipasto plater always goes down well, and you can make some of it and buy some of it. Chicken cacciatore is another of those dishes that once you have done the preparation you can let it do it's thing. It's lovely with polenta which is easy to cook.
Dessert you could do as the French do and buy a great pastry or cake. Or semi freddo (a bit like ice cream but easier to make) is a good dessert with some fresh fruit, and in keeping with a Italian theme. Let me know if you want any receipts (olde English for recipe)