Dinner w/ friends - what are some ideas for meals to serve?

[CORVETTE]

Looking for ideas on meals, causal, as we've invited two families over for dinner

Hate to grill, but would, for the right meal. I was thinking something easy, like baked ziti. What does VBOT suggest?

Looking for meals, and bonus points for links to a recipe, if difficult to prepare. Thanks :shots:

[Sea Six]

This is unbelievably good.

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/whats-cooking/61250-pasta-carbonara.html

[Sea Six]

This is also good, and just about as easy as it gets.

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/whats-cooking/48374-best-damned-scallop-dish-you-ever-tasted-really-simple-too.html

[Sea Six]

I keep this filed in the fan-damn-tabulous folder.

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/whats-cooking/30748-thread-reserved-need-vettes-curry-recipe.html

[MrPeabody]

Can't go wrong with steaks on the grill. (unless your guests are vegetarian:D)

[ApexOversteer]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/Gen%20II/bluebox-cheesiest1.jpg

For four, make two boxes using butter and half-and-half. For added zing, grill four good sized bratwurst, slice into rounds and add to the Blue Box.

[CORVETTE]

Can't go wrong with steaks on the grill. (unless your guests are vegetarian:D)

One friend is a pro grill master, or something to the effect. No way I want to grill, given that :dance:

[MrPeabody]

One friend is a pro grill master, or something to the effect. No way I want to grill, given that :dance:

Ask him to assist you. Tell him you would like to learn a bit from him. He will probably take it as a compliment. Focus your efforts on a great side dish, salad or dessert.

[Sea Six]

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/497811-post5.html

[73sbVert]

Ask him to assist you. Tell him you would like to learn a bit from him. He will probably take it as a compliment. Focus your efforts on a great side dish, salad or dessert.

^^^ This. :iagree:

[simpleman68]

One friend is a pro grill master, or something to the effect. No way I want to grill, given that :dance:

Then go to the best German deli you can find and get a variety of brats, kielbasa etc and steam some kraut. Serve it with potato salad and maybe some hand foods like olives or marinated artichoke hearts.

Don't forget an excellent mustard.

Simple to grill, fast and delicious.
Scott

[CORVETTE]

Ask him to assist you. Tell him you would like to learn a bit from him. He will probably take it as a compliment. Focus your efforts on a great side dish, salad or dessert.

I have a gas grill, he uses charcoal... I am not worthy... :yesnod:

[lspencer534]

Ask him to assist you. Tell him you would like to learn a bit from him. He will probably take it as a compliment. Focus your efforts on a great side dish, salad or dessert.

Better yet, tell him you're gonna show him what grillin's all about! He just needs to stand back and watch! Then. when he complains that the steraks aren't as good as the ones he cooks, just laugh in his face and tell him he needs to learn how to grill the right way!

[kingpin]

On the other hand maybe his wife is sick of his meat....so maybe something simple like a Chicken or Veal Parm, even on a sandwich with some roasted peppers and onions and a macaroni salad would work well.

[VatorMan]

Chicken Picatta- really easy to make and makes you look like Rico Sauvey.

[CORVETTE]

On the other hand maybe his wife is sick of his meat....so maybe something simple like a Chicken or Veal Parm, even on a sandwich with some roasted peppers and onions and a macaroni salad would work well.

This dinner could get good... Especially w/ Chicken Parm. :leaving:

[MrPeabody]

I have a gas grill, he uses charcoal... I am not worthy... :yesnod:

Gas grill? I can see there's no reason to continue this conversation.:D

[Norm]

I prepare this quite often, for company or just us.

Caesar salad
loaf of Italian bread
crock pot all day in spaghetti sauce, meat balls and country ribs, season
any pasta served with the above
coffee, cake or pie for desert.

[CORVETTE]

Gas grill? I can see there's no reason to continue this conversation.:D

See, I know... :kick:

[Milton Fox]

http://img0.etsystatic.com/009/1/5988459/il_570xN.455030368_ifmb.jpg

[NCC-1701]

Ceviche using shrimp and Tilapia. Easy to make takes half hour to cook in lime juice.

For a salad I would make a caprice salad.

[DukeAllen]

Gas grill? I can see there's no reason to continue this conversation.:D

:iagree: He might as well send out for pizza.

[...Whitepower...]

We are a fan of finger foods aka tappas style foods when we have people over.

Salad
Wings
Taco's
Bacon wrapped shrimp and/or scallops.
Swedish meatballs
Antipasto
Chicken /shrimp/beef skewers/kabobs.
Chips and salsa or guac
Bruschetta

At partys people tend to socialize and move around alot. We just make a whole lot of appetizer type food so people can move around and talk to whomever or watch the game etc. This way they don't feel obligated to sit down at a table for dinner. It just works better. The women can bitch about the men in the kitchen/dining area and the guys can bitch about the women on the deck or watching the game or out in the garage.:D

[NEED-A-VETTE]

I keep this filed in the fan-damn-tabulous folder.

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/whats-cooking/30748-thread-reserved-need-vettes-curry-recipe.html

This is always a hit, especially for those that don't like Indian curry. The great thing about serving this is that it's a one pot meal, aside from the pot you use to make rice. You can make it a bit ahead of time and leave it to simmer, which prevents one from having to be in the kitchen when guests are there. Hell, make it the day before and just throw the pot on the stove to reheat...keeps your kitchen clean for visitors. :D

Also, the leftovers are excellent. It's like chili...it gets better overnight. :dance:

[Fasglas]

Casual? Hmmm...

Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe | Taste of Home (http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/best-shepherd-s-pie)

Serve w/ side salad and fresh bread.

Dessert? No idea.