NGKUR: Dinner Party

[ironbaby]

My parents just celebrated their 50th Anniversary, and we are throwing them a dinner party. It will just be family, but it works out to 15 people (3 of whom are children). I need help designing a menu that is both easy to create for that many people AND relatively "fancy." We'll be breaking out the fine china and really trying to make this special.

Does anyone have suggestions for meal ideas?

[steveo]

::dirty lurker coming in::

This make-ahead menu has been my go-to for fancy dinner parties for years. Sometimes I add roasted fingerling potatoes in addition to the spinach (roasted at the same time as the beef so that there's no additional work).

The best part is you can most of ahead according to their schedule, so you can actually spend time with your guests. And the other best part is the beef is amazing.

GL!

[flojo973]

Cornish game hens look fancy and they're super easy to make. And kid-friendly in my opinion since it tastes similar to chicken.

[mrsjene]

Are there people with dietary restrictions?

#juststirringshitup

[PepperPottsJ]

Aug 27, 2015 13:29:35 GMT -5 mrsjene said:

Are there people with dietary restrictions?

#juststirringshitup

+1 my suggestion isn't going to be super dietary restriction friendly

[rablissful]

A roast of any kind is impressive but easy. I'd go lamb since it's delicious and I always think it's extra fancy since we don't eat it much.

Add potatoes and onions around the meat and you've got two dishes in one!

[ironbaby]

Aug 27, 2015 14:16:07 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

Aug 27, 2015 13:29:35 GMT -5 mrsjene said:

Are there people with dietary restrictions?

#juststirringshitup

+1 my suggestion isn't going to be super dietary restriction friendly

No restrictions. A few picky eaters, but nothing is just plain not allowed.

[shadesofgold]

Before dinner snacks for the table: Stuffed mushroom caps, cheese plate and/or asparagus wrapped in prosciutto

Main: Pork tenderloin or lamb with roasted veggies and fancy spinach salad. (But whatever you make, just be sure you know how to cook it. If you're trying something new, do a trial run the week before. There is nothing more depressing than nice cut of meat that is ruined in preparation.)

Dessert: I'd go with a layer cake or lava cakes - I've always wanted to try these Salted Caramel Lava Cakes. The batter can be made and refrigerated in advance, then go from the oven to the table.

[ohinvrtedworld]

I wanted to throw in there that I love making creme brulee as a fancy dessert! It's definitely easier with the torch but you can also put them in the oven and then turn on the high broiler. Very few ingredients and all can be done a day in advance except actually melting the sugar crust

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/creme-brulee-recipe.html

[requiressnacks]

Anytime I am having a "fancy" dinner I make beef tenderloin as the main. Then, depending on your guests taste you could do roasted brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. And/or make ahead mac & cheese. If there aren't any obvious dietary restrictions, I would go traditional comfort food all the way.

Good luck!

[mikaela20]

I'm a big fish eater so when I want a nice dinner I usually buy a whole fresh wild salamon- I get them to clean it and filet it. Bake it skin down and season the flesh with sliced lemons,fresh dill, olive oil and glazed it with pure maple syrup . For sides i do baked mini roasted red potatoes ( seasoned with fresh dill,olive oil, salt pepper) and steamed esparagus tossed in butter and sliced almonds. I served it on a huge white serving dish, the colours look amazing and it always impresses.

Edited - *not roasted, steamed veg

[shadesofgold]

Aug 27, 2015 15:06:05 GMT -5 ohinvrtedworld said:

I wanted to throw in there that I love making creme brulee as a fancy dessert! It's definitely easier with the torch but you can also put them in the oven and then turn on the high broiler. Very few ingredients and all can be done a day in advance except actually melting the sugar crust

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/creme-brulee-recipe.html

I've used the broiler method and it came out beautifully! 

[Deleted]

If you want a fancy dessert you should make a pavlova. They're a hell of a lot easier to make than they seem, so don't write it off immediately. And you can use canned whipped cream/cool whip instead of making your own to make it that much easier. And choose whatever fruit/toppings you want.

How can you say no to something that looks this delicious?!

[jubilantsquirrel]

Aug 27, 2015 20:27:30 GMT -5 @led said:

If you want a fancy dessert you should make a pavlova. They're a hell of a lot easier to make than they seem, so don't write it off immediately. And you can use canned whipped cream/cool whip instead of making your own to make it that much easier. And choose whatever fruit/toppings you want.

How can you say no to something that looks this delicious?!

Omg. Salivating.

[Andrea]

PIZZA ROLLS, BAGEL BITES & TAQUITOS!

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

Me. Eat me.

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

Broccoli is fancy as FUCK.

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2015 21:51:26 GMT -5 ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪ said:

Broccoli is fancy as FUCK.

So fancy.

[Girlymama79]

Saving all these ideas. I plan to make them next week. Just like my 6,000 Pinterest pins I plan to do/make

[ironbaby]

Andrea and ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪,

[Andrea]

[Andrea]

Trader Jose's bruschetta, some shaved Parmesan & basil slivers. #fancy