q for you cooks out there?

Question

need help need an nice and not predictable 3 course meal for the inlaws visiting can cook just stuck for ideas ? any ideas

Answer 1

erm

depends on where to start, you could do a v easy starter and pudding so leave you chance to chat to them
how about?
parma ham wrapped aspapragus with poached egg, the eggs can be poached the night before and reheated in boiling water for 30 seconds, and the asparagus can be balnched and cooked ngiht before and heated with a little butter in the oven or even on a skilet. a v quick starter, if not that, how about soup? with crutons, i.e. french onion soup

mains
chicken is always good
you can make foil parcels and cook chicken breast, creme freiche, a little wine, canneloni beans and baby leeks, each individual pack, takes about hour plus and with little roasted/baked new pots and green veg will impress

pudding
would go for fruit of some description maybe in brandy snap basket, or meringue case
love apple pie etc, but seem heavy after meal

please feel free to contact me with any q's and for recipes if nec

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Pork Loin with Cranberry Sauce

1 boneless pork loin roast, about 4 pounds
Salt & pepper
garlic powder
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1/4 tsp. cloves, optional

Season roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder; place in slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over pork. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Pork should be about 160° on a meat thermometer.

Onion Roasted Potatoes

1 envelope dry Onion Soup Mix
4 medium all-purpose potatoes, cut into large chunks (about 2 lbs.)
1/3 Olive Oil


1. Preheat oven to 425°. In 13 x 9-inch baking or roasting pan, combine all ingredients.

2. Bake, stirring occasionally, 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.


Serve the above with a vegetable of your choice or apple sauce or a nice tossed salad.

Answer 4

What style ?? Any allergies/dislikes?? Any veggies?? Cost??

Try this if relevant:

Perhaps go for a fish terrine starter or similar. Can prepare day before.

Then Chargrilled chicken, stuff with Boursin cheese and wrap in proscuitto (gas mark 6- 35 mins) Serve on a chive & onion risotto and some roasted mediterrannean veg (you know egg plant, peppers, courgettes etc) Make a simple tomato & basil sauce to complement. Garnish with fresh chives

Maybe a cointreau & dark choc mousse for afters, have some cheese and biscuits and port to hand though - always a good finsh to a meal.

Answer 5

baked ditalini with three cheeses

This is fantastic with a side salad! Make two casseroles at the same time and freeze one to bake later - very easy! More Pasta recipes.


1 lb ditalini, uncooked
1 cup skim milk
3/4 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup reduced fat Cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
salt
pepper
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs

Answer 6

You don't say how experienced a cook you are! From choice, I would design a menu that is simple to prepare, and has as little as possible time in the kitchen come the actual dinner party. There's nothing worse than being a host, and spending all your time in the kitchen.

If you want to show off, I would do:
starter: panfried scallops in vermouth and butter, seasoned with fresh dill, served in a scallop shell, and decorated with a fresh herb salad
main: roast haunch of venison, studded with garlic and crushed juniper berries and basted in gin, served with roasted vegetables
desert: home-made chocolate mousse, laced with Drambuie, served in a brandy-snap basket.
A fair amount of prep. before they arrive, but not that much time in the kitchen.

If you want something a little less formal:
starter: mixed antipasti platter, arranged neatly on a large dish, served in the middle of the table, and everyone digs in
main: a stunning Jamie Oliver recipe of marinated pork chops roasted with pears and parsnips (I roast lemons in there, too), served with steamed baby vegetables and baby roast potatoes, covered in garlic and olive oil
desert: chocolate fondu, with fresh fruits
Again, all the prep. is before they arrive...

Best of luck!

Answer 7

STARTER:
Chop up some tomatoes (discard the middle gooey bits) and some red onion really small. Add parsley and lots of black pepper. Mix together with some salt, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then heap onto toasted slices of French bread. Serve.

MAIN:
Cut some sausages (discard skin if poss), fry with red onion, garlic, peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, aubergines, and carrots. Throw in some tinned toms and dried basil. Serve with pasta

DESERT:
Ice cream with exotic fruit, e.g. kiwi, mango, strawberries, starfruit, melon, pineapple, pomegranite. Serve with some wafers.

Good luck!

Answer 8

This is the easiest!!!

First course: Pumpkin soup, go to food network.com and look up Rachel Ray's pumpin soup with cran apple relish. I made it in 15 minutes for Tday and it was as good as any bisque I have ever eaten.

Rack of lamb, of course. Preheat oven to 375, smear the rack all over with garlic butter, press into bread crumbs or finely crushed deep fried pork rinds (no carbs) and drizzle with a mint oil (next to the mint jelly which you will also need to serve with your lamb) and then bake for 30 minutes for rare, 40 minutes for very well done, or somewhere in between if you don't really know how they like their meat. Let the lamb rest for about 5 minutes after you take it out of the oven. Serve it with fresh new potatos in a creamy butter dill sauce and a green veggie.

Make dessert easy, pick up a fruit torte, something light after such a rich meal.

This meal is quick, tasty and impressive!

Answer 9

if you got money, buy a book, 3 course meals would be a good way to go. don't understand "predictable" everythings predictable nowadays.

Answer 10

Italian theme? Everything except the salad (which serves 6) is for 4.

Salad:
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 small garlic clove, minced

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 15 1/2-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup very thinly sliced red onion
1 cup very thinly sliced fresh fennel bulb
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)
2 ounces thinly sliced Italian Genoa salami, cut into strips
1/4 cup sliced pitted Kalamata olives

Whisk oil, vinegar, oregano, and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

Combine lettuce, garbanzo beans, bell pepper, red onion, fennel, feta cheese, salami, and sliced olives in large bowl. Pour dressing over; toss to coat. Mound salad on platter and serve.

Makes 6 servings.

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Side
Orzo with Parmesan and Basil
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
* salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in orzo and saute until lightly browned.
2. Stir in chicken stock and bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes.
3. Mix in Parmesan cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to shallow bowl. Garnish with basil sprigs.

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Main:
Italian Breaded Pork Chops
* 3 eggs, lightly beaten
* 3 tablespoons milk
* 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 tablespoons dried parsley
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
* 4 pork chops
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs and milk. In a separate small bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until lightly browned. Remove garlic, reserving for other uses.
4. Dip each pork chop into the egg mixture, then into the bread crumb mixture, coating evenly. Place coated pork chops in the skillet, and brown abut 5 minutes on each side.
5. Place the skillet and pork chops in the preheated oven, and cook 25 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

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Dessert:
Serve some biscotti with coffee.