What's your killer entertaining menu?

Question

New house and everyone wants to visit (must be the draw of free food). I'm usually full of ideas and my cooking is awesome (move over Flay), but I am absolutely out of ideas and creativity. What's your go-to menu for entertaining family and friends?

Answer 1

Hoenstly, when we have a large amount of people coming over we grill! Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, steaks, ribs, and we always have duck breasts wrapped with cream cheese and bacon then grilled-yum! Throw on some corn and other veggies to grill and you are ready to go! (Can you tell our best friend own a meat market-haha!) Anyway, it's always fun and the guys get to try to outdo each other in the grilling department, while the ladies get to sip wine or margaritas and enjoy themselves!
Also, for a housewarming, what better way to bring attention to your yard and garden/flowers than to have people outdoors! They will see all of the inside and outside of your home!
Congrats on the new home! Enjoy it!

Answer 2

I go with stuff I can prepare ahead of time and just pop in the oven... usually enchilada casserole (everything you'd put in enchiladas, except layered in a casserole w/ cheese and sauce in each layer) because it's always a crowd-pleaser, pasta salad (which is always better the day after!), and depending on the guest list, cheesecake--it's my specialty, lol.

Here's the recipe for the casserole:
3 chicken breasts, broiled and shredded (this is the longest step!)
1 can of corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can chopped green chiles, drained
2-15 oz cans green enchilada sauce or 1 29-oz can
1 4-cup package of shredded Mexican blend cheese
18 corn tortillas

Preheat oven to 350F

In a 13x9 pan, place a few tablespoons of sauce and spread around the bottom of the pan. Lay approximately 4 /12 tortillas, cutting in half when necessary, over the sauce. Layer with 1/3 of the chicken, 1/3 of the corn, 1/3 of the beans, 1/3 of the green chiles, 1 cup of the cheese and 1/3 of the sauce, topping with 4 1/2 more tortillas. Press down the layer as hard as you can, then repeat two more times. You should have some sauce left over; spread this on top of the last layer of tortillas and top with the remaining cup of cheese.

Bake in 350F oven for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve w/ salad and/or the typical Mexican restaurant accompaniments.

Make-ahead directions: once assembled, cover with shiny-side-down aluminum foil that's been sprayed with cooking spray and refrigerate--it should keep up to 3 days. Bake in 350F oven approximately 30-40 minutes, removing the foil after the first 20 minutes of baking.

Answer 3

I find the go to favorite is my smoky lasagne. it's easy and can be made ahead or quickly depending on my schedule. You can make a chunky vegetable tomato sauce from scratch and freeze it way in advance or make it fresh or use bottled sauce. The key is using smoked mozzarella, gouda and parmesan to give it the smoky flavor. i love lots of fresh basil in the ricotta mixture. a simple salad with balsamic vinaigrette and really garlicky garlic bread and everyone is happy.

i also go for taco night all the time. get the fixins, lay it out buffet style, and cook up some meat or veggies or both. guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, onion, lettuce, etc.

the easiest ever is taking hot pasta, mixing it with ricotta cheese, a bit of the pasta water, salt, pepper, fresh herbs and lemon juice. easy light delish alfredo - takes 2 minutes. serve with roasted crispy asparagus or other green veg.

or buy pizza dough and stop at the salad bar for toppings. yum. can be made to order and takes 10 min to cook.

and don't forget the wonder of ordering in some nights. everyone loves a good take out dinner from a great restaurant, pizza place or chinese delivery now and then. :)

Answer 4

Chili. Its fast and easy on the check book. I also put out cheese and sausage with crackers and dip and chips ( spinach, taco, salsa), veggies with dill dip. I also like to have shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced peppers for toppers for the chili. Brownies and cookies are a good dessert choice
( you could do cupcakes if you have time ) and coffee, lemonade and diet/regular soda ( I like to have a variety so if someone is a diabetic they have something to drink).

Answer 5

I've got so many favorite menus that I wouldn't know where to start! Which is why I have now created my own website with the menus and recipes:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/index.html

Answer 6

Anything from the BBQ
:-q
.

Answer 7

There are tons of suggestions at
http://www.real-restaurant-recipes.com/holiday-menu.html
Click it and be happy.
:-)