I need an easy to make dinner for a party of 10.?

Question

My husband invited some people over for dinner and then his parents called to say that they'd like to come to town to visit. I realize there is some inconsiderate behavior of those involved, but it's not time to gripe!

Besides getting my house clean, getting the spare bedroom made up, and planning and preparing for Easter, I now need to make dinner for a group of 10 (8 adults, 2 children). Any ideas?

I live in the middle of nowhere Nevada, so we don't have any of those pre-made dinner places unless you count deli at the supermarket.

Answer 1

First focus on cleaning up the house as when the guests walk in the door, a clean house will make a great impression. Dont worry about dolling the bedroom up too much, at this time simplicity and bare neccesities will do!

Now, for the meal... When you cook, try to make it look like you've done alot when you actually havent. Instead of cooking the items (chicken etc) in a pot, rather bake them in the oven. This brings out the flavour of the food and doesnt require you to do much. Mixed vegetables are God-sent... use them! Buy the packet from your local supermarket and steam them, it will look like you made such a big effort! Mashed Potatoes are also easy and delicious. For dessert, instead of a cake, throw together a simple strawberry and cream, or a jelly and custard.

If all else fails, but take aways from a restaurant, make it look like your own and burn the cartons!! Good Luck, hope u impress them all!

Answer 2

Easy Dinner For 10

Answer 3

I have an easy and delicious idea. Chicken marsala.

Buy chicken broth premade and heat it in a big sauce pot on high. (For 10 people, you'll need to fill it most of the way)

Get chicken breast and flour it. NO EGG FIRST. Just FLOUR.

Melt some butter in a frying pan. Brown the chicken on both sides BUT don't cook it. Make sure it's still pink in the middle.
then set them aside.

Add a little more butter to the pan and saute some straw mushrooms. (I get them canned and drain the water, for 10 ppl i'd use about 3 cans but it depends on how much you like)

Once the broth is boiling you can add the chicken and the mushrooms and the broth should lower its boiling rate.

After the broth starts boiling again you add the marsala to taste.(you can get it at you local package store or at the supermarket)

Then you just let it boil until the chicken falls apart ( an hour or two)

You can serve it over spaghetti with parmesean cheese and bread/ rolls

Answer 4

You did mention that your supermarket had a deli, right? Where there is a deli there are usually rotisseried chickens! Plan on feeding 4 people per chicken. Whip up some Rice-A-Roni, Chicken Flavored or Pilaf. Put some frozen peas on and add some dinner rolls and you're off and running. For dessert? Purchase a premade frozen apple pie or two and a quart of vanilla ice cream, some caramel sauce and don't forget the wine! And, please do feel free to talk to your husband about the proper etiquette for inviting guests to dinner right before Easter! :)

Answer 5

For a large group make up spaghetti and meatballs with a lettuce salad and french bread. The longer the spaghetti sauce cooks the better it tastes. Get some pre-made meatballs and throw into the sauce the last hour and a half before dinner. The only real last minute thing to do is cook up the spaghetti noodles. Don't forget Parmesan cheese for garnishing at table. You can even make the sauce and meatballs up a few days ahead and keep frozen until you need it.
You are very lucky to have family and friends to join you.

Answer 6

First, living in the middle of nowhere Nevada is no excuse not to get food already made : ) It can get pretty expensive, but you can get a whole clam/lobster bake delivered in 1 day. There are also a lot of other companies that will delivered fully cooked meals off the internet.

But.....................if you insist of cooking make a them meal that can be braised. That way you are not stuck in the kitchen all day and during you meal. You can make a French style meal that is pretty easy. Here are a few easy ideas all of which you can find recipes on the internet.
Starters (Don't make them all these are just some suggestions)
Mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese. It's that simple. You can prepare them a few hours in advance. Season the inside of button mushrooms with salt and pepper. Stuff them with about a 1/2 tsp. of blue cheese. Bake them in the oven for about at 350 until they get lightly brown on top. It takes about 8 - 10 minutes.
Slice and English cucumber spread the top with alouette or any herbed soft cheese and top with a small piece of smoked salmon. If you want to get really fancy you can place a small amount of scallion on top.
Brie in croute with bread. Basically you just wrap a small wheel of brie in puff pastry and bake it according to the package instructions. Again you can dress this up by adding some fresh rasberries inside the puff pastry. This you may be able to buy in your supermarket in the frozen food section, but if not it only take minutes to put together and bake off.
Make a simple green salad with french vinegarette. Nix the tomatoes, oinion and cucumber and substitute it with goat cheese and sliced strawberries.
Potato leek soup. There are a ton of recipes on the internet for this. This can be made ahead of time. A traditional recipe would not call for cream, but it does make a nice touch. If you do make this ahead of time, do not add the cream until you are reheating it.
Dinner
Try making a coc au vin or beef with burgandy. Both take a little bit of prep time, but can be made ahead. Basically they are just fancy stew, so they taste better the next day. Pair this with egg noodles and crusty bread. If your supermarket does not have the best bakery in the world, check the freezer secion. Pepperidge farms is making breads that are pretty good that reheat in minutes.
Dessert
I would highly suggest buying one! They take too much time and good sweets are available and reasonable.
The best part about this dinner is that pairing them with wine is perfectable acceptable with each course. Perhaps you will forget that your inlaws shouldn't be there!

Answer 7

Lasagna is always a good crowd pleaser---kids and adults love it. Throw in a big interesting salad, some garlic bread, let the wine flow, and voila! (or the Italian equivalent of voila!)
Unless you're talking about Easter...this would not be a good Easter dinner. That's a whole 'nother thing. Surely he didn't invite all these people for Easter....
I'd have to simply tell my husband that it's so sad that caterers are as expensive as they are...sniff...
(Plus I saw on another question...you are potty-training a 2-year-old.....Girl, you need to sit your man down and have a heart-to-heart!)

Answer 8

Get some skinless chicken breasts (approx 5). Cut them into two or three pieces. Season with a little seasoning salt, black pepper, and garlic power (you only need just a little).

Add a large can and a small can of cream of mushroom soup.
You can cook it in a pot over the stove or in a crock pot. I suggest a crock pot because you can put it on in the morning and it can cook while you are cleaning. It is done when the meat is tender (can stick it with a fork easily).

This can be served over rice or noodles. I suggest Minute Rice which comes in a pouch and you just boil it.

You can serve with frozen or canned vegetables or a salad and some dinner rolls.

Answer 9

Gonna have to be broiled steaks or pork chops. Give your guests a choice. Baked potatoes white and yams. Vegetable and tossed salad.

It will ***taste*** as tho you have worked all day..

2nd idea would be
Tossed salad
Spaghetti (buy the frozen meatballs)
French bread buttered then toasted under the broiler.. sprinkle some with parmesean cheese and slice it up.

Sew = Good Luck and don't work too hard on this

Answer 10

If I were in your situation this is what I would try and do.First off explain to your husband your hands are already full but you could make a few appetizers and have him go outside and fire up the barbecue and let him cook the main course and you make a few sides.Then the guys could socialize and if these women see your situation with your hands being full then they should lend you a hand while you all socialize.Hope this may help you.Who does not enjoy something great off the barbecue.lol