"SPOONS" > wrote in message .cable.rogers.com>...
> Hi all,
>
> I was just wondering what are some of your meals that you cook when you have
> guests for dinner. I could use some ideas.
>
> Take care,
> SPOONS

Chicken Saltimbocca
Stuffed Pork Loin
Steak
Roasted Birds of various sorts
Grilled Tuna Steaks
Rack of Lamb
Fajitas
Chicken Cacciatore
Grilled Salmon
Salmon En Papillotte
Pesto Chicken (I use spinach, walnuts, and feta in this pesto)

All of these are fairly easy to make, to the surprise of the guests.

For sides, I usually stick with simple things as well.
Glazed Carrots
Salad Greens with homemade vinagrette
Greek Salad
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Insalata Caprese (tomatoes, basil, and moz)
Stuffed Artichokes, Onions, Mushrooms, and/or cherry peppers
Creamed Spinach
Fried Rice
Spanish Rice
Herbed Pasta
Salsa(s), Bean Dip, and chips

I'm not much of a baker, so desert is usually fruit and cheese or
store bought. In the summer, Apricots stuffed with herbed Mascarpone
(with Rainier Cherries on top) is very simple, and good. Apricot
season just isn't long enough. Once I made a Black Forest Cake for
Christmas, but that was WORK. I'm just starting to work on Ice Creams,
so maybe that is my future desert for guests.

The trick is to have simple things, or things you can do in advance.
Stuffed Cherry peppers can be made days (weeks even, but they wouldn't
last that long at my place) ahead. Salsas and Bean Dip are better the
second day anyway. Fried Rice needs day old rice, so the cooking is
mostly done already. Roasted Birds require only occasion basting and
not a full time cook. Chicken Saltimbocca can be pounded and put
together so you only need to cook them. Pork Loins can be stuffed
earlier in the day, and don't take too long to cook.

Dean G.