Need Help w/ Holiday Dinner Ideas!!!

[Kristi]

I am hosting a holiday dinner party and need some ideas for the menu. There will be eight people attending, and I would like to serve something which could be made in advance (not something which would need to be served immediately) so there would be plenty of time for appetizers/cocktails... I realize this is rather vague, but so are my ideas at this point. Any ideas/input would be helpful!

[emilycat]

I don't even do roasts (I usually eat only fish), but have you though about roasting a chicken or pork loin? The marinating should take some time, and then the aromas from the oven should be delicious...you could just stick it in the oven before the party and it would be done when you needed it. Was it this past issue (Oct.) that had a bunch of roast recipes? Have fun! I'm so envious...I have a one bedroom apartment, and so dinner parties aren't exactly feasible. I can't wait until I have the room!

[mightyh]

Tenderloins (beef or pork) are a great idea. So easy (you can literally just put them in the over after marinating) and they taste and look so good--even better if you've stuffed them with something which usually isn't all that difficult. There's a great recipe for beef tenderloin in the Make It Ahead supplement. Also a few threads recently about pork tenderloin ideas. They'd be very upscale... If you were looking for something less fancy, maybe think about something like lasagna or quiche (which can almost be served at room temp).

[This message has been edited by mightyh (edited 10-30-2000).]

[Gail]

Gotten your November issue yet? There are several interesting recipes for do-ahead entrées. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[emilycat]

Gail's post just reminded me of this, but do you have the make-ahead supplement yet? It has some delicious looking recipes, and I think all of them can be made at least several hours, if not months, in advance. It seems right up your alley.

[venus]

I love the roast idea. You can marinate it overnight and then roast it that day. A beef tenderloin or prime rib roast is very festive and delicious. I just did a search for beef tenderloin and found sixteen threads.

If you have a big oven you can roast potatoes and/or vegetables at the same time as the roast, so they will take very little effort. You can also make a salad ahead and cut fragile things like tomatoes for it at the last minute.

[Kristi]

Thanks for all the feedback! I typically cook vegetarian or chicken dishes, so a roast would really make me branch out and try something new. I think the men in this crowd would be happy with some substantial meat. I haven't seen the make-ahead supplement on newsstands yet, but I'm now planning to buy it! Can't wait...