Comfort Food Help

[MISSINDI]

Planning a dinner party and really struggling with the menu. Have decided to go with ribs and crab cakes for a main course, a salad for appetizer, and dulce de leche brownies and amy-oes for dessert. What screams "comfort food side dish" to you that is impressive as much as is easy (tried-and-true preferred)? Macaroni and cheese is out (one of the guest is a little lactose intolerant). Also, comfort food starter (before sitting down to dinner)? Help!

[kimmer99]

Garlic mashed potatoes scream comfort to me - you can use chicken broth instead of milk if need be.

Comfort food starters - okay - don't scream - pigs in a blanket :D.

Or you could try Bourbon Dogs - these are a big hit, oh and I usually do them in a crockpot and let them simmer a lot longer than the 25 minutes indicated in the recipe:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Bourbon Dogs

Recipe By : Kim
Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :30:00
Categories : Appetizers Need To Make Healthy
Kim's Favorites

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
50 each hillshire farms little links
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon onion -- chopped
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Water
1 pint Barbecue Sauce
3/4 cup Bourbon

- combine ingredients
- heat 25 minutes in saucepan or oven at 300

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[newcook]

I don't know if this would be too heavy for you, but I've made it several times now and it got rave reviews.

Here is the link to the recipe

Barley and artichokes with chickpeas (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36329&highlight=barley+artichoke)

[MISSINDI]

:D DH would love pigs-in-a-blanket, but the people coming are foodies, and not sure if I can get away with that (in my own mind), you know?

The barley recipe sounds yummy, but dh doth protest on all things barley. I am printing it out to make for me another time though -- thanks for the recipe. :)

Party is Saturday. Never had so much trouble planning a menu before. I think it mostly stems from the fact that they are really into food, cooking, etc. Those that aren't as much are more easily impressed, you know?

[NewMrsG]

I was going to say mashed potatoes too! You could make it "foodie-er" by making them with roasted garlic, or sauteed mushrooms, and/or drizzling with truffle oil if you wanted -

[kimmer99]

Originally posted by MISSINDI
:D DH would love pigs-in-a-blanket, but the people coming are foodies, and not sure if I can get away with that (in my own mind), you know?
Totally - it's funny even suggesting it. Okay but what about the Barefoot Contessa's version? She grills lamb sausage (but any sausage would do) and wraps them in puff pastry? Sort of a grown up version. I think I have the recipe downstairs if you're interested, I can post it after my WW meeting.

BTW - love the drizzled truffle oil idea.

[MISSINDI]

Found a recipe for Salt-Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with Bay Leaves. What do you think about that with Roasted Carrots? I love the idea of tricked-up Mashed Potatoes, but I know dh won't eat them, and am afraid of having too much of it leftover (not knowing if they eat them) -- 'cause then I'll eat them! :D

[kimmer99]

The Yukon Gold potatoes sound good. After mashed, roasted is my next favorite - hmmm...roasted carrots - perhaps a drizzel of some browned balsamic butter to jazz them up - or would that be too sweet?

[Grace]

I vote for Potatoes Anna. No milk or cheese, but really rich and delicious! People rave whenever I make it (and it's easy to boot).

[bobmark226]

Originally posted by kimmer99
Totally - it's funny even suggesting it. Okay but what about the Barefoot Contessa's version? She grills lamb sausage (but any sausage would do) and wraps them in puff pastry? Sort of a grown up version.

Let's not forget the "Hawgs in a Sleeping Bag" Mizz Paula made this past weekend. :rolleyes:

Bob

[HDgirl]

Originally posted by bobmark226


Let's not forget the "Hawgs in a Sleeping Bag" Mizz Paula made this past weekend. :rolleyes: Bob


Can't look away, Bob? :D

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by HDgirl

Can't look away, Bob? :D

You know how boys always pull the pigtails of little girls they secretly like in grade school... me thinks if Bob batted for the other team, Paula just might be on his Top 10 list. ;) Hey, if nothing else, he'd be pretty well fed. :D

[bobmark226]

Originally posted by HDgirl
Can't look away, Bob? :D

I can't resist the Saturday morning double whammy of back-to-back Paula and Sondra Lee. Besides, she had the boys on. :)

MISS I, you like those mashed potato samosas, right? You could make them using mini-pitas (which is the way I do them), cutting them into quarters or thirds, piling them on a big plate with cherry tomatoes, etc.

Bob

[rosie_one]

Hmmm... comfort food appetizer, no dairy.

How about little tartlets? Carmelized onion filling? Or little mini quiches?

Deviled eggs are marvelous if made well too. This recipe, for example, sounds very good, though I haven't tried it.
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/special/2000/egg/deviled.html I like the idea of serving it with antipasto too.

Edited to add this link, which doesn't have dairy in it. doh, sorry.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_2926,00.html