Need dinner idea - IL's coming this weekend

[mgs]

They aren't super foodies or picky at all. I just am out of ideas. I need something pretty easy to throw together. I have a toddler. Also my MIL won't help.

I just can't seem to think of anything that excites me. I don't really feel like pasta.

Anyone have a nice, simple entertaining menu to share?

Thanks

[misskitty100]

This is a delicious recipe and very easy to put together.

Chicken Marbella

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 chickens -- 2 1/2 pounds each,
quartered
1 head garlic -- peeled and finely
pureed
1/4 cup dried oregano
coarse salt and freshly ground black
pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vineagar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander -- finely chopped
(cilantro)

1. In a large bowl combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to tase, vineagar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large shallow baking pans and spoon marinade over it evenly. Sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them.

4. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice.
5. With a slotted spoon transfer chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter. Moisten with a few spoonfuls of pan juices and sprinkle generously with parsley or cilantro. Pass remaining pany juices in a sauceboat.

6. To serve Chicken Marbella cold, cool to room temperature in cooking juices before transferring to a serving platter. If chicken has been covered and refrigerated, allow it to return to room temperature before serving. Spoon some of the reserved juice over the chicken.

16 pieces, 10 servings or more
From The Silver Palate Cookbook


Serve it with some rice and a green salad.

[mightyh]

Too funny! As I read the first post, I was thinking of Chicken Marbella, too! It took me the longest time to decide to make it the first time cause the ingredient combination seemed strange to me, but now I love it. It's simple and easy and delicious and appeals to all sorts of folks.

Two votes for Chicken Marbella!!

[mgs]

Wow 2 votes?
This recipe seems very interesting to me. I just have to try to get to the store b/f they arrive to get the ingredients. Hum, would someone call social services if I went while DS took his nap??

J/K

I think this is a wonderful idea, thank you.

Meg

[SheRa]

i don't know if you're looking for more options or not, but this one ALWAYS turns out great!

Balsamic Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Covelli Family Recipe

pork tenderloin
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
salt
black pepper

Mix marinade ingredients in freezer bag. Add pork and marinate at least 2 hours (the longer the better) in the refrigerator. Turn the bag halfway through.

Pour marinade and pork into baking dish. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, keeping covered for the first 20 minutes.

Remove pork and let rest before slicing into medallions. Pour a little sauce over top and serve the rest in a gravy boat on the side.

Notes:
Double for more than one loin - extra juice is always good!

MacGourmet Rating: 5 Stars

[mgs]

wait now, SheRa, that seems even easier, as I can get the ingredients later tonight and don't have to marinate overnight.

It sounds wonderful, too.

What side dishes? Maybe just a green salad as well?

Hummm