Dinner party help?

[newtricks]

On Saturday, we are having some of dh's work people over. One of them, the head of his it dept, has had us over twice and both times put on a fabulous indian spread (he and his wife are from india - I know, how lucky are we!) So the constraints/ conditions of this dinner are the following:

1. It has to be flat out yummy and definitely seem like some effort went into it. (but we have three kids running around so it would be nice if it wasn't too labor intensive!)

2. The wife eats no meat - including fish. But she does eat dairy. She doesn't mind if there is meat there but I have to serve enough veg sides that she can make a complete meal.


Thoughts so far:

Apps:

caramelized onion flatbread w/ walnuts and blue cheese (CI)

Need more here! possibly the layered greek dip


Entree:

butterflied leg of lamb on grill
grilled shrimp (also have someone who eats no red meat)
Chimmichuri sauce

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella , basil (all from farmers' market)

Cabbage and corn salad with orange cilantro dressing (that's not the real name but it's a BA recipe)

Assorted grilled peppers/ onions

Need a nice rice or bean recipe here!


Dessert:

Eton Mess - Meringues, berries, whipped cream
something chocolate and bitesized.

[avariell]

In order to save yourself some hassle, I might ditch one of the meats and simply grill some shrimp. I also think your additional app(s) should be make-ahead and super simple or you're gonna go nuts. Maybe a platter of crudite or olives or tapenade or hummus you make ahead.

Maybe simple Cuban style black beans would balance some of the other Latin flavors.

[Sheila in MD]

Do you know if the majority eat lamb? I know that a lot of folks don't (including me so I may well be biased) but I might ditch the lamb for something more mainstream....but that's just me! How about the greek salad bites for an app? I think they are amazingly easy and amazingly tasty and healthy to boot!

Sheila in MD

[newtricks]

Josie - I like the suggestion of cuban beans, I think there's a rice and beans salad floating around too.

I agree about prepping the apps ahead. the flatbread recipe is from the CI Make-ahead book. I think I'll make this dip. It's delicious and goes with rice crackers and crudite.

Edamame Dip
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2008
Prep Time: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time:hr min
Cook Time: hr min
Level: Easy
Serves:about 2 cups

Ingredients
• 12 ounces shelled, cooked, and cooled edamame, about 2 cups, recipe follows
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
• 1 large garlic clove, sliced
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon brown miso
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon red chili paste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Place the edamame, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, miso, salt, chili paste and pepper into the bowl of a food processor and process for 15 seconds. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl and process for another 15 to 20 seconds. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Once all of the oil has been added, stop, scrape down the bowl and then process another 5 to 10 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning, as desired. Serve with chips or crackers. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Basic Edamame:
• 1 pound edamame, fresh or frozen, in or out of shell
• 1/4 cup water
• Kosher salt, optional
Place the edamame and water into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes. Drain any excess water and serve as is or salted.
Yield: 4 servings


Sheila and Josie - Yes, the majority definitely likes lamb and the shrimp is there for those who don't. We always cook two proteins when we entertain so dh is used to it!

[krhm]

I think it looks good, but I'd be inclined to skip the rice or beans and just serve some really good bread on the side. You've got some "saucy" kind of dishes and having some bread to sop up those juices would be good.

Or, perhaps you can make the tomato/mozzarella/basil into bruschetta? It's especially nice when you grill the bread slices, rubbed with a fresh clove of garlic.

[avariell]

Originally Posted by krhm

Or, perhaps you can make the tomato/mozzarella/basil into bruschetta? It's especially nice when you grill the bread slices, rubbed with a fresh clove of garlic.

Ooooo! Serve that as one of your app's and then I think the menu might flow even better. The app's have a Mediterranean feel and the main meal has a little bit of a Latin flair.

[kristalina_22]

I love the idea of the caprese bruschetta, but then I think you need another entree-type item for your vegetarian guest. What about a grilled tofu of some sort? This one looks really good and seems to fit in with the Latin flair you have going on.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives...fu-recipe.html

[Robyn1007]

I'm assisting in a finger foods party on Saturday for my stepmom's 60th birthday so my head has been immersed in finger food thoughts for a couple of weeks. I'm making Red Pepper Mousse in Endive from the below recipe (although I'll use veggie broth). Might be another thought for a veggie app for you.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/s...ipe/index.html

[Canice]

I'm not sure I'm keeping up with the current menu - is this right?

Onion flatbread w/walnuts and blue cheese
Edamame dip

Lamb
Shrimp
Chimmichuri sauce

Insalata caprese

Cabbage and corn salad
Grilled peppers and onions
Cuban beans

Berry dessert
Chocolate dessert

If so, it seems rather a hodge-podge to me, quite frankly. And not all that vegetarian-friendly.
I wouldn't worry about serving lamb for the meat-eaters (Americans are pretty much the only people who won't eat it) but I would want a substantial vegetarian alternative. And maybe a more cohesive theme (i.e., insalata caprese with Cuban beans and edamame dip and cabbage/cilantro salad seem like a lot of competing flavors to me).

What about maybe Greek bites and babaghanoush to start, then the lamb and grilled peppers and onions. Couscous and a chickpea stew. An heirloom tomato and/or cucumber salad.

Just sort of brainstorming here. But I think any one dish should work with any one other dish. And I'd want the vegetarian option to be substantial.

I would stick with a simple berry and/or citrus dessert for something light and bright or in keeping with a Mediterranean theme. Chocolate seems extraneous.

[cherylopal]

I find Ina Gartners advice very helpful- cook maybe two things and throw together the rest. I would do something vegetarian as the main dish along with the shrimp and a show stopper dessert that you can make ahead. Have just a wee bit of appetizers- just some quick nibbles- keep them hungry for dinner!


Let me think some more about a main veggie dish and get back to you.

but so far i'm thinking

Apps:
go with hummus, tapenade, and one cheese along with crudites and some sort of cracker or pita chip
not too much but play up the presentation


Entree:
something vegetarian
grilled shrimp

and what about doing the shrimp on skewers and then also putting some veggies on skewers? the veggie person can also have a skewer- the veggies will taste sooo good grilled

black bean tomato and corn salad
or a corn pudding? seasonal and american and a bit different yet fun
a really good bread- ciabatta??


Dessert:

Eton Mess - Meringues, berries, whipped cream
something chocolate and bitesized- do you have a good bakery nearby or a whole foods? they make great little chocolate desserts

[cherylopal]

for the main veggie dish something like this

tomato goat cheese tart with rosemary crust (from jack bishops a year in a veggie kitchen)

and do the corn, tomato, black bean salad- easy on the tomatoes- highlight the corn and then pass on the corn pudding to keep things simple. still do the veggie skewers.

[newtricks]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've done some tweaking of course. But also just a note about a "theme" for this food. There really isn't any! Except big flavors and possibly herbs. Also, when we go to our friends' house they put on a SPREAD so this menu has more items (and effort) than we would normally do.

Apps:

caramelized onion tart but now with provencal flavors/ olives(made with pizza dough -easy)
edamame dip

Main:

shrimp
chimmichuri sauce

heirloom tomato bruschetta on grilled bread (love this suggestion)

grilled peppers with cheese http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/c...illed-peppers# I got anaheims and some beautiful hot red peppers at the farmers market.

rice / cous cous/ something that will make a nice combo with the peppers

But I'm also loving the corn pudding suggestion! that would be good with grilled peppers, right?

The cabbage salad is out - a green salad might have to go in or maybe a simple cucumber salad

Dessert
Eton mess
bitesized chocolate something (Cheryl, yes, from WF)

[kjaxpink]

Here are a few ideas - sounds like you mainly need side dishes?.

Watermelon and tomato salad:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...sil-salad.html

Corn and Zucchini Salad:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...ini-salad.html

Roasted String Beans with walnuts:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...h-walnuts.html

Artichoke Risotto with Tallegio Cheese:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...io-cheese.html

and the easiest dessert EVER, Raspberry Mess:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...erry-mess.html


Good luck!

[newtricks]

Robyn that red pepper mousse looks good!

[newtricks]

Originally Posted by kjaxpink

Here are a few ideas - sounds like you mainly need side dishes?.

Watermelon and tomato salad:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...sil-salad.html

Corn and Zucchini Salad:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...ini-salad.html

Roasted String Beans with walnuts:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...h-walnuts.html

Artichoke Risotto with Tallegio Cheese:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...io-cheese.html

and the easiest dessert EVER, Raspberry Mess:

http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatim...erry-mess.html


Good luck!

Hi Kjaxpink - Welcome to the BB. Normally I wouldn't click on a link from a new poster (leery of spammers) but I had to see if your raspberry mess is the same thing as my eton mess. It is, that's exactly what I'm serving.

But now you've done it because now I'm thinking about nuts. I like the roasted green beans with walnuts and also on your blog - the corn, feta, walnut salad. (If I did that then I wouldn't put cheese in the peppers)

DH needs to wake up now so we can discuss.

[Canice]

Well, heck, at least you have a lot to work with!

As far as corn pudding goes, just the other day I was thinking maybe I'd finally try Ina Garten's Sagaponack Corn Pudding before the season ends. It's kind of over the top, though. Is she in the pocket of the dairy industry?

[cherylopal]

Originally Posted by Canice

Well, heck, at least you have a lot to work with!

As far as corn pudding goes, just the other day I was thinking maybe I'd finally try Ina Garten's Sagaponack Corn Pudding before the season ends. It's kind of over the top, though. Is she in the pocket of the dairy industry?

That was the corn pudding I was thinking of when I suggested it!! I've thought about making it for DH but yeah- wow- but I'm sure it tastes fantastic!

[newtricks]

Originally Posted by Canice

Well, heck, at least you have a lot to work with!

As far as corn pudding goes, just the other day I was thinking maybe I'd finally try Ina Garten's Sagaponack Corn Pudding before the season ends. It's kind of over the top, though. Is she in the pocket of the dairy industry?

Oh, she is. Absolutely. Have you ever made her spinach gratin? Heavy cream, butter, gruyere cheese. But it's spinach so it's good for you!

This pudding sounds very good - I will cut down on the cheese a little if I use it or I'll do the grilled peppers plain. But they're so good with the melty cheese. Luckily, our indian friends are pro-dairy.

It's time to buckle down!

[cherylopal]

Theres also one from Cl that DH really likes- let me try to find it.

found it! i had also adapted it so i didn't have to use the packaged corn muffin mix but i'm not sure i still have those measurements.

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/re...cipe_id=689931

Corn Fritter Casserole
This moist, sweet-savory side dish is a cross between corn bread and corn pudding. Bake it before the lobsters go in the oven; if you cover it loosely with foil, it should still be warm enough when the lobsters are finished. You can use 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels in place of the canned corn, if you prefer.


3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 large egg whites
1 (8-ounce) block fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole-kernel corn, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8 1/2-ounce) package corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray


Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir in onion, bell pepper, whole-kernel corn, and cream-style corn; mix well. Add muffin mix and black pepper, stirring until well combined. Pour into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Yield: 9 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup)

CALORIES 247 (31% from fat); FAT 8.4g (sat 3.7g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.7g); IRON 1.3mg; CHOLESTEROL 31mg; CALCIUM 72mg; CARBOHYDRATE 36.7g; SODIUM 629mg; PROTEIN 8.6g; FIBER 1.9g

Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2004

[kristalina_22]

I think the menu sounds great (and those peppers are now on my short list of things to try). I do still think you need a vegetarian "entree" of some sort, because it seems like you have a lot of vegetarian appetizer-type dishes but no real veggie main dish.

[newtricks]

OK, here's how it all went down:

Apps:
Edamame dip with rice crackers and sugar snaps
bruschetta with San Marzanos and yellow tomatoes

Entree:

grilled butterflied leg of lamb
roasted shrimp (hurricane Bill forced us to rethink some of the grilling so went with Ina's cooking method)
Chimichurri sauce

Grilled peppers (anaheims and some red peppers that were narrower and spicier) stuffed with cream cheese and sharp cheddar

Sagaponack corn pudding - (without the cheddar because of the peppers)

Heirloom tomatoes / sliced cucumbers

flatbread with caramelized onion

The peppers and the pudding were big winners and a great (though cheesy!) combination that worked as a veg entree. Recipes were requested so that's good. And the lamb eaters loved the lamb . I saw people putting Chimichurri sauce on pudding, tomatoes, everything. Chimichurri is my secret weapon .

Dessert was good - the raspberries, meringue, whipped cream combo. I also bought realy good brownies at the farmers mkt and cut them into tiny squares for the "it's not dessert if there's no chocolate" folks.

Thanks for your help and suggestions and for getting me a little more focussed. The main meal ended up having a pretty cohesive "new american/ farmers mkt" feel to it. Which is not where I started.

[Canice]

Congrats! That's quite a spread to take on!
Any chance of getting the recipe for your "secret weapon" as long as you're sharing?

Question about the corn pudding: I looked over the recipe again after posting and am wondering about the consistency; do the eggs give it a custard-y texture?

[newtricks]

Originally Posted by Canice

Congrats! That's quite a spread to take on!
Any chance of getting the recipe for your "secret weapon" as long as you're sharing?

Question about the corn pudding: I looked over the recipe again after posting and am wondering about the consistency; do the eggs give it a custard-y texture?

Thanks Canice. I don't have a specific recipe but it's something like this:

1/2 cup herbs (last night it was basil, cilantro, thyme - classic chimichurri has parsley but I don't love parsley)
a medium shallot
clove garlic
juice of one lime
salt and pepper

I whir that around in a mini processor and then drizzle in enough olive oil to make it a spoonable sauce consistency. It should be herby, salty, tangy. serving size is a teaspoon or so.

And the corn pudding consistency is not exactly custardy because of the ricotta and cornmeal. It's a little more substantial. One of the things I really liked about it!

[cherylopal]

Congrats!!!

so glad the corn pudding worked!!

and i love chimichurri sauce and second canice with asking to please share!! I tried cooking lights from the Argentinian Flatbread recipe but would love yours- thanks!!

oops just caught your post- not sure how i missed it- thanks for the recipe!!

[Canice]

Great, I have all that (plus parsley) on hand!
And glad to hear about the pudding; I've found that I need to pay closer attention to the egg content in some dishes as I too often get a consistency I don't like - only to realize I should have expected it