I need a good recipe!

[keri1113]

:wavesmile: I am having company over this weekend and I need a good recipe! I'm not the best cook...but I would like to try to make something nice...and that doesn't taste like a cooked a tire or dirt :sick012: !! Any suggestions? Got any signature dish recipes that always get the "WOW! That was great" review??

By the way, its a guy so I guess it can't be really "girly".

I have a little grill so I thought about grilling something...I just have no idea. I'm used to just cooking for me. I also don't want to give him food poisioning!! HaHa!! So all you cooks help me out! :hug2:

[Camilla]

Do you have a slow cooker? IF so I can help you out with simple and delicious. If not, I can still help with something simple, but would first like to know what your desire is as far as main course?! Chicken? FisH? Beef? Turkey?

[keri1113]

Yes I have a slow cooker...Its a single girls best friend!! I can't cook fish so anything else would work!!

[zoeysmom]

You want fancy? You want "down home" You want sides/dessert or just main? You on a pretty tight budget - or is this a 'splurge' type event?

Give us some hints and we'll put our thinking caps on:D

[keri1113]

You want fancy? You want "down home" You want sides/dessert or just main? You on a pretty tight budget - or is this a 'splurge' type event?

Give us some hints and we'll put our thinking caps on:D

I don't want to spend a hundred dollars or anything that fancy. I didn't even think about sides or a dessert! :faint: Ok, I guess I need more help than I thought! I am only used to cooking for myself so I don't want something that has 50 ingredients. I don't want it to look like I spent the whole day cooking even thought I probably will :Sun2:

[Ruthi]

Will it just be the two of you or more? How big is your little grill? I do things fast and easy. If it's just the two of you and your grill is big enough,get two good steaks, some seasoning, two bakers,and a nice salad. The bakers you can put in the microwave,big 6 minutes or small 4,grease them, wrap in foil and put on grill with steaks. Salads you can buy already cleaned and mixed they way you like. Fast and easy. Gives you time for each other.

[Jenn]

Like I always say you can not go wrong with spaghetti!! Actually i either use vermacelli, linguini or rotini for different texture. I use Ragu Chunky Garden Style with mushrooms and green peppers, mix it in with a pound of browned hamburger meat and throw in a little bit of italian seasonings, serve with a salad and a garlic loaf. U can never go wrong with it. I also offer shredded mozzarella and chedder cheese b/c everyone is different and fresh grated parmesean. Typing all of this has made my stomach growl. Good Luck!

[stacicakes]

This is easy.....Buy a pork loin cut into 1 1/2- 2 inch chops. Slice a pocket in each. Prepare stovetop stuffing (for pork) do not cook, just mix. Add chopped apple and craisins to stuffing. Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Stuff chops with stuffing. Put a wooden toothpick in each to hold stuffing in. Season top of chop with a little dryed or fresh rosemary. Cover baking dish with foil and bake approx 45 min. at 350. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 min. Serve with your favorite vegetable and a salad. I like asparagus or stringbeans with pork.:Sun2:

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I do spaghetti a lot, but why not go with steaks, baked potatoe and a salad--can't get easier than that-can't mess it up. I would get a good marinate and marinate steaks the night before. Chop up green onions and put into sour cream for potatoe. If you can't affort steak get porkchops and do the potatoe and salad.:D
P.S Stacicakes love your porkchops.

[zoeysmom]

Salad.

I'd get some salad mix that's ready to go from the store - add some croutons and your favorite dressing ....or to kick it up a notch

get the spring salad mix and buy(easier) or make (cheaper) a vinaigrette. Toss in some come dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and either blue cheese or crumbled goat cheese.

Main
I'd go for pork loin or tenderloin. (just buy and use a meat thermometer to tell you when it's done. You pull the meat a few degrees before it's "done" and let it rest. That keeps the juices in the meat and it finishes cooking without getting overdone)

Pork Tenderloin with Bell Pepper Marmalade http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c26/kam1204/porktenderloin.jpg

For the pork:
1 (3-pound) pork tenderloin
2 Tbs grapeseed oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup Irvine Spices Roasted Garlic Pepper
For the marmalade: (can be done several days ahead)
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup red wine
2 Tbs hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1/2 cup cranberry sauce



1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2 In a large saute pan, heat the 2 tablespoons of the grapeseed oil and sear the pork loin on all sides. Transfer pork to a roasting pan and rub with roasted garlic pepper seasoning. Slowly roast in the oven until fork tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Allow pork loin to rest for 8 to 10 minutes before slicing.
3 While the pork is in the oven, begin the marmalade. In a hot skillet, heat the onions, red peppers and orange peppers (heat them dry with no oil) for about 3 minutes. The idea is to remove the liquid from the onions, by "sweating them down." Add the honey, vinegar, wine, hot sauce and cranberry sauce, and stir well. Reduce over medium-low heat until there is no liquid left in the pan and marmalade mixture is tacky.

A bit fancier is a pork roulade - It is NOT hard and you don't have to cut a 'swirl' you can cut a "Y"
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c26/kam1204/porkroul.jpg
If you want to try that let me know and I'll send recipe/directions

Sides
Garlic mashed potatoes (can be done earlier and reheated)
Polenta (can be done earlier and reheated)

Grilled zucchini/yellow squash/asparagus

Dessert
Fresh fruit/cheese plate

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

How about Weiner Schnitzel? I have an EASY recipe that ALWAYS gets rave reviews if you are interested. Let me know!:goodluck:

[MicheleS]

I always make "Rice-aRoni" surprise when I want something people-pleasing, fast and easy. You can use any meat (chicken, pork, beef, sausage, etc) and any flavor Rice-a-Roni. Cut into bite-size pieces and brown the meat in the bottom of the skillet and remove. Cook the Rice-a-Roni according to package directions, but add about 1/2 cup more water than called for. When about 5 minutes of cook time remain, throw in a bag of frozen mixed veggies (again, any kind). Put the meat back in, let simmer a while longer and ..... there you go! You have a complete meal, meat, veggies and rice, AND you only used one cooking pot to cook it in!!

[Camilla]

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (EASY and incredibly delicious)

4 Chicken breasts - skinless and boneless
1 bottle high-end BBQ Sauce - and by high end I don't mean super expensive, just the better, darker stuff. I love Cattleman's which isn't that expensive and it tastes great - just avoid the thin stuff like Kraft.
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 clove garlic (minced or crushed)
optional: 2 slices bacon to give that smokey flavoring

Mix ingredients in the slow cooker - add chicken and mix them to cover in sauce. Cook on high for about six or so hours. Shred w/ fork when completely cooked through. Then mix shredded chicken in the sauce and turn to LOW. The shreds will absorb the rest of the sauce. Taste...if it needs more sugar, add another 1/4 cup brown sugar....if it needs more zing, add another teaspoon vinegar and some salt....just see what you think it needs!

Serve over rice or in big crusty round rolls! Serve with a salad, and perhaps some corn or potatoes as a side dish. I always serve for myself on rice since I eat no bread, but you can do anything you want. It tastes like pulled pork without the pork! :)

Another idea - beef stew in the slow cooker. I also have a great recipe for that if you want it. Let me know! :D

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

I get emails each day with recipes and if you want chicken, I thought these looked good.

Crock Pot Mexican Chicken


4 frozen boneless chicken breast halves
2 cans Green Giant Niblets corn, undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jar chunky salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro, to taste
1 cup low fat sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

Lightly spray crock with nonstick cooking spray. Put corn in bottom of
crock pot.

Place chicken on top of corn. Sprinkle chicken with taco seasoning.

Pour in salsa. Pour beans over salsa.

Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.

Remove chicken pieces and dice. Return to crock pot and add cilantro.

Preheat oven to 400º F.

Before serving transfer mixture to an oven proof serving dish and top with cheese.

Put dish in oven to melt cheese.




Good Season's Crock Pot Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts
1/4 c white wine
1 pkg Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix

Brown chicken breasts in skillet. Place chicken in crock pot. sprinkle dressing mix over chicken. Add wine. Cover and cook on high setting for about 4 hours.


Crockpot Italian Chicken and Potatoes

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix basil, oregano,
crushed red pepper and garlic powder to equal same)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
4 potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

Place chicken in bottom of crockpot. Sprinkle with half of the Italian dressing,
spices and the grated cheese. Put the potatoes on top or around the chicken.
Sprinkle with the rest of the dressing, spices and cheese. Cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or until the chicken and potatoes are tender.



http://slow-cooker-recipes.blogspot.com/

[stacicakes]

All these yummy recipes I'm getting hungry!:Sun2:

Irma.....I made those pork chops the other day....they were yummy! My hubby bought a whole pork tenderloin last month, I cut in to 5 roasts and put them in the freezer. I keep trying to find new ways to serve the pork each week so we don't get bored. This was this week selection.:Sun2:

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Staci cakes if you can sent that recipe to my PM I will try to print it. I made stuffed pork chops with italian stuffing a long time ago and just loved them.

[teenieweenieran]

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (EASY and incredibly delicious)

4 Chicken breasts - skinless and boneless
1 bottle high-end BBQ Sauce - and by high end I don't mean super expensive, just the better, darker stuff. I love Cattleman's which isn't that expensive and it tastes great - just avoid the thin stuff like Kraft.
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 clove garlic (minced or crushed)
optional: 2 slices bacon to give that smokey flavoring

Mix ingredients in the slow cooker - add chicken and mix them to cover in sauce. Cook on high for about six or so hours. Shred w/ fork when completely cooked through. Then mix shredded chicken in the sauce and turn to LOW. The shreds will absorb the rest of the sauce. Taste...if it needs more sugar, add another 1/4 cup brown sugar....if it needs more zing, add another teaspoon vinegar and some salt....just see what you think it needs!

Serve over rice or in big crusty round rolls! Serve with a salad, and perhaps some corn or potatoes as a side dish. I always serve for myself on rice since I eat no bread, but you can do anything you want. It tastes like pulled pork without the pork! :)

Another idea - beef stew in the slow cooker. I also have a great recipe for that if you want it. Let me know! :D

I might have to buy a slow cooker just to try this!!!

[andy&abby]

Boy, you have tons of good recipes to choose from. They all sound yummy.

[red&black]

I love to make this lasagna.
It's not the fastest thing in the world to make, but it's pretty darn hard to screw it up. And I've never fed it to a person - man nor woman - that didn't like it. :)

I've found it's convenient to make the sauce a day ahead (just warm it to room temp when making the lasagna - makes spreading easier).

INGREDIENTS
1 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 pound sausage (I like regular breakfast sausage - I tried Italian - didn't like it.)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
12 dry lasagna noodles
2 eggs, beaten
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, pork, onion and garlic; drain fat. Mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels, and blot dry.
In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt.
Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

[3doxies]

Kari shared an easy way to fix stir fry. We've had some variation every week since then. :)

1/2 lb frozen cooked shrimp (small to medium in size)
1 pkg frozen stir fry veggies (There are several varieties to choose from.)
1/3 to 1/2 cup La Choy teriyaki stir fry sauce
1 package of rice (2 - 4 servings) or approx. 1/3 lb. cooked wheat spaghetti noodles, prepared according to package directions.

Use large skillet or wok. Cook frozen shrimp in approx. 2 T. olive oil until thawed. Drain excess water. Add frozen veggies and stir fry until thawed. Add stir fry sauce. Stir in desired amount of rice or noodles. Heat through and serve.

Note: Strips of boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used instead of shrimp. Cook chicken in olive oil until done. Then stir in veggies, etc. as described above.

This serves 2 - 3 people.

[Heidismom]

How about washing and piercing enough baking-sized potatoes to serve you both, heating a can or two of green beans with some bacon drippings (about a teaspoon to a tablespoonful) and some garlic salt - about 1/2 teaspoonful - more if you both like it. Then for the entree, how about meat loaf - I know, I know, but all my friends and some acquantainces love this recipe:
Meat Loaf with Sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup Quick Quaker oats
1/4 cup onion
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 beaten egg (or the equivalent of Egg Beaters)
3/4 cup milk (whole, 2%, nonfat - whatever you normally use)

Sauce
1/3 cup catsup
2 Tablespoons brown sugar (or Splenda brown sugar)
1 Tablespoon mustard

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place potatoes in oven, and begin baking as you mix meatloaf. Combine all ingredients; mix thoroughly. Pack into loaf pan, or 8" round pan. Mix sauce in a cup or bowl and pour over the top of the meat loaf. Bake one hour. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing, and then remove potatoes from oven.

If you serve a basic salad, the green beans, potatoes, and meat loaf, you can always do some lemon pudding or lime sherbet for dessert - easy! Good luck whichever one you choose - some pretty good looking recipes above!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Karen love the stir fry.

[smilee1079]

I have an excellent recipe for sherried chicken. My bf's mom made it once and I loved it. She said it is something to cook that tastes high class but is easy. Serve it over rice.

I have made it and really, it is easy :).

Sherried Chicken
3-4 chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ pt. sour cream
½ cup dry sherry (cooking wine)
paprika
1 can mushroom stems and pieces (optional)
2. Combine soup, sour cream, and wine.
3. Pour over chicken.
4. Sprinkle with paprika.
5. Bake 1.5 hours at 350° uncovered.
6. Pour mushrooms over chicken during the last 20 minutes.

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

Penne Pasta with Tomato Vodka Sauce

1 pound Penne pasta
One quarter cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 15-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
One half pound Canadian bacon or smoked ham, diced
One half tsp. crushed red pepper
2 cups frozen peas
1 cup heavy cream or half and half
One half cup vodka
One half cup Romano cheese, grated

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until just golden brown. Add tomatoes, Canadian bacon, crushed red pepper and peas and cook for about 5 minutes. Add cream and vodka and cook an additional 5 minutes. Meanwhile boil pasta until cooked al dente and drain. Serve sauce over pasta and sprinkle with Romano cheese.

The Skinny: Use evaporated milk or low fat half and half instead of cream. We are not aware of a substitute for vodka. If you cannot have any alcohol, just leave out the vodka.

Arugula Salad

6 cups washed arugula or mixed greens
1 fresh yellow pepper, thinly sliced
One half cup fresh mushroom, sliced
One quarter cup green onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. sugar
One half tsp. dry mustard
Salt and pepper

Place washed arugula, yellow pepper, mushrooms and green onions in a large bowl and toss. Combine remaining ingredients in a cruet and shake well. Pour over salad and toss. Make the dressing a few hours ahead of time to allow the flavors to blend.

[keri1113]

One half cup vodka



VODKA? I can just drink the rest of the bottle since it only uses 1/2 cup...Don't want to be wasteful! LOL!

[stacicakes]

Keri if you let your dinner guest drink with you it really won't matter what you're cooking .....you both will never remember if you ate or not and if it was any good or not :D . This could be a plan!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[TDR11114]

Well, if you decide not to grill, but bake instead:
First, take a whole chicken and boil it in a pot of water on the stove until the chicken is totally done, and coming off of the bone.
Take it out of the water, and set it to the side for cooling.
Next, in a 13x 9 pyrex dish, or metal baking dish, put a layer of frozen broccoli. and then take the chicken off of the bones, and layer what you want off of the chicken on top of the broccoli. Next, spread shredded cheddar cheese on top of that, and then take 1 can of cream of mushroom and heat it on top of the stove with about a cup of the strained leftover chicken broth, mixing well, and then pouring over cheese, chicken and broccoli. Heat in the Oven on 350 degrees, till its all melted and done.
Do you some Garlic bread with it, or eat it over white rice!
Enjoy!

[keri1113]

Keri if you let your dinner guest drink with you it really won't matter what you're cooking .....you both will never remember if you ate or not and if it was any good or not :D . This could be a plan!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

THATS A GREAT PLAN! The way I cook that might be a good idea. LOL! :sofunny: :sofunny:

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

When is the last time you heard a drunk person complain about food?? NEVER!

AHAHHAA!! Good plan!

[Lambygyrl]

My 2 cents.....very very very easy....

If you have a grill... suggest boneless chicken breasts -- marinade them in Italian dressing for a few hours and then put them on the grill. OR if you are afraid you might undercook/overcook them,

Bake then in the oven at 375 for about 30-35 min., and then later on you can put them on the grill for the charcoal-flavor-grilled taste.

Then baked potato with butter, sour cream, etc., a salad and some garlic bread.

For dessert...most guys LOVE chocolate chip cookies and you can make them the day before... my Hubs asked me to marry him the very first time he had my chocolate chip cookies. :Sun2:

Don't forget the adult beverages!!

[stacicakes]

OK Keri so what's for dinner??????? All these great recipes and some good plans to get through the night......What's it gonna be???? We all want to know the final menu!:Sun2:

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I would keep it as simple as possible.

[Melisande]

Uhhmmm... I actually have a lot of really great/easy recipes, but they are mostly vegitarian? Thai, vietnamese, etc. A few really good sorta mediterranean ones, if you like that kind of thing. Thats pretty much all Nick and I eat.

One REALLY GREAT recipe for Pad Graw Prow (thai basil chicken) YUM That is my 'best' dish people love!

If you are interested in that route, let me know and I'll post some! :Sun2:

[keri1113]

OK Keri so what's for dinner??????? All these great recipes and some good plans to get through the night......What's it gonna be???? We all want to know the final menu!:Sun2:

Not sure...The stupid weather might not work in my favor. They are saying it is a 50% chance of rain so that might ruin my grilling ideas. And this is OK so it could rain when there is no chance in the forecast. I also thought about making shish-ka-bobs since they are really easy to cook. And it might ruin my indoor cooking...they are saying severe storms and the last set of severe storms I was without power for 2.5 hours! Drinking for dinner is sounding better and better!! I'm going to pray for rain...but after I get done cooking!

[stacicakes]

Ok....back up plan.....Who has really good DRINK recipes for Keri!!!!:Sun2: Do you have Costcos by you???? If so go get a roasted chicken and just add some side dishes and desert.....don't forget a bottle of wine :D . They have the best chickens....just put it in a pan and pretend you cooked it. :Sun2:

[Melisande]

Ok....back up plan.....Who has really good DRINK recipes for Keri!!!!:Sun2: Do you have Costcos by you???? If so go get a roasted chicken and just add some side dishes and desert.....don't forget a bottle of wine :D . They have the best chickens....just put it in a pan and pretend you cooked it. :Sun2:

Oh boy, I have a lot of these LOL!! Here are some of my favorites

Peach Sangria
1 bottle White Zinfandel
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup peach-flavored brandy
6 tbsp thawed lemonade concentrate
8 oz sliced peaches


Mix together the wine, sugar, brandy and lemonade until well mixed. Add in the peaches, and refrigerate overnight.

Serve the next day from a large pitcher filled with ice.

Mojito
fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz light rum
club soda

In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with *chilled* club soda (or seltzer). Add the remaining mint, and serve.

My favorite thing to do with champagne!!

1 bottle champagne
fresh mint
fresh strawberries

Poor champagne in a blender with 2 or 3 strawberries, and the leaves from a small mint sprig (You can always add more mint if you need it, so start with a small amount) Blend and serve!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Get some chip and dip. You can also get cheese with meat trays and just have sandwiches. Or go to your supermarket and buy a submarine sandwich they usualy use french bread and are filled real nice and just have that with potatoe chips.

[SirOliversMom]

You said you wanted to keep it easy but of course you will want to cook to impress! You also want it ready ahead of time so that you are not spending all of your time fussing in the kitchen...humm...this is my idea for your menu:

Mushroom baked porkchops:

Use boneless loin chops (I would use 4 of them)
heat a tbsp of olive oil in the pan
sprinkle chops with garlic & onion powder
fast fry them on med-high for 2 minutes on each side (or just until they turn slightly brown)
transfer to a covered baking dish
cover with a can of condensed golden mushroom soup (no water)
bake slowly at 325 for about 45 to an hour

You will be able to cut the meat with a butter knife.

Gravy and meat all in one pan and you don't have to turn the oven on until he arrives.

Serve with any type of potato & veggie you like. The gravy will be divine believe me :)

Chunky french or italian bread with butter

If it's raining..I suggest serving a soup instead of a salad. Soup to guys is more apple pie and ice cream feeling than salad. And you can buy a package soup that you add water or milk too and they taste just great and can also be made ahead of time just sitting in a covered pot on the stove.

Keep your appetizer simple..while you share a glass of wine, bring out brie cheese and cracker board or a bowl of shrimp & dip.

If you don't do desserts just buy a frozen Sara Lee cherry cheesecake!

Remember that you are supposed to be having fun not slaving away or being nervous about the food.

GOOD LUCK with whichever meal you choose and have fun!

[zoeysmom]

My favorite thing to do with champagne!!

1 bottle champagne
fresh mint
fresh strawberries

Poor champagne in a blender with 2 or 3 strawberries, and the leaves from a small mint sprig (You can always add more mint if you need it, so start with a small amount) Blend and serve!

This sounds good, especially for a brunch type thing. But is it still bubbly, or does the champagne lose it's fizz after a spin in the blender?

[keri1113]

You said you wanted to keep it easy but of course you will want to cook to impress! You also want it ready ahead of time so that you are not spending all of your time fussing in the kitchen...humm...this is my idea for your menu:

Mushroom baked porkchops:

Use boneless loin chops (I would use 4 of them)
heat a tbsp of olive oil in the pan
sprinkle chops with garlic & onion powder
fast fry them on med-high for 2 minutes on each side (or just until they turn slightly brown)
transfer to a covered baking dish
cover with a can of condensed golden mushroom soup (no water)
bake slowly at 325 for about 45 to an hour

You will be able to cut the meat with a butter knife.

Gravy and meat all in one pan and you don't have to turn the oven on until he arrives.

Serve with any type of potato & veggie you like. The gravy will be divine believe me :)

Chunky french or italian bread with butter

If it's raining..I suggest serving a soup instead of a salad. Soup to guys is more apple pie and ice cream feeling than salad. And you can buy a package soup that you add water or milk too and they taste just great and can also be made ahead of time just sitting in a covered pot on the stove.

Keep your appetizer simple..while you share a glass of wine, bring out brie cheese and cracker board or a bowl of shrimp & dip.

If you don't do desserts just buy a frozen Sara Lee cherry cheesecake!

Remember that you are supposed to be having fun not slaving away or being nervous about the food.

GOOD LUCK with whichever meal you choose and have fun!

That sounds so so good! I was getting hungry just reading it. It sounds really simple to make!!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Janet that sounds great-can't get much simpler than that.

[Melisande]

This sounds good, especially for a brunch type thing. But is it still bubbly, or does the champagne lose it's fizz after a spin in the blender?

Still bubbly!! Sometimes for a party I'll dip champagne glasses in pink sugar (like a margarita) to make them cute. Everyone always loves it. Just dont OVER blend it. A coulpe of quick taps on the pulse button is plenty! Let me know how you like it if you try it!

[stacicakes]

Melissa.....I've decided that I'm coming to your house for HAPPY HOUR!:Sun2: Great drink recipes......With all the food and drink recipes posted I'm ready for a PARTY!!!!:Sun2:

[LUVMYGUNNER]

So what are you making?

[Melisande]

Melissa.....I've decided that I'm coming to your house for HAPPY HOUR!:Sun2: Great drink recipes......With all the food and drink recipes posted I'm ready for a PARTY!!!!:Sun2:

I know! Wouldnt that be fun if we really could have a DBB party!! It would be like that sprint comercial with the 100 dachshund! LOL

[keri1113]

I grilled steaks and potatoes. And I made salad too. For dessert I just made those pre-made cookies that you just drop on the pan and cook. I got a back-up lasagna just in case...haha!! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!! I'm going to have to make some of those recipes...They all sound so so so yummy!

[syarb]

Keri,

From a guy's point of view (for what it's worth)...

Go with the steak, baked potato, and salad.

Fairly cheap, and sticks to your ribs.

Remember the quickest way to our hearts...

[Melisande]

Keri,

From a guy's point of view (for what it's worth)...

Go with the steak, baked potato, and salad.

Fairly cheap, and sticks to your ribs.

Remember the quickest way to our hearts...


Except for my guy, who would rather have tofu and veggies lol :sofunny:

[Suzanne R]

I'm glad everything turned out well! My mother could ruin the best steak in the world so I hesitated suggesting steak!! :wahooo:

[andy&abby]

Glad to hear it all went well for you. :hug2: