Please share anything for....

the following.
Im having friends over to our place next Fri. Theyve never been here and i wanna make it a really nice night.

My dh usually does the cooking for guests but he will be getting in later that eve so...its up to me..yikes!!

I NEED ideas for:
-appetizers/hors devoures
-salad (something w/ fruit/nuts perhaps??)
-entree (must be chicken)
-side (preferably green veggie)

PLEASE girls! Anything you can suggest/post would be super helpful!!!!

Re: Please share anything for....

Here is a simple chicken dish that I make. I think it's good for a dinner party because it looks "fancier" than chicken cutlets, but it's easy to make. You can also adjust what you put in the middle of it - I usually add some mozzarella in addition to the parm.

Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

(3-ounce) chicken cutlets, pounded to evenly flatten
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 paper-thin slices prosciutto
1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 (14-ounce) can low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Place the chicken cutlets flat on the work surface. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Lay 1 slice of prosciutto atop each chicken cutlet.
Squeeze the frozen spinach to remove the excess water. Season the spinach with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, toss the spinach with 1 tablespoon of oil to coat.

Arrange an even, thin layer of spinach atop the prosciutto slices. Sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over each. Beginning at the short tapered end, roll up each chicken cutlet as for a jellyroll. Secure with a toothpick.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook just until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Add the chicken broth and lemon juice, and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Simmer the cooking liquid over high heat until it is reduced to about 2/3 cup, about 5 minutes. Season the cooking liquid with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove toothpicks from the chicken. Drizzle the reduced cooking liquid over the chicken and serve immediately.

Message edited 9/11/2007 9:12:18 PM.

Re: Please share anything for....

A REALLY easy side that I do is this:

One large tomato, top cut off and slightly scooped out.
One tablespoon pesto sauce
Crumble gorgonzola cheese on top.

Bake in 350 oven for about 20 minutes (or until cheese starts to brown).


Another easy one is:
Peel asparagus, lay in baking pan and sprinkle with olive oil and garlic
Bake 30 minutes at 400
Sprinkle with about 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar immediately out of oven.
Serve hot

Re: Please share anything for....

I have a recipe for Raspberry Poppyseeds dressing and it has mesclun-pecans, goat cheese and cranberries==fm me if u want it..
I will probaby forget to look at this again.
I have to look for it.

Re: Please share anything for....

LAdies....thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!

Re: Please share anything for....

I make the best Cranberry Brie Bites. It is a great "fally" appetizer:

1/2 cups cranberry sauce (use homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce)
1 puff pastry sheet
1 brie triangle, chilled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Thaw puffy pastry sheet flat. Cut puff pastry sheet into approximately 3-inch squares and place them into mini muffin tins, pressing them into the shape of the muffin hole. Place a 1-inch slice of brie in the center of each puff pastry and then top it with approximately 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce.
Bake 10 minutes or until puff pastry corners are toasted light brown. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.