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spinbaby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 05:49 PM
Original message
Help me pick a menu for Tuesday's important dinner
My son is (gasp!) bringing a female person home for dinner to meet the folks. He's never done anything of the sort before, so I'm practically counting grandchildren already. Now I've got to decide what to serve for dinner. I have two hours between when I get home from work and dinner, so no long preparation time. My son claims the mysterious female has no food preferences. The field is wide open--what do you think I should serve?


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The empressof all Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 05:54 PM
Response to Original message
1. Keep it simple and have a fabulous dessert
Edited on Sat Dec-20-08 05:55 PM by The empressof all
I'd go with a simple Roasted Chicken, a nice salad and a Rice Pilaf. I'd make some biscuits or rolls. You want her to feel comfortable and at home so don't make a big fuss. Shoot I would even use a Costco Roast Chicken and focus on the sides. The other option is to roast some salmon with lemon and butter. Get (or make) a fabulous dessert. Chocolate is what people remember anyway.
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Tangerine LaBamba Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 11:52 PM
Response to Reply #1
8. I have a standard menu for new people
Lemon baked chicken breasts. Brown rice. Steamed broccoli. A simple green salad to finish, and something like fruit and cheese for dessert. Good wines.

Easy on everyone.
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LaydeeBug Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 06:35 PM
Response to Original message
2. I agree with the roasted chicken, or a beer can chicken to be informal
roasted root veggies, or something like asparagus and rice. Definitely serve some heat and serve rolls, and if Costco's where you're shopping, I'd rec the Parisian salad. It's teh yum.
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The empressof all Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 07:19 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. I've really gotten into roasting Butternut Squash
Edited on Sat Dec-20-08 07:19 PM by The empressof all
I get really lazy and buy the frozen already cut in hunks then I spray it with olive oil and give it some salt. Roasted until golden and brown. It's better than french fries.
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hippywife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 07:14 PM
Response to Original message
3. I third that recommendation.
Something simple, yet tasty and a wonderful dessert. You don't want her to think she's always going to have to compete with momma's cooking if this turns into a long term relationship. ;)

Breath, momma. :hug:
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eyesroll Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 07:22 PM
Response to Original message
5. Something that facilitates conversation is always good.
Meaning, nothing too complicated to eat (people will be too busy assembling their food or breaking it down).

I made a bunch of tapas for the Big Scary Dinner Wherein My Parents Met My Partner's Parents, and all was well. Then again, I had some time to cook, and I did so to avoid freaking out.

Good luck!!!
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NMDemDist2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 09:22 PM
Response to Original message
6. a quick pasta and salad, fresh bread
and dittos on the marvelous dessert
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-20-08 11:16 PM
Response to Original message
7. He is bringing the female person home to meet his family.
What would his family have on a special Tuesday night? **That** would be the perfect dinner.

In my house, that might be ....... damned near anything!
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hippywife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 05:31 PM
Response to Reply #7
14. Isn't Tuesday night
Prince spaghetti night? Or was that Wednesday?
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Hahahaha .......
"Aaaaaanthony ........ !"

Tuesday night.

I remember the commercial.

We used to eat Ronzoni.
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 12:19 AM
Response to Original message
9. Keep it simple
and you can't go wrong with chicken, ever.

She's probably nervous enough for both of you, so keep it easy and relaxed.

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pipoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 12:43 AM
Response to Original message
10. One of my favorite easy meals
Edited on Sun Dec-21-08 12:49 AM by pipoman
with a lot of class is Grilled Salmon with Basil Pesto on Linguine. It is a great 'women's dish', the pink salmon with the green pesto pasta is a beautiful plate, men definitely like it too. The biggest challenge is the fresh basil. It is available year round, but not every store sells it. If there is a gourmet store in your area try there, otherwise you can use the small packages of fresh basil at most grocery stores. Get around 6-8 oz fresh basil. Place the basil in a blender or food processor along with 2 cloves garlic, some pine nuts (sunflower nuts will work too), 1/4 c. fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, start your blender with the center cap off, pour extra virgin olive oil in as the blender runs. Pour until the mixture begins to roll nicely, you will know what I mean when you see it(1 to 2 cups oil). It won't look like much volume but don't worry, it will be enough. Taste the mixture, you will need to add salt, how much depends on how salty your cheese is, it should be slightly salty. Set aside at room temp.

In a small bowl add 1 c. olive oil, and some finely chopped oregano (dry oragano will work in a pinch), and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Let this set at room temp while you prepare the salmon. Next take approx 6 oz of salmon per serving. Skin the salmon, on the skin side there will be a dark strip. With a sharp knife remove this dark strip, it is why some people don't like salmon. Put the salmon in a mixing bowl, and pour the oil/oregano mixture over the salmon coating it well. Now your prep is done. Around 30 minutes before serving boil water, a little oil and a little salt for the pasta. 20 minutes before serving add the pasta to the boiling water. If you have an indoor grill have it hot and ready to go 10 minutes before serving, this can be done in a dry skillet too. Place the salmon on the grill 8 minutes before serving turn after around 3 minutes, remove when cooked through, try not to over cook it, the oil mixture will keep it moist. Remove the salmon from the grill, place immediately into a pan, cover with foil and place in a preheated 200 degree oven. Drain the pasta when to desired doneness, then immediately begin stirring in the pesto, about 1/2 at a time until the pasta is uniformly covered. If you need to hold this, place it back into the pan you cooked the pasta in and cover, do not put the pan on heat, let the heat from the pan keep it warm. Plate it with the pasta on the bottom, the salmon on top, and sprinkle with a bit of parm. and maybe a bit of shredded basil leaves. Serve with garlic bread or bread sticks.

I recently served this dish to a group of 150 nurses, rave reviews. Total prep time, less than 1 hour. Cooking time, 30 minutes.

Just my $.02.

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grasswire Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 02:08 AM
Response to Original message
11. one of my favorite ways to roast a chicken...
....is to roast potato wedges in the same pan, and pour melted butter with dried tarragon over all before roasting. Sprinkle with salt, and roast away. Smells divine.
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spinbaby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 05:13 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. I think roast chicken is the winner here
If I have the chicken ready to go into the oven when I get home, it should be done in good time. Maybe with potatoes, a nice steamed broccoli, and salad.
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sandnsea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
13. If you want her to love you
burn it all and order pizza. She'll never have to worry about being "good enough" and that's the best gift of all.
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