I need ideas for a main course for a dinner party!?

Question

its a formal thing so no finger foods, just a main meal

Answer 1

Maybe you could serve a roast dinner with all the trimmings, but offer the veg in bowls with spoons as some people don't like veg and it would be rude of you to assume they would want loads of food on their plate. Get some tasteful music and wine too!

If you don't want to do a cooked dinner, try a simple salad with pasta and sauce or ask the people what they would like before you cook.

Answer 2

BONELESS PORK LOIN

2-4 lb. boned, rolled pork roast

1 TB. dry mustard

1 tsp. salt

pepper & paprika to taste

1/2 tsp. caraway seed

      Rub roast with seasonings.  Roast on rack in shallow pan, uncovered, in 350 oven until thermometer registers 185 (45-50 min. per lb.)  Slice thin.  This is an especially nice dish for a buffet, since you can serve it HOT or COLD.....(DO AHEAD)

and, in case you are having vegetarians:

TOMATO QUICHE

3 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded & chopped

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 TB. butter

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. thyme

prepared 8" pie crust

1/2 lb. Swiss cheese, diced

3 eggs, well beaten

1 c. half and half

       Combine tomates, onion, butter salt & thyme in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, until mixture is reduced by half.  Place cheese on bottom of pie crust.  Pour tomato  mixture over cheese.  Mix eggs & cream and pour over tomatoes.  Bake at 425 for 10 min, then reduce temp to 375 for 35 min, or until set.  Let quiche rest for a few minutes before cutting ..... serves 6

This would also be a good side dish with the pork ... plus a big green salad, with Balsamic Vignarette dressing, and sliced strawberries, oranges & pineapple

Answer 3

Chicken breast stuffed with creamed leeks and wrapped in bacon. Served with roast potato's, long stemmed broccoli and fine green beans.

Answer 4

You can do Beef Wellington.  You don't have to use pate de fois gras.  I've seen several recipes that use mushrooms and shallots instead.  Do the individually wrapped filets, not the rolled roast.  It looks so impressive and tastes out of this world.  Serve it with a couple of vegetable choices and a nice cabernet.  Your guests will be wowed.

Here's another one I do that is always a hit.  Take some of those thick cut lamb chops, spread them with dijon mustard and fresh chopped sage and broil them.  You can also wrap a strip of bacon around the edge for additional flavor.  Serve with mashed or scalloped potatoes and a veggie and a light red wine, like a beaujoulais (sp?).  

If you prefer to do seafood, sole almondine is simple, quick and always tasty (check with your guest for nut allergies, though!).  Or how about salmon steaks cooked in butter and tarragon (tarragon works well with any fish).

How do you feel about carving at the table for this event?  You could do a standing rib roast.  And I ALWAYS do yorkshire pudding when I do prime rib.  Your friends will be on the treadmill for weeks and thanking you for it!

How about cornish game hens with wild rice stuffing?  Depending on how many guests you have and oven capacity...  But they are delicious and a great presentation.  

So there's a few ideas.  Have fun!

Answer 5

POT ROAST

Your choice of beef (to fit crock-pot)

1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix

1 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix

1 pkg. dry Brown Gravy mix

1 cup water

Put beef in pot.

Mix together all the dry mixes….then add water …pour over meat and cover & cook on high 4-6 hours.

Until meat is tender.

The first time I mad it I didn’t have the Italian Dressing mix….so I added a pkg. of Onion Soup Mix….I have to say I liked that better.

If you use more water you might want to add more Brown Gravy mix….to make a thicker sauce. Was gonna add

potatoes and carrots…but never got around to it.

(I’ve not made this one yet)

EASY BEEF STROGANOFF

Ingredients:

3/4 lb lean ground beef

1 jar Heinz HomeStyle Savory Beef Gravy (12 oz Jar)

1 can mushrooms, drained (7 oz can)

1/2 cup sour cream

4-6 cups hot cooked noodles

salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a medium skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned and thoroughly cooked. Carefully drain liquids and return to stovetop. Stir in Gravy and mushrooms, and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, until thoroughly combined. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately over hot noodles.

CRUNCHY ONION CHICKEN

1 1/3 cups French’s Original French Fried Onions

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1 egg, beaten

LIGHTLY CRUSH:

Onions in a plastic bag.

DIP:

Chicken in egg

COVER:

With onion crumbs, press firmly to adhere to chicken.

BAKE:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place chicken on lightly greased baking pan.

Sprinkle with additional onion crumbs, if desired.

Bake for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

Mushroom Chicken

4 boneless/skinless chicken breast (or any pieces you like)

1 can cream of mushroom soup.

1 can water

Place chicken in crock pot (or sauce pan for stove top cooking)

mix soup & 1 can of water together

pour over chicken

cook on medium heat until boiling then reduce heat and cook until chicken is really tender & falling apart.

Serve over noodles or rice or dressing....or???

Answer 6

These are very good recipes.  They are easy so its great for entertaining.  I have made these many times and people have always enjoyed them.

Pork Roast:  http://www.recipezaar.com/41426

Ideas for sides to go with the pork:

                    Sweet Potato Spears

Sweet potatoes, peeled

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Thyme

Black pepper

Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400

Cut sweet potatoes lengthwise into ½ wedges.

Place sweet potatoes onto a baking sheet.

Drizzle olive oil on potatoes.

Sprinkle salt, thyme, black pepper and a tiny bit of nutmeg on sweet potatoes.

Toss to combine and coat sweet potatoes with oil.

Make sure sweet potatoes are in a single layer on the baking sheet.  

Bake at 400 for 15- 25 minutes (depends on size of potatoes) until tender. Turn once in the middle of baking.  

                          Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Preheat oven to either 400 or 450

Snap off tough ends of asparagus.

Place asparagus on a baking sheet.  

Drizzle asparagus with olive oil.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Toss to combine and evenly spread oil over asparagus.

Roast for 10 -15 minutes until tender and slightly browned.  Shake once during roasting.

Answer 7

BBQ Pulled Pork (Crockpot Recipe)

5-6# butt cut

1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup mix

1-2 cans diet pepsi or dr. pepper

Place all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours

To shred the meat, use two forks

Once completely shredded, top with your favorite bbq sauce, I've used Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ.

***YUM***

Answer 8

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/00...

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/00...

Making my mouth water........

Answer 9

turkey,potatoes,chicken,stew......