Comments on: Dinner for 6 - desperately need inspiration

Question: Dinner for 6 - desperately need inspiration

Space Kitty — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:52:11 -0800

Inspiration has left the building. I'm making dinner for six Thursday (including two kids) and I'm completely out of ideas.

Nobody is especially picky and there are no dietary restrictions.

I'm kind of bored with my typical go-to menus for company (roast pork or chicken with veg), and I'm not a huge fan of typical crowd-pleasing type food. (chili, spaghetti, most casseroles)

I'm fairly good cook, but I haven't fed even non picky children in ages, and the adults are known foodies.

Got any ideas for me?

By: computech_apolloniajames

computech_apolloniajames — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:56:25 -0800

Taco bar? Enchiladas?

By: HotToddy

HotToddy — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:05:58 -0800

How about an easy and delicious French bistro type meal that can mostly be made ahead and should satisfy known foodies?

Salad of slivered radicchio, roasted beets, and chopped walnuts (very festive arranged on a platter, tossed at the table and then served on salad plates)

Roasted salmon with lentils (you can do the lentils ahead of time, then roast a side of salmon--serve in soup plates with slices of salmon on top of the lentils, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with parsley)

Apple tart with creme fraiche

If you like this idea, memail me and I'll give you recipes.

By: pink candy floss

pink candy floss — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:07:05 -0800

French toast and bacon with a fruit salad on the side! Pizza? Grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips.

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:12:31 -0800

Homemade ravioli and an arugula salad.

By: geek anachronism

geek anachronism — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:16:40 -0800

Slow cooked beef cheek?

By: DarlingBri

DarlingBri — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:23:27 -0800

Roast ham, roast goose, roast leg of lamb, or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.

By: tel3path

tel3path — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:39:52 -0800

Zakuska table! Allocate four canapés per person and fill the gaps with a variety of breads.

Followed by three spectacular desserts! Chocolate meringue pie, lemon meringue pie, upside down pear gingerbread.

By: Ollie

Ollie — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:55:22 -0800

Tamales?

By: snickerdoodle

snickerdoodle — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:03:05 -0800

Any of the recipes from Sunday Suppers at Lucques is perfect for 6-person dinner parties. Here's one of my favorite menus for this time of year:

Young Onion Tart with Bacon and Herb Salad

Deviled chicken thighs with braised leeks

By: Room 641-A

Room 641-A — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:30:33 -0800

Short Rib Ragu with polenta or pasta

Bonus: Make it a day ahead.

By: allymusiqua

allymusiqua — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:41:45 -0800

I recently made this Baby Spinach with Dates & Almonds which was a HUGE hit, kids and adults alike.

What about paella?

By: Space Kitty

Space Kitty — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:57:13 -0800

It's a festivus miracle, you all have inspired me.

I'm making the hell out of some braised short ribs. Thanks for the ideas and keep the links coming!

By: zorseshoes

zorseshoes — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:16:52 -0800

I see you've chosen your main course, but maybe for next time, you'd like to make Arrosto di Maiale Al Latte (Milk-Braised Pork). It's super easy, and incredibly delicious. Makes its own gravy (mostly). I made it for Christmas dinner one year, and the guests were practically licking the plates. Goes well with mashed potatoes, or probably any potatoes.

Scroll down for the recipe.

By: R2WeTwo

R2WeTwo — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 19:01:20 -0800

Lobster Mac and Cheese?

By: mandymanwasregistered

mandymanwasregistered — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 19:39:04 -0800

I've been doing a lot of protein, garlic mashed potatoes and cooked greens lately. I'm a big fan of cooking the greens in shallots and bacon grease or pancetta.

Risotto with butternut squash is always good/scales up easily enough. And helps warm up the house since you need to bake the squash.

By: HotToddy

HotToddy — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 20:01:41 -0800

Risotto with butternut squash is always good/scales up easily enough.

Yes! I always forget how delicious it is but made it the other night with garlic, sage, parmesan and we couldn't shut up about it the whole time we were eating. It's one of the most wonderful comfort foods ever.

By: moira

moira — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 21:27:10 -0800

We love this butternut squash goat cheese gratin, and it disappeared within minutes when I made it for company.