https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 01:13:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359915 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:40:42 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1359915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had friends over (we see them every week). I made salmon and Brussels sprouts in the oven, couscous on he stovetop. Couldn't be easier and pretty foolproof! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359670 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:59:44 +0000 Sapphiresun 1359670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarbear: If you're leaning toward the Take-Out option, but want a somewhat healthier option, think about Greek maybe? Nice souvlaki skewers, greek salad and pita isn't THAT bad.</p> <p>My go to's for company are roast beef dinner, lasagne/garlic toast/caesar salad, chicken a la orange (with rice and veggies),taco night... honestly depends how much I'm looking to impress people... haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359665 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:52:36 +0000 bisous 1359665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Grill in the summer...mahi mahi and grilled veggies. In the winter, normally roast beef in the crockpot. That's if I am cooking. SO would plan something a little more extravagant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359653 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:41:46 +0000 Synchronicity 1359653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: Bookmarked, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359590 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:59:13 +0000 Dandelion 1359590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We grill a lot when we have company. but, we're in SC, where grilling is a year 'round thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359581 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:51:40 +0000 Arden 1359581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on which country I'm in. </p> <p>In the USA my go to meal is a ravioli soup because I always have the ingredients on hand and practically everyone likes it.</p> <p>But in Albania if I served soup as a main dish that would be disrespectful and people would be horrified, so I usually make a four or five course meal including puff pastry boxes stuffed with grilled vegetables. It's a bit exhausting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359577 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:48:37 +0000 Boogs 1359577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baked fish, roasted veggies, and rice. All easy to keep warm and low on the mess. A nice green salad is usually a staple also because it's easy to make ahead. Skinnytaste has a Dijon salmon recipe and a roasted broccoli with garlic I usually use. Both can be prepped ahead of time, then just pop in the oven closer to when you need to eat. Then, I do her cilantro like rice, rice with peas, or my own spin on either of those depending on what I have around the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359574 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:46:34 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1359574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually serve a pork tenderloin - its my husband's go-to, and he always cooks when we have company. I'm in charge of desserts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359573 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:42:37 +0000 MrsH 1359573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Butternut-Squash-Risotto-105725" rel="nofollow">http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Butternut-Squash-Risotto-105725</a> it is similar to this but I don't roast the squash I just cube it and sautée with the onion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359568 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:33:48 +0000 yoursilverlining 1359568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: agree about the salad - use nice greens and top it with things like fresh/dried fruit, avocados, goat cheese, etc. and people feel like it's "fancy"; it not much extra work at all for the cook though!! :) </p> <p>Love your beet pizza description too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359562 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:31:17 +0000 Synchronicity 1359562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: Mmmm, butternut squash and kale risotto sounds amazing. Do you work from a recipe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359558 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:27:28 +0000 mrs. bird 1359558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>roast chicken, pulled pork, baked ziti, last time i made this pork loin, just with a much larger piece and i added garlic to the crust, it was AWESOME! i served it with baked potatoes, apple sauce and salad.<br /> <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/herb-and-garlic-roast-pork-loin-with-honey-mustard-sauce-recipe/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/herb-and-garlic-roast-pork-loin-with-honey-mustard-sauce-recipe/index.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359551 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:18:57 +0000 MrsH 1359551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on who we are having over since we have friends who don't eat meat or have friends who have food allergies :)</p> <p>I like making a big pot of butternut squash and kale risotto. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359546 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:16:49 +0000 GrapeCrush 1359546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Hmm..i like the idea of Asian/Chinese food! that could work! </p> <p>@grizz: I need to make more sauce. I used the last of my freezer stash on lasagna last week. I love it in the crock pot too! so easy! mine just always seem a tad too watery..are yours? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359537 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:10:31 +0000 Boheme 1359537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make my homemade spaghetti sauce (gravy if you're Italian ;) ) because it tastes fancier than what it is. I cook it in the crock pot all day, and put it over pretty pasta, like farfalle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359535 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:07:51 +0000 Ra 1359535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lasagna, crab cakes, roasted chicken, chicken parm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359534 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:07:07 +0000 illumina 1359534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's my parents or the ILs, I know what kind of foods they like, so I'll do a chilli con carne, stir fry, curry...anything I fancy really because I knw they'll eat it ;) Anyone else I tend to play it really safe and do lasagne or cheese stuffed chicken wrapped in bacon with veggies and potatoes. Something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359526 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:02:01 +0000 Synchronicity 1359526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first suggestion is ALWAYS to go out for dinner ;) I hate cooking, and I have very little confidence in my skills. I've also been a vegetarian for most of my adult life, so my ability to cook any sort of meat dish is very limited!</p> <p>I generally stick to some sort of pasta... lasagna, Alfredo, something like that, with a huge salad and garlic bread. </p> <p>Summer gatherings are so much easier! BBQs are really our thing. Throw on some chicken, burgers, put together a couple of salads and voila. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359513 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:54:59 +0000 jedeve 1359513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: A nice big salad makes any meal feel like a company meal in my opinion!! Make a dressing and people think you are Martha Stewart! </p> <p>I like this thread. Good reminder I need to perfect a few company dishes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359510 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:53:07 +0000 jedeve 1359510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: yes! Especially if the in laws pay...</p> <p>I do a pork pie with pork chops, potatoes and leeks baked in a pie crust. No recipe though...it's my own dish!</p> <p>DH made this for a friend yesterday: <a href="http://deadspin.com/how-to-cook-a-pot-roast-a-guide-for-people-who-want-to-5970682" rel="nofollow">http://deadspin.com/how-to-cook-a-pot-roast-a-guide-for-people-who-want-to-5970682</a></p> <p>Chili is good. My favorite vegetarian one is: <a href="http://thefareexchange.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/1-texas-two-bean-soup/" rel="nofollow">http://thefareexchange.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/1-texas-two-bean-soup/</a></p> <p>And we make pizzas a lot. Sometimes just a basic pepperoni. Or chicken/artichoke/red peppers. But the one we get the best reviews on is one where we roast beets, slice them thin, cover a whole wheat pizza dough crust (flavor is better with whole wheat trust me!) with goat and feta cheese and olive oil mixed with basil and minced garlic, top with beets, and drizzle with a bit of honey. Sounds weird but people go crazy for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359509 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:52:32 +0000 yoursilverlining 1359509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Soup/good bread/nice salad</p> <p>Steaks/fish, veggies and salad</p> <p>Big pasta dish and salad (notice a trend, haha)</p> <p>Pork chops and risotto</p> <p>Homemade Chinese food (make a couple of different dishes, usually a chicken, a beef and veggie) with rice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359506 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:49:43 +0000 GrapeCrush 1359506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: take-out is so much easier! lol I would love to do take-out...but we are all trying to 'eat better' and my take-out usually includes pizza and wings or Mexican lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359499 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:46:03 +0000 Mae 1359499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lasagna, tortellini/pasta, or fajitas usually. But let's be real, I generally just suggest we go out to dinner or order a pizza :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-dinner-do-you-cook-if-having-guests#post-1359493 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:42:10 +0000 GrapeCrush 1359493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are your go to meals if you are having guests over for dinner? my IL's are coming over for dinner one day this week and I'm wondering what to make. I usually make either a roasted chicken or lasagna, because it feeds a lot more than just DH and I. Recipes are awesome :) </p>