Hit me with your most impressive recipes!

[lil_earthmomma]

I'm having friends over and really want to wow them! What do you cook that has that awesome wow factor?

[Sol_y_Paz]

Provided everyone likes it, I fix sushi, a small salad, and miso soup.

[cristeen]

How extravagant are you wanting to be? And how many people are you needing to feed? And what is the weather like in your area? Here our growing season is already a month old, so we're eating different foods than people in say CO who just got 2 feet of snow. Oh, and how much advance warning do you have? Any food restrictions?

When my BFF brought over her new BF to meet us, I did handmade butternut ravioli tossed with sauteed broccoli rabe and fresh moz, topped with a seared duck breast. That was really impressive, and not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

Christmas dinner was a bone-in prime rib with a mushroom wine sauce that was absolutely divine (I didn't do the cream sauce or the popovers). Paired with horseradish roasted parsnips and I don't even remember what else. Of course, this is a cold weather dinner, though (and expensive).

Honestly, I've found most people are impressed when presented with a spread of fresh local ingredients, with one or two "difficult" dishes involved (like handmade pasta which isn't difficult, but has that reputation). Be sure to include an ingredient or two that is out of the ordinary (like duck or fresh mozzarella) to up the "wow" factor.

For desserts, I've found cream puffs/profiteroles to be very popular (I make them 2-bite size, rather than larger). People always think they're so difficult. You can make them a day or two ahead and just stuff them at the last moment. Fill them with a homemade pudding, ice cream, custard, or even just a flavored whipped cream. One of our favorite combos is pumpkin custard (filling) topped with a maple caramel sauce (this is a Thanksgiving dish)... use anything you want in place of the custard (I've done pumpkin ice cream, butterscotch pudding, and plain whipped cream), but the maple caramel sauce makes the dish. Ice cream is another dish that wows most people if you make it at home (assuming you have a maker). If you're already able to get fresh berries, and want something a little more homey feeling, this Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake is fabulous. But don't bother if the berries are being flown in, or you can't find Meyer lemons.

HTH

[californiajenn]

Pork Tenderloin with a port and dried cherry sauce. Super easy and delicious.

[Theoretica]

:

[mamadelbosque]

The two that pop to mind for me are General Tsos Chicken (surprsingly easy), and Baked Chicken Parmesan... Both are very tasty and quite easy, really!!

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

The two that pop to mind for me are General Tsos Chicken (surprsingly easy), and Baked Chicken Parmesan... Both are very tasty and quite easy, really!!

Recipes please!!!

Thanks for all of the responses.


Our growing season hasn't quite started yet! lol I'm having them over on Tuesday, so lots of time, no dietary restrictions except they don't like seafood.

I have a pork tenderloin, so that sounds yummy, but the homemade raviloli with fresh mozza sounds devine!!!

Oh, how I love to make good food.

[mamadelbosque]

Baked Chicken Parmesan

½ cup flour
½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ cup butter
milk
chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In baking pan melt butter in oven. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix all other ingredients except milk & chicken.

Dip chicken breasts in milk and coat in flour mixture. Put in pan with melted butter and bake for 45-60 minutes, turning once or until chicken is tender and golden brown.

I actually do this with a whole chicken these days, and it all turns out fantastic. I've also used this same basic recipe but dipped eggplant in it and thus had eggplant parmesan, which also turned out really really yummy! I serve it with marinara sauce & egg noodles, and then green beans or a salad or asparagus or whatever.

General Tso's Chicken

SAUCE:
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 TBSP. water
3/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
3/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 TBSP white vinegar
2 TBSP sherry or white wine

Put everything in a big jar, put the lid on, and shake it up real well. Set aside.

MEAT:
1/2 pound bonless chicken, cut into chuncks
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup sliced green onions (or regular onions, tastes just as wonderful just not quite as pretty)
2-4 jalapenos (We like it HOT so use 4+)

Place chicken and egg in a zip lock bag and shake to coat chicken evenly. Add cornstarch and mix until chicken is evenly covered. Deep fry chicken at 350 degrees until crispy. Drain.

Heat 1 TBSP of oil in a skillet. Add onions and peppers and stir fry for 30+ seconds. Add sauce mixture. Cook and stir until thick. Add chicken and cook just long enough to reheat through.

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

Baked Chicken Parmesan

½ cup flour
½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ cup butter
milk
chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In baking pan melt butter in oven. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix all other ingredients except milk & chicken.

Dip chicken breasts in milk and coat in flour mixture. Put in pan with melted butter and bake for 45-60 minutes, turning once or until chicken is tender and golden brown.

I actually do this with a whole chicken these days, and it all turns out fantastic. I've also used this same basic recipe but dipped eggplant in it and thus had eggplant parmesan, which also turned out really really yummy! I serve it with marinara sauce & egg noodles, and then green beans or a salad or asparagus or whatever.

General Tso's Chicken

SAUCE:
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 TBSP. water
3/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
3/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 TBSP white vinegar
2 TBSP sherry or white wine

Put everything in a big jar, put the lid on, and shake it up real well. Set aside.

MEAT:
1/2 pound bonless chicken, cut into chuncks
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup sliced green onions (or regular onions, tastes just as wonderful just not quite as pretty)
2-4 jalapenos (We like it HOT so use 4+)

Place chicken and egg in a zip lock bag and shake to coat chicken evenly. Add cornstarch and mix until chicken is evenly covered. Deep fry chicken at 350 degrees until crispy. Drain.

Heat 1 TBSP of oil in a skillet. Add onions and peppers and stir fry for 30+ seconds. Add sauce mixture. Cook and stir until thick. Add chicken and cook just long enough to reheat through.

Oh yum! Thanks so much, I can't wait to make both of these!

[columbusmomma]

Me too!:

[Chicky2]

I pound out chicken breast (or rabbit, in my case) and stuff w/fresh basil, goat cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and roasted garlic, and some egg to bind. Roll up, secure w/toothpicks and bake w/marinara sauce on top. I like to alternate this in the pan w/eggplant rolls. Just peel and slice the eggplant lengthwise and roast in oven til soft but not mushy (brush w/olive oil) (don't forget to salt and let your eggplant sit if you think it might be bitter). Then do the same as the chicken breast. Top w/fresh basil before serving. I serve w/a nice batch of roasted or grilled (gas grill) asparagus that I toss w/celtic sea salt and olive oil. You can serve ww fettuccine w/this, too.

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

I pound out chicken breast (or rabbit, in my case) and stuff w/fresh basil, goat cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and roasted garlic, and some egg to bind. Roll up, secure w/toothpicks and bake w/marinara sauce on top. I like to alternate this in the pan w/eggplant rolls. Just peel and slice the eggplant lengthwise and roast in oven til soft but not mushy (brush w/olive oil) (don't forget to salt and let your eggplant sit if you think it might be bitter). Then do the same as the chicken breast. Top w/fresh basil before serving. I serve w/a nice batch of roasted or grilled (gas grill) asparagus that I toss w/celtic sea salt and olive oil. You can serve ww fettuccine w/this, too.

This sounds incredible! Thank you so much for this recipe!

[Chicky2]

Yw!

[mamatoablessing]

Best company recipe ever...

I can't tell you how many times I've given this recipe out. You will not be disappointed.


Grilled Pork Burgers Indochine
courtesy Ellie Mathews, Port Townsend, WA


Ingredients

Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Thai basil leaves
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Patties:
1/4 cup Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam)
4 teaspoons jaggery (palm sugar) or brown sugar
1 teaspoon sriracha or other Asian hot chili sauce
2 pounds freshly ground pork
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill rack
6 French rolls, split
6 interior butter lettuce leaves

Directions
Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high.

For the Dressing: combine the mayonnaise, basil, cilantro, green onions, and lime juice in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

For the Patties: combine the fish sauce, jaggery, and chili sauce in a medium bowl. Add the pork, peanut butter, ginger, garlic, and star anise and blend loosely with a fork. Form into 6 equal patties the approximate dimensions of the rolls, making a slight depression in the middle of the patties to compensate for the tendency to bulge during cooking.

Brush the grill rack with oil. Grill the patties with the grill top closed for 4 minutes. Turn and grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the patties registers 160 degrees F, about 4 minutes longer.

During the last 2 minutes of grilling the patties, place the rolls, cut side down, on the grill to toast.

To assemble the burgers: spread the roll bottoms with a thin layer of dressing, followed by a lettuce leaf. Add the patties and top with generous dollops of the dressing. Add the roll tops.

[columbusmomma]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

Baked Chicken Parmesan

½ cup flour
½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ cup butter
milk
chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In baking pan melt butter in oven. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix all other ingredients except milk & chicken.

Dip chicken breasts in milk and coat in flour mixture. Put in pan with melted butter and bake for 45-60 minutes, turning once or until chicken is tender and golden brown.

I actually do this with a whole chicken these days, and it all turns out fantastic. I've also used this same basic recipe but dipped eggplant in it and thus had eggplant parmesan, which also turned out really really yummy! I serve it with marinara sauce & egg noodles, and then green beans or a salad or asparagus or whatever.

General Tso's Chicken

SAUCE:
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 TBSP. water
3/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
3/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 TBSP white vinegar
2 TBSP sherry or white wine

Put everything in a big jar, put the lid on, and shake it up real well. Set aside.

MEAT:
1/2 pound bonless chicken, cut into chuncks
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup sliced green onions (or regular onions, tastes just as wonderful just not quite as pretty)
2-4 jalapenos (We like it HOT so use 4+)

Place chicken and egg in a zip lock bag and shake to coat chicken evenly. Add cornstarch and mix until chicken is evenly covered. Deep fry chicken at 350 degrees until crispy. Drain.

Heat 1 TBSP of oil in a skillet. Add onions and peppers and stir fry for 30+ seconds. Add sauce mixture. Cook and stir until thick. Add chicken and cook just long enough to reheat through.

Just bumping this to say I made the General Tso's the other night and it rocked!! Thanks for the recipe!