STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

okay collette--i am thinking this is the first time you have done a dinner party but no sweat, you will pull it off without a hitch.

I might do something easy. Is there anything you know how to cook or do well? list those and I will help you modify or add to what you know how to do.

I think a easy dinner party is Lasagna. (i have a recipe if you need it or the one on the back of the Muellers box is pretty good) You can do this in advance and don't have to get all stressed out about coordinating all the times of everything. That is the hardest part about having people over --getting everything on the table hot at the same time. (especially when alcohol is involved)

I would do a fancy salad on individual plates or bowls---mixed greens, a few mushrooms, tomatoes or cucumbers (or combo) and add some dried cranberries or almonds or pine nuts to the top and add some blue cheese crumbles or feta crumbles---top with a balsalmic vinegrette at the last minute so the lettuce doesn't get all weird and VOILA!  You can make this ahead of time too.

I would do some garlic bread in the oven right before the meal starts.

For an appetizer maybe a baked brie, spinach dip or just cheese and crackers.

I would serve a nice chardonnay and a pinot noir or merlot.

for dessert, maybe the choc cake ALB posted or buy a nice deep dish Mrs. smiths pie and put it in your own pie dish...if it is an apple pie, brush the top with egg yolk and sprinkle some sugar on it....makes it golden and homemade looking.

I have a great easy cheesecake too or they are lots of desserts posted on here.