Some weeknights are just begging for a party. If by Wednesday you’re in dire need of some fun and festivities, surprise your friends with a mid-week, last-minute dinner party.
By keeping the menu simple and the atmosphere casual, you can cook dinner for six or more without too much stress or time.
Sure, homemade is great for the gourmet, but a casual dinner with friends doesn’t have to mean days of preparation. By leaving the basics to the prepackaged foods and adding a few homemade touches, you can serve a delicious dinner in a short amount of time.
Here are your menu, grocery list and time line. Happy Wednesday! Cheers!
Menu
Chips and Salsa
Bagel chips and beer cheese
Mixed Greens with Pears
Herb Encrusted Pork Tenderloin
Jasmine Rice
Broccoli Stir Fry
Ice cream
Your Grocery List
On your way home from work, stop at the grocery store and buy:
What To Do:
Unwrap the pork tenderloin; it should fall into two halves, lengthwise. Brush lightly with Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the entire outside of the tenderloins with thyme, rosemary, basil and crushed garlic, pressing into the pork to adhere. Pour a little bit of white wine into the bottom of a roasting pan and place the tenderloins in the pan. Set aside.
Using two metal pie plates (I keep the disposable ones just for this use), put some sesame seeds in one and the pecans in the other. Place in the oven on 400-425 degrees and toast both the sesame seeds and the pecans. Watch them carefully – they brown quickly! The sesame seeds will be done first. Take them out as each of them are lightly browned and toasted. Set aside.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Roast the tenderloin, uncovered, until a meat thermometer shows it’s 170-175 degrees, about 30 minutes.
Wash the broccoli and cut into florets.
Prepare jasmine rice as instructed on the box or bag.
Heat some olive oil in a wok or skillet and add broccoli, cooking and tossing until crisp tender.
Slice the pears into wedges. Place mixed greens in a salad bowl. Top with pear slices, bleu cheese and toasted pecans.
To serve, put broccoli in serving bowl and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Put jasmine rice in a bowl and squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it; fluff to stir. Slice the tenderloin and serve it on an oblong platter with fresh rosemary sprigs on the side. Pour some dressing on the salad and toss.
When your guests arrive, put the chips, salsa and cheese into serving dishes, light some candles and you’re ready for the party!
More Last-Minute Entertaining Advice on the Web:
PerfectEntertaining.com has some tips for quick clean-ups before your guests arrive.
The Food Network offers inspiration and ideas for throwing an instant party.
Rocco Dispirito’s Last Minute Entertaining is available at Barnes and Noble online.
TV chef and author Michael Chiarello shares secrets for a successful gathering, even when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare, at RecipeLand.com.
By keeping the menu simple and the atmosphere casual, you can cook dinner for six or more without too much stress or time.
Sure, homemade is great for the gourmet, but a casual dinner with friends doesn’t have to mean days of preparation. By leaving the basics to the prepackaged foods and adding a few homemade touches, you can serve a delicious dinner in a short amount of time.
Here are your menu, grocery list and time line. Happy Wednesday! Cheers!
Menu
Chips and Salsa
Bagel chips and beer cheese
Mixed Greens with Pears
Herb Encrusted Pork Tenderloin
Jasmine Rice
Broccoli Stir Fry
Ice cream
Your Grocery List
On your way home from work, stop at the grocery store and buy:
- Bagged mixed salad greens
- Pears
- Fresh broccoli from the produce department
- A fresh lemon
- A small bunch of fresh rosemary, if available
- A small bag of whole pecans
- A bottle of Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing
- Bleu cheese
- A whole pork tenderloin
- A bottle of sesame seeds, thyme, rosemary and basil (if you don’t already have them)
- Dijon mustard (if you don’t already have it)
- Garlic
- A bag of jasmine rice
- Tortilla chips and bagel chips
- A small tub of beer cheese
- A jar of salsa
- Ben & Jerry’s ice cream – something decadent
What To Do:
Unwrap the pork tenderloin; it should fall into two halves, lengthwise. Brush lightly with Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the entire outside of the tenderloins with thyme, rosemary, basil and crushed garlic, pressing into the pork to adhere. Pour a little bit of white wine into the bottom of a roasting pan and place the tenderloins in the pan. Set aside.
Using two metal pie plates (I keep the disposable ones just for this use), put some sesame seeds in one and the pecans in the other. Place in the oven on 400-425 degrees and toast both the sesame seeds and the pecans. Watch them carefully – they brown quickly! The sesame seeds will be done first. Take them out as each of them are lightly browned and toasted. Set aside.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Roast the tenderloin, uncovered, until a meat thermometer shows it’s 170-175 degrees, about 30 minutes.
Wash the broccoli and cut into florets.
Prepare jasmine rice as instructed on the box or bag.
Heat some olive oil in a wok or skillet and add broccoli, cooking and tossing until crisp tender.
Slice the pears into wedges. Place mixed greens in a salad bowl. Top with pear slices, bleu cheese and toasted pecans.
To serve, put broccoli in serving bowl and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Put jasmine rice in a bowl and squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it; fluff to stir. Slice the tenderloin and serve it on an oblong platter with fresh rosemary sprigs on the side. Pour some dressing on the salad and toss.
When your guests arrive, put the chips, salsa and cheese into serving dishes, light some candles and you’re ready for the party!
More Last-Minute Entertaining Advice on the Web:
PerfectEntertaining.com has some tips for quick clean-ups before your guests arrive.
The Food Network offers inspiration and ideas for throwing an instant party.
Rocco Dispirito’s Last Minute Entertaining is available at Barnes and Noble online.
TV chef and author Michael Chiarello shares secrets for a successful gathering, even when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare, at RecipeLand.com.
