I just love throwing dinner parties. I throw them a few times a month, actually. Elaborately planned out, exquisite events, worthy of full page spreads in the finest culinary magazines of the world.
Actually, thats a really big lie . My 'dinner parties' are far, far from this. But that doesn't make them any less wonderful. They usually consist of me, my sweetheart, my very best friend, and my cat. They are full of 'buffet style' food served and eaten around my coffee table, with candles and wine glasses scattered throughout the living room, and a great soundtrack of Moulin Rouge music in the background ...but nevertheless, I think we all have a wonderful time, and I wouldn't trade in my little 'dinner party' family for anything!
Here's some of my concoctions I've whipped up at the past few 'parties'!
Pork Picatta - a modified Giada De Laurentiis Chicken Picatta recipe - she used thin cut chicken cutlets, I used thin cut pork cutlets. Practically the same thing, right?
PS - I breaded my pork in breadcrumbs/parm. cheese, and beaten egg to give it a nice, thick crust. Try it!
I deemed this dinner "A Little Bit of Everything". We've got bruschetta, deviled eggs, and BBQ Jalapeno Poppers by The Pioneer Woman. Oh boy, could I go on and on about these jalapenos - they are SO good. These are something you just have to try to believe. They were a little intimidating at first - I was filled with this overwhelming fear of squirting pepper juice in my eye and becoming permanently blind and having to explain to people how it happened and being deeply embarrassed....but thankfully, I was fine, no juice was squirted, and my eyeballs are still intact.
Chicken With Olives - (also by the beloved Pioneer Woman) - this is a GREAT entertaining dish. It was cheap to prepare (chicken wings and drumsticks are always decently priced!), easy to make, and had some really beautiful colors going on too. Over a bed of pasta...it rocked our socks off. Really. The chicken, and a great Caesar Salad with homemade dressing made for a a really rockin' night.
It was very delicious too! YUM!
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