Reenie's Recipes - the dinner party recipe swap
 

Need a Menu?
Got friends coming over and have nothing to serve? Not sure what dish goes with what for your Mediterranean feast? Your guests are always too full of appetizers to enjoy their main course? Here are some balanced menu ideas for your next gathering.

Menus by Cuisine

Barbeque
Starter: Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp with Dill
Salad: Green Salad with Caramelized Walnuts
Main Course: Open-Faced Gourmet Cabernet Burgers
Grilled Vegetables
Dessert: Mud Pie

Starter: Shrimp and Sausage Kabobs
Salad: Tri-Colored Jicama Slaw
Main Course: Soy-Marinated Chicken
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Beans
Dessert: Dark Chocolate Pudding

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Bridal/Baby Shower
To Drink: Bellinis (Peach Cocktails)
Starters: Bite-Sized Caramelized Onion Tartlets
Smoked Salmon Squares
Main Course: Spinach and Grilled Chicken Salad
Couscous with Dates
Grandma's Famous Popovers
Dessert: Italian Ladies Kisses Cookies (Baci di Dama)

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Brunch

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Casual
Salad: Eggless Caesar Salad
Main Course: Grilled Pizza with Assorted Toppings
Dessert: Mini-Chocolate Cakes

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Children

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Cocktail Party
To Drink: Kent's Stiff Martini
Kir Royales
Fingerfoods: Chicken Liver Pate with Crostini
Fingerling Potato Skins
Kozi's Prosciutto, Bleu Cheese and Mango Bites
Marinated Shrimp Bruschetta with Crostini
Bite-Sized Caramelized Onion Tartlets
A Plate of Assorted Cheeses and Nuts
Dessert:

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Comfort Food
Starter:
Salad: Butter Lettuce Salad w/ Mustard Viniagrette and Sea Salt
Main Course: Gourmet Mac & Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
Broiled Asparagus
Dessert: Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

Starter: Artichoke Dip
Salad: Green Salad with Mustard Viniagrette
Main Course: Sweet and Sour Brisket
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Pine Nuts
Grandma's Famous Popovers
Dessert: S'mores

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Fall

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French
Starters: Gruyere Gougeres (Cheese Balls)
Soup: Asparagus Soup with Creme Fraiche
Main Course: Rack of Lamb Rubbed with Lavendar Salt
Fingerling Potatoes with Sea Salt
Garlic Confit
Dessert: Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis

Starter: Socca (Chickpea Flour Crepes)
Salad: Frisee with Asparagus and Prosciutto
Main Course: Herbed Roast Chicken
Leek Gratin
Dessert: Spiced Poached Pears with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Starter: Black Olive Tapenade with Crostini
Soup: French Onion Soup Gratinee
Main Course: Steak with Caramelized Shallot Reduction
Haricot Verts with Shallot Viniagrette and Pecorino
Dessert: Fresh Fruit

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Italian

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Low-Fat

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Mexican
Starter: Salsa, Guacamole and Chips
Mango Ceviche
Soup: Mexican Chicken Soup
Main Course: Carnitas Tacos
Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream with Cajeta

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Middle Eastern

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Southern
Starter: Jalapeno Crab Dip with Tortilla Chips
Main Course: Slow-Roasted Pork Ribs with Carolina-Styled BBQ Sauce
Cheese Biscuits with Chives
Savannah Collard Greens
Dessert: Bananas Foster

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Spring
Starter: Fava Bean Bruschetta with Pecorino
Main Course:
Dessert: Raspberry and Pear Bruschetta

Starter: Fingerling Potato Skins
Soup: Asparagus Soup with Creme Fraiche
Main Course: Grilled Cornish Game Hens with Lemon
Dessert:

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Summer
Starter: Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Salad: Panzanella - Italian Bread Salad
Main Course: Grilled Pizza with Assorted Toppings
Dessert: Strawberries Sprinkled with Sugar

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Super Bowl
Starters: Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings
Spinach Dip with Tortilla Chips
Chips and Salsa
Main Course: Make-Your-Own Oven-Baked Pizzas

Starters: Jalapeno Crab Dip
Hummus with Pappadam
Fingerling Potato Skins
Main Course: Kevin's Famous Dog Burgers (Hamburgers)
Dessert: Chocolate Toffee Cookies

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Spanish Tapas (Small Plates)
Soup: Classic Spanish Gazpacho
Small Plates: Pancetta-Wrapped Dates
Sauteed Mushrooms with Crostini
Prosciutto-Wrapped Radicchio
Aliño de Atun (Tuna Bruschetta with Crostini)
Manchego Cheese, Quince and Marcona Almonds

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Thanksgiving
Starter: Duck Rillette with Crostini
Mini-Parmesan Baskets with Chive Goat Cheese
Soup: Cream of Celery with Stilton Crostini
Main Course: Brined Turkey with Herbs
Chive-Oil Mashed Potatoes
Pear-Spiced Applesauce
Cheese Biscuits with Chives
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Candied Nuts
Dessert: Pumpkin, Apple and Pecan Pie

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Vegetarian

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Winter
Salad: Frisee with Asparagus and Prosciutto
Main Course: Wintery Baked Pasta with Mushrooms
Dessert: Buttery Pound Cake with Ice Cream

Starter: Prosciutto, Basil and Gruyere Palmiers
Main Course: Brie and Cambazola Fondue with Assorted Vegetables
Dessert: Spiced Poached Pears with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream