I'm cooking dinner for friends this weekend (there will only be 4 of us total) and I want to make something yummy. They always have us over for dinner and the hubby used to be a cook, so everything is always super good.
I can either make tilapia in the foil basket things with homemade sweet potato fries and something green (although this seems a bit casual for a dinner event, right?) or
This awesome white bean chili I make, with the help of whole foods already prepared chili ingredients. This is very tasty and super easy so I could spend some time making some fancier side dishes and/or appetizers.
Any thoughts on which one I should go with and what should go with each thing? I'm leaning towards the chili (no meat) but I have no idea what to make with it. I wonder if I should cook some sausages on the side for the meat eaters?
I really like dc's white bean bruschetta recipe but does that go with chili or too many white beans? Ugh. I'm lost...
We do the white bean chili, and sometimes add chicken breast which is good. Usually serve with a yummy green salad and grilled pita bread with hummus on the side.
"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
this is exactly what I was going to suggest. I'd also add the sausage--I like that idea b/c it might make it more filling for the guys or heavy eaters. if you need help finding a yummy salad, let me know. i'm thinking maybe sommething with avocado, bacon and mozzarella? Add a yummy dessert and your set (maybe something summery like strawberry shortcake using yummy fresh strawberries).
also, do you mind posting the chili recipe? A whole foods just opened within walking distance from my house and I can't wait to start shopping there.
the tilapia idea might be good too but i don't eat fist so i can't really comment on it. i think you sound more confident about your chile recipe, so that would be perfect.
shopgirl82 wrote: a salad and cornbread. this is exactly what I was going to suggest. I'd also add the sausage--I like that idea b/c it might make it more filling for the guys or heavy eaters. if you need help finding a yummy salad, let me know. i'm thinking maybe sommething with avocado, bacon and mozzarella? Add a yummy dessert and your set (maybe something summery like strawberry shortcake using yummy fresh strawberries). also, do you mind posting the chili recipe? A whole foods just opened within walking distance from my house and I can't wait to start shopping there. the tilapia idea might be good too but i don't eat fist so i can't really comment on it. i think you sound more confident about your chile recipe, so that would be perfect. -- Edited by alb at 09:35, 2006-04-11
alb - if you have any yummy salad recipes, I'll gladly take them. Turns out the dinner outing got moved to next weekend, which is better because I'll have more time to plan. I love salads with fruit in them and stinky cheese. Yummy!
As for the chili recipe, I'm not sure there really is one. I bought a chili started veggie set at Whole Foods (has onions, spices, squash, corn, etc. in it) for about $5. I only half read the directions on the package and when I got home I realized I didn't have half the things it called for so I improvised. I added 1 can of broth (I used veggie but any will do), 1 can of chickpeas, and 1 can of white beans. I cooked it in a big pot on the stove until the veggies got to the firmness I wanted and voila! white bean chili. Seriously so good. And in case you can't tell, seriously easy.
Blubirde--I don't have any tried and true salad recipes that I love but I found these on allrecipes for you. I am going to use one of them (not sure which) for my brunch this weekend.
toasted walnuts, mandarin oranges (can or regular), dried cranberries (crasins), and feta, blue or gorgonzola cheese. i toss it in a raspberry vinegarette dressing.
as for cornbread, if you want to do it, you could do a jalepeno chedder, or use real corn (or canned corn) in it to make them taste "fancier".
i suggest serving it with a shiner (since they don't ship them to chicago and that's what i would serve with it)!
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots