What to cook for mother-in-law...?!
Her and I don't get along too well!. She just moved into her own place after living with her sister for a while so she's all alone at home and I want to invite her over for dinner sometime!. I just don't know what to make!. I don't think she has any allergies, and will eat just about anything!. She really likes pasta, but the dishes I know how to make are kind of simple!. I want to try something easy, but impressionable!. I can cook just about anything but steaks!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
When creating a menu, focus not only on the main course, but what side dishes you can serve that will compliment it!. For example, If you WERE to make a pasta, would you accompany it with some garlic bread!? Bruschetta!? Ceasar Salad!? If you plan out an overall "theme" for the menu, it will take the whole experience to another "impressive" level!.
I have the perfect cooking website for you to check out, "Thepioneerwomancooks!.com"!. She makes FABULOUS dishes, provides detailed explanations & pictures, and is very user friendly!. I found this website when I decided to make my first lasagna!.!. she calls hers the "Best Lasagna Ever"!. I tried it, and she was right!! I refer back to the website whenever I want to try something different for dinner or guests!. There is a great variety that appeals to the "male" and the "female" palette's!.
Bon Appetit!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I have the perfect cooking website for you to check out, "Thepioneerwomancooks!.com"!. She makes FABULOUS dishes, provides detailed explanations & pictures, and is very user friendly!. I found this website when I decided to make my first lasagna!.!. she calls hers the "Best Lasagna Ever"!. I tried it, and she was right!! I refer back to the website whenever I want to try something different for dinner or guests!. There is a great variety that appeals to the "male" and the "female" palette's!.
Bon Appetit!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Lasagna is slightly easier than manicotti, but if you want something besides pasta, why not a nice roasted chicken!? Just blend herbs with butter or olive oil and rub all over the washed and dried bird and roast at 350F for 1 1/2 hours, basting with remaining herb mixture occasionally!. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Its not that hard! Especially that you've done it, it will be easier next time cause you know what to expect now!.!.!.
Video recipes: 2 children making it!.!. it can be fun see!
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=f1WkHRR1R!.!.!.
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=9IVhzMHBB!.!.!.
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=A0KJKg7_8!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Video recipes: 2 children making it!.!. it can be fun see!
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=f1WkHRR1R!.!.!.
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=9IVhzMHBB!.!.!.
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=A0KJKg7_8!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Bake a whole chicken in the oven and fix pasta salad(pasta9 the curly noodles), italian dressing, cumcumber, and tomato) and have corn, and then a simple desert such as brownies or cookies!Www@FoodAQ@Com
use a pre packed mix and follow the directions for any chicken or mince dish and add pasta sauce with the pasta!.!. you have a great meal for low cost and not much effort and looks fantastic!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Www@FoodAQ@Com
you can make chicken parmigana!. its simple but tastes good!Www@FoodAQ@Com
baked ziti
boil ziti noodles
mix in itialian sausage
mix with pasta sauce
put in baking dish, cover with mozzarella and bake at 350 until cheese is melted or to your liking!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
boil ziti noodles
mix in itialian sausage
mix with pasta sauce
put in baking dish, cover with mozzarella and bake at 350 until cheese is melted or to your liking!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Tamales!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!.!.!. :)Www@FoodAQ@Com
OLIVE GARDEN
Pesto Sauce:
Ingredients
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Romano cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Procedures
1!. PLACE pine nuts, garlic, basil and oil in a food processor and pulse until finely blended!.
2!. TRANSFER pesto from food processor to bowl!. Add all remaining ingredients!.
3!. TOSS with your favorite pasta or chill and use in 2-3 days!.
2 dozen Italian tomatoes, or 12 cups chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped carrot
2 tablespoons chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1!. Wash, core, and coarsely chop the tomatoes!.
2!. Puree in the bowl of a food processor!.
3!. Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan or an ovenproof, flameproof casserole and sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes!.
4!. Add the garlic, pepper, carrot, celery and herbs!.
5!. Add the tomato puree to the mixture and simmer, uncovered, for about 2 hours!. Be careful not to let it burn!. Stir the sauce occasionally as it thickens!. (This process can also be completed in an uncovered ovenproof, flameproof casserole at 350o %)!.
6!. Cool slightly and pour the sauce into 1-cup freezer containers, leaving ? inch of headspace!. Label and freeze the sauce for up to 3 months!.
7!. To use, thaw in the refrigerator!.
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Alfredo
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup imported Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup imported Romano cheese, grated
6 egg yolks from fresh jumbo eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste
Procedures
1!. HEAT milk and cream in a heavy bottom saucepan until it begins to simmer!. Turn off heat!. Slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat!.
2!. PLACE egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of the hot milk and cream mixture!. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into remaining cream mixture!. Place back on very low heat and continually stir until simmering!. Take sauce off heat so it thickens!. (This will increase temperature of egg yolks, known as tempering)!.
3!. SEASON to taste with salt and black pepper!. Serve over your favorite pasta!.
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Appetizers:
Bruschetta
Ingredients
4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 garlic clove, cut in half
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
10 medium fresh basil leaves, chopped
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 slices crusty Italian bread
Extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle)
Procedures
1!. COMBINE diced tomatoes and chopped garlic in a mixing bowl!. Season with salt & pepper to taste!. Add half of chopped basil and 4 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil!.
2!. DRIZZLE both sides of bread slices with extra virgin olive oil!. Grill bread lightly on both sides!.
3!. RUB grilled bread with cut half of garlic clove to infuse with flavor!. Top each slice with tomato mixture!.
4!. GARNISH with remaining chopped basil and serve immediately!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Pesto Sauce:
Ingredients
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Romano cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Procedures
1!. PLACE pine nuts, garlic, basil and oil in a food processor and pulse until finely blended!.
2!. TRANSFER pesto from food processor to bowl!. Add all remaining ingredients!.
3!. TOSS with your favorite pasta or chill and use in 2-3 days!.
2 dozen Italian tomatoes, or 12 cups chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped carrot
2 tablespoons chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1!. Wash, core, and coarsely chop the tomatoes!.
2!. Puree in the bowl of a food processor!.
3!. Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan or an ovenproof, flameproof casserole and sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes!.
4!. Add the garlic, pepper, carrot, celery and herbs!.
5!. Add the tomato puree to the mixture and simmer, uncovered, for about 2 hours!. Be careful not to let it burn!. Stir the sauce occasionally as it thickens!. (This process can also be completed in an uncovered ovenproof, flameproof casserole at 350o %)!.
6!. Cool slightly and pour the sauce into 1-cup freezer containers, leaving ? inch of headspace!. Label and freeze the sauce for up to 3 months!.
7!. To use, thaw in the refrigerator!.
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Alfredo
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup imported Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup imported Romano cheese, grated
6 egg yolks from fresh jumbo eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste
Procedures
1!. HEAT milk and cream in a heavy bottom saucepan until it begins to simmer!. Turn off heat!. Slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat!.
2!. PLACE egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of the hot milk and cream mixture!. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into remaining cream mixture!. Place back on very low heat and continually stir until simmering!. Take sauce off heat so it thickens!. (This will increase temperature of egg yolks, known as tempering)!.
3!. SEASON to taste with salt and black pepper!. Serve over your favorite pasta!.
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Appetizers:
Bruschetta
Ingredients
4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 garlic clove, cut in half
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
10 medium fresh basil leaves, chopped
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 slices crusty Italian bread
Extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle)
Procedures
1!. COMBINE diced tomatoes and chopped garlic in a mixing bowl!. Season with salt & pepper to taste!. Add half of chopped basil and 4 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil!.
2!. DRIZZLE both sides of bread slices with extra virgin olive oil!. Grill bread lightly on both sides!.
3!. RUB grilled bread with cut half of garlic clove to infuse with flavor!. Top each slice with tomato mixture!.
4!. GARNISH with remaining chopped basil and serve immediately!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Thyme And Citrus Baked Salmon Filets Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
2 fresh salmon filets
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh grated orange ring
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400!.
Put oil on bottom of baking dish and rub salmon in oil!.
Combine thyme and orange rind then rub over fish!.
Season with salt and pepper!.
Bake 18 minutes!.
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Squash And Rice Salad Recipe
Ingredients
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 assorted small summer squash dice
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves crushed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cups steamed rice cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Chopped lettuce leaves as needed
Directions
In a frying pan over high heat warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil!.
Add one-third each of the squash and season to taste with salt and pepper!.
Sauté stirring often until lightly browned and slightly soft then transfer to a bowl!.
Cook remaining squash in 2 batches in the same way using 2 tablespoons oil with each batch!.
Let the squashes cool!.
In the same frying pan heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat!.
Add onion and sauté until lightly golden!.
Stir in the garlic and cook briefly!.
Add the cumin then reduce heat to low and sauté for 2 minutes longer!.
Add to the bowl holding the squash then add vinegar, rice and parsley and toss to mix well!.
To serve line individual plates with lettuce leaves and spoon the salad on top!.
------------------------
Dijon Mushroom Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
1 medium white onion chopped
1 medium green bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 small carrot peeled and grated
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup beef stock
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 baked potatoes
Directions
In a large frying pan sauté vegetables in stock until most of the liquid is gone then mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and add to the vegetables in the pan!.
Mix well and cook stirring constantly over low heat for 1 minute then pour over hot split baked potatoes
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Sensational Baked Leek Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
8 large leeks
1 small white onion
1/3 cup butter
2 cups tomato juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Prepare leeks and keep them whole!.
Skin onion and chop finely!.
Melt 1/2 of the butter and fry leeks and onion until leeks are just gilded and onion is transparent!.
Transfer to ovenproof casserole which will hold the leeks in 2 layers!.
Pour tomato juice over leeks!.
Combine Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and sugar and mix well!.
Drizzle over tomato juice!.
Dot with remaining butter!.
Cover casserole and bake at 350 for 1 hour!.
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ranch chicken
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
3/4 cup bottled creamy ranch dressing
Directions
1Dip chicken into ranch dressing then into bread crumbs!.
2Place in a 9x13 baking dish!.
3Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
2 fresh salmon filets
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh grated orange ring
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400!.
Put oil on bottom of baking dish and rub salmon in oil!.
Combine thyme and orange rind then rub over fish!.
Season with salt and pepper!.
Bake 18 minutes!.
--------------------
Squash And Rice Salad Recipe
Ingredients
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 assorted small summer squash dice
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves crushed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cups steamed rice cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Chopped lettuce leaves as needed
Directions
In a frying pan over high heat warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil!.
Add one-third each of the squash and season to taste with salt and pepper!.
Sauté stirring often until lightly browned and slightly soft then transfer to a bowl!.
Cook remaining squash in 2 batches in the same way using 2 tablespoons oil with each batch!.
Let the squashes cool!.
In the same frying pan heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat!.
Add onion and sauté until lightly golden!.
Stir in the garlic and cook briefly!.
Add the cumin then reduce heat to low and sauté for 2 minutes longer!.
Add to the bowl holding the squash then add vinegar, rice and parsley and toss to mix well!.
To serve line individual plates with lettuce leaves and spoon the salad on top!.
------------------------
Dijon Mushroom Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
1 medium white onion chopped
1 medium green bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 small carrot peeled and grated
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup beef stock
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 baked potatoes
Directions
In a large frying pan sauté vegetables in stock until most of the liquid is gone then mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and add to the vegetables in the pan!.
Mix well and cook stirring constantly over low heat for 1 minute then pour over hot split baked potatoes
-------------------
Sensational Baked Leek Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
8 large leeks
1 small white onion
1/3 cup butter
2 cups tomato juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Prepare leeks and keep them whole!.
Skin onion and chop finely!.
Melt 1/2 of the butter and fry leeks and onion until leeks are just gilded and onion is transparent!.
Transfer to ovenproof casserole which will hold the leeks in 2 layers!.
Pour tomato juice over leeks!.
Combine Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and sugar and mix well!.
Drizzle over tomato juice!.
Dot with remaining butter!.
Cover casserole and bake at 350 for 1 hour!.
------------
ranch chicken
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
3/4 cup bottled creamy ranch dressing
Directions
1Dip chicken into ranch dressing then into bread crumbs!.
2Place in a 9x13 baking dish!.
3Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Hi Nympheta, Seeming it's your mother in law you love so much I could suggest something, but it would be worth 15 years to life for me!.
The way to impress is keeping what you cook simple, it's all in the presentation!. You could start with an Antipasto Italiano (cold cuts, cheese, black and green olives, giadiniara, on a bed of lettuce)!. This you can pre-prep and refrigerate!. Okay go with the pasta, if it was me I would throw in a handful of chili flakes in the sauce, but its you!. Prepare your sauce as normal , but instead of the normal mince, use a couple of italian pork sausages remove the skins and brown the meat well!.
As for the pasta, I have used that pasta that is about three foot long, so when she slurps the pasta she will slurp her lungs out also!.!.!.!.!.!.
The only thing other would be a nice gelato, and an espresso!.
For goodness sake, if your going to go Italian on this one, A bottle of home made vino or a nice bottle of red (italian of course)!.
I might sound anti mother in law (do cows give you milk) or mean, but I think you sound like you need a good laugh!.
Regards and good luck (ear plugs are a requirement)!.
ChrisWww@FoodAQ@Com
The way to impress is keeping what you cook simple, it's all in the presentation!. You could start with an Antipasto Italiano (cold cuts, cheese, black and green olives, giadiniara, on a bed of lettuce)!. This you can pre-prep and refrigerate!. Okay go with the pasta, if it was me I would throw in a handful of chili flakes in the sauce, but its you!. Prepare your sauce as normal , but instead of the normal mince, use a couple of italian pork sausages remove the skins and brown the meat well!.
As for the pasta, I have used that pasta that is about three foot long, so when she slurps the pasta she will slurp her lungs out also!.!.!.!.!.!.
The only thing other would be a nice gelato, and an espresso!.
For goodness sake, if your going to go Italian on this one, A bottle of home made vino or a nice bottle of red (italian of course)!.
I might sound anti mother in law (do cows give you milk) or mean, but I think you sound like you need a good laugh!.
Regards and good luck (ear plugs are a requirement)!.
ChrisWww@FoodAQ@Com
