Entertaining Menu

This is a fabulous entertaining menu for a large group! It is flavorful, relatively easy to prepare and presents beautifully. We prepared and served 60-70 servings for an elegant Christmas Dinner just last week.

Appetizer:
Bruschetta with Sliced Baguettes

Main Menu:
Roasted Chicken with Capers, Olives and Plums
Rosemary Roasted Red Poatoes
Mixed Spring Greens with Cucumber, Carrots and Onions
Homemade salad dressings: vinaigrette & creamy buttermilk

Dessert: (we were outside at this point)
Hot Chocolate and Wasail
Biscotti

The flavors in this dish are rich and elegant, yet it is easy to prepare: all the prep work for the chicken is done the previous day, and left to marinate overnight... making the day of your party more relaxing. AND if you are scared of the dried plums... please don't be! After roasting with all the other ingredients they meld in graceously and add the perfect touch to the dish. If your guest don't want to try them... they can just scoot them aside (as a garnish) and still enjoy the rest of the dish. The chicken comes out moist and flavorful, the roasted plums are smooth in your mouth, and the olives and capers lend that earthy note that balances it all out. The sauce is so delicious that you'll want some bread on the side to soak up the last drops on your plate.

Chicken with Capers, Olives and Plums

adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook (Marbella Chicken)

This recipe can be made with all breast, all thighs and legs, or a mixture of the three, depending on your taste preferences and budget. Serve it with the rosemary roasted red potatoes or something that can soak up the sauce like polenta, orzo, angel hair pasta, or mashed potatoes.

1 (12-ounce) package pitted, bite-size dried plums
1 (4 ounce) jar capers
1 (0.5-ounce) bottle dried oregano
6 bay leaves
1 garlic bulb, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 1/2 cups pimento-stuffed olives
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
2 teaspoons pepper
8 pounds mixed chicken pieces
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup dry white wine (or substitute: ½ c white grape juice and ½ c chicken broth)
Garnish each plate with a sprig of parsley

Combine first 10 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat well; cover and chill for at least 8 hours (overnight is best), turning chicken occasionally.
Arrange chicken in a single layer in one sheet pan or two 13- x 9-inch baking pan(s). Pour marinade evenly over chicken, and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar; pour wine (or wine substitute) around pieces.
Bake at 350° for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently. When done, it should be between 170-180 degrees and the juices should run clear.
Remove chicken, dried plums, olives, and capers from the sheet pan and place into a serving dish. Drizzle with pan juices. Garnish with parsley.

Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds small red potatoes, quartered into ½ inch pieces (about 8 cups)
2 garlic cloves minced (or 2 tsp bottled minced garlic)
2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss potatoes, oil, garlic and rosemary on a rimmed metal baking sheet. Spread out potatoes in a single layer; season with salt and pepper. Roast, stirring once halfway through cooking, until potatoes are golden brown and crisp outside and tender inside, about 35 minutes.

Tomato Bruschetta

I really love this bruschetta. You can make it the day before, and let it sit in the fridge so that the flavors mary well. It is best served with warmed Naan bread for dipping, but the traditional sliced baguette works well too. Be sure to consistantly petite-dice the tomatoes. It really makes a difference in presentation and with the ease of scooping it up on your bread. Best served at room temperature.

I made some and took it with us on our last camping trip. It was the perfect "sit around the campfire" snack. If you do this, wrap your Naan bread in foil and toss it on to hot coals in your fire pit for a few minutes until warmed.

Next time I make it I will have to take some pictures!

6 roma tomatoes, petite chopped

1/2 c sundried tomatoes, packed in oil, chopped
2-3 cloves minced garlic
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 c fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 c finely chopped red onion

Combine all the ingredients. It is best if it can sit in the fridge for at least a few hours or over night.

Vinaigrette
Yield: 6 tablespoons (serving size: 1 1/2 tablespoons)

1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Combine vinegar, shallots, salt, Dijon mustard, and pepper. Gradually add olive oil, stirring until incorporated.

Hominy and Bean Chili

Sometimes dinner-time can sneak up on you. Next time it does, try making this chili. All of the ingredients can be kept on-hand and it comes together REALLY quickly. Pair it with cornbread, and you can put it all together while the cornbread is in the oven! I like this chili becuase it's fast, easy and the flavor is just right. The chili powder is not too overwhelming, the tomatoes lend just enough sweetness, and the hominy are a welcomed treat. Even my non-chili-loving-husband gave it a thumbs up! Not bad for dinner on a whim.





Hominy and Bean Chili (adapted from Cooking Light)

1/2 pound extra lean hamburger (optional)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (do not use oil if adding meat)
2 large cloves of garlic, minced (or 2 tsps. bottled minced garlic)
3 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15.5-ounce) can white hominy, drained
1 (15-ounce) can red beans, drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped

Toppings:
cilantro
diced tomatos
minced white onion
monterey jack cheese
low-fat sour cream

Preparation
(If using meat in the chili: First, brown the meat, adding the garlic at the last minute. Then add the rest the ingredients as stated below.)

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in chili powder and next 5 ingredients (chili powder through stewed tomatoes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Serves 4 (1 1/4 servings)

Serve it with your favorite cornbread (or try the recipe below), and some cut up fruit or a green salad.
Buttermilk Cornbread

1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Preparation
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together egg and next 2 ingredients; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Pour batter into 8x8 pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until golden.

Roasted Mediterranean Chicken

This dish is great roasted in your oven at home or in the "dutch" over hot coals out in the woods. When camping, I serve it with a ceasar salad, fire-roasted butternut squash, and garlic bread. My husband teases me that we should be roasting hot dogs instead, but he never complains when the food is hot and ready! This is also a great meal to bring to a friend or neighbor in need. It has that "make-ahead" appeal; you can make it early, clean up your mess, then toss it in the oven about 45 minutes before dinner!


This is a pre-roasted picture. It smelled too good to stop and take a picture of it after it was done! There's nothing like good food on a campout.

Roasted Mediterranean Chicken

1 1/4 cups reduced fat refrigerated Alfredo Sauce (I know a "cheater" ingredient!!) Don't use the bottled stuff.
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 garlic cloves, crushed

4 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
8 small red potatoes (about 1 pound)
4 plum tomatoes, quartered
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
10 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 large pitted ripe olives, quartered
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 450°.

Combine first 6 ingredients. Arrange chicken in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Brush 3/4 cup sauce mixture over chicken. Arrange potatoes, tomatoes, artichokes, and 10 garlic cloves around chicken. Brush vegetables with 1/3 cup sauce mixture. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary and olives. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Brush chicken and vegetables with remaining sauce mixture; bake an ad-ditional 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and 1 1/2 cups vegetables)