Gift Idea: A dinner Party!

Fun idea. We've done similar things for charitable auctions (a friend who used to run a restaurant in Paris did dinner, I supplied wines, etc). Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Hi Rick, It was fabulous, but the "kitchen help" (us) had to grab a bite and take a sip whenever we had a chance. Hope you enjoy. Dick

Chicken Wellington

1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 4 oz fresh mushrooms, chopped 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crumbled 1/4 tsp dried marjoram, crumbled 3 T. butter 3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped 6 boneless,skinless, chicken breast halves and flatten to 1/4" thickness 1/2 tsp salt 1 pkg frozen puff pastry 1 egg beaten 1 T water Cook mushrooms, thyme and marjoram in butter until tender; combine with spinach and eggs, Set aside. Cut each sheet of pastry in thirds and using a rolling pin, roll each piece into a 8 X 6 inch rectangle. Sprinkle salt over chicken. Spoon 1/2 cup spinach mixture on each piece of flattened chicken, spreading to within 1/2 " of edges. Roll up; place, seam side down, on pastry. Fold up sides of pastry to center. Fold up remaining pastry over chicken, pinching edges together to seal. Arrange seam side down on lightly greased jelly roll pan. Combine egg with water; brush over pastry. Refrigerate, covered, 2 to 24 hours. Bake, uncovered, in a 400 degree oven 40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil, bake 10 to 15 minutes longer. Serve with Creamy Wine Sauce. Serves 6 Creamy Wine Sauce Melt 3 T. butter, stir in 3 T. flour, 1/2 tsp salt and dash white pepper. Gradually stir in 1 1/2 Cups half & half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil; boil and stir 1 min. Stir in 1/3 Cup dry white wine. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese until melted. Makes 1 3/4 Cups

Crab Cakes

2 pounds crabmeat 1/3 Cup mayonaise 1 1/2 T. Dijon mustard 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 T. fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning 1/2 Cups fresh bread crumbs 2 T. chopped parsley 2 T. finely chopped green onions 1 tsp. finely grated lemon peel 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/4 flour 1/4 Cup peanut oil

Combine all ingredients except crab in a large bowl. Gently fold in crabmeat. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Portion into 3 1/2 oz cakes. Lightly flour, shaking off any excess. (May refrigerate at this point until ready to cook) Saute' in hot peanut oil oil until golden brown on both sides and thoughly heated. Serve immediately. 6 Servings

My mother has been doing the same thing for the last decade or so for her church's annual "services auction." Typically, 4 couples will bid up to $50 per head, so it's become quite the cash cow for her church. We were just talking about her menu over Xmas, but I honestly don't remember what she's cooked up (pun intended) this year. I think that New Zealand lamb figured prominently in there, though...

Mark Lipton