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We just smoked a whole beef brisket yesterday - easiest ever. Took me less than five minutes start to finish for the prep which was basically just trimming back the fat, applying a homemade rub, and sticking in the smoker all day. Was finished just in time for dinner. It was a real crowd pleaser too.
I like to make Jamie Oliver’s spaghetti Bolognese, the sauce sits in the oven for 90 minutes which gives me time to get ready, and I like to serve it with bucatini. I will also add a green salad and crusty bread. I don’t typically get surprise guests, but I would probably have most of the ingredients for this on hand if I did. Otherwise it would probably be mushroom ravioli because I always have those in the fridge.
Lasagne where you don't pr-cook the noodles...you buy the kind that is specialty no pre-cook. Layer them with the sauce and cheese mixture (ricotta, egg, parmessa), cover with foil and bake.
Also...stromboli. You wouldn't believe what a crowd pleaser this is, and it's not that hard. The only time intensive part is making the dough. Otherwise, just layer the ham, pepperoni, cheese, onions, etc. You'd think it would be complicated, but it is really not. I learned to make them by the dozens at the school where I work!
Last edited by Mrs. Skeffington; 11-15-2017 at 01:00 PM..
Either brisket in the crockpot or pulled pork in the crockpot. Both can be made the day before and heated up on the day of the gathering. I usually serve on slider buns with cole slaw or potato salad on the side.
I just went on girls' weekend trip, an each of us was responsible for a meal. I was preparing to come up with some fancy complex menu to "impress" everyone, but then they requested that I make my salsa chicken. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to do something a little fancier, but I went with it. Turned out to be a good thing, because it meant I could spend more time hanging out with them than hanging out at the stove.
It's literally chicken breasts, an envelope of taco seasoning, drained/rinsed black beans, drained corn, and a jar of whatever salsa you like (we went with peach mango). 3-4 hrs on high or 6-8 hrs on low. Shred the chicken once it's cooked. It can be served over rice, or on nachos, or in tacos. I put out some cheese, cilantro, sour cream, and lime wedges. It disappeared fast! And it was cheap!
Dry brine pork chops or chicken pieces for a couple of hours, uncovered in the fridge. Hand them to your grill master, and have him grill them.
Make a salad. Bake some potatoes or cook rice in the rice cooker.
Sit down down to a nice meal.
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