s/o Dinner Guest Favorites

[kadams767]

Another s/o of the dinner guest threads...

When you go to dinner or parties at someone else's house, what is your favorite thing to be served? Anything that you always hope will show up on the menu? Besides alcohol, lol.

[Deleted]

No. Variety is the spice of life.

[Deleted]

I have no preferences.

But I have been asked to bring the same salad to a friend's house at least 3 times. I kind of LOL that our signature dish is salad. But it's REALLY GOOD.

[salbert79]

May 22, 2012 12:29:59 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

I have no preferences.

But I have been asked to bring the same salad to a friend's house at least 3 times. I kind of LOL that our signature dish is salad. But it's REALLY GOOD.

Share this deliciousness with us!

[heygrey]

depends whose house it is. all of my friends are good cooks, but the each have their specialty.

last night i was pumped that my friend made coleslaw. it's a pretty generic dish in general, but his is amazing.

[Brie]

It depends who we're visiting. If we're visiting my aunt, I'm going to hope for her lasagna, because it's awesome. If it's MIL, I hope she orders pizza because she's a terrible cook. But there is no one across-the-board "I hope they serve X!"

I do get annoyed when there is no dessert, though. A nice dinner feels incomplete without something sweet at the end.

[Deleted]

I must have low expectations because I am happy if there is any type of substantial food beyond chips, veggies, and dip.

[UnderProtest]

I don't have one dish I want people to make....more so I want them to make their specialities. I want my mil to make her mashed potatoes because they are so buttery and yummy. I want my mom to make here guacamole layer dip because the rest of her food is kind of blah. I have made a reputation in my neighborhood for making ice cream, so that is often requested of me. But I think that is because most people haven't have homemade ice cream.

[Doctorblue]

Nope. I'm not super picky so I like trying out different dishes.

[Deleted]

Not really, I'll eat just about anything.

[ssmjlm]

No, but I've had people request I make/bring things.

[drloretta]

When we visit my one brother and SIL, I love it when she makes grilled artichokes. They taste like summer to me, and I know I'm back in CA.

Our family has an orzo salad recipe that is a hit at potlucks and lunches, so I look forward to someone making that when we get together.

Other than that, I'm pretty open minded to whatever's served. I've gotten some nice surprises over the years.

[Deleted]

May 22, 2012 12:31:03 GMT -5 salbert79 said:

May 22, 2012 12:29:59 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

I have no preferences.

But I have been asked to bring the same salad to a friend's house at least 3 times. I kind of LOL that our signature dish is salad. But it's REALLY GOOD.

Share this deliciousness with us!

Dressing:
2 tablespoons diced red onion
2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard (Inglehoffer is what we use)
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon, minced fresh basil
1 tablespoon, minced fresh oregano
1 tablespoon, minced fresh cilantro (really, you can eyeball all 3 of the herbs)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup honey

Place all of the above in a blender and blend until it makes a
paste-like substance. Then, using 2 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil, turn the blender on, and slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsion. Double check the taste and adjust seasoning, particularly salt, if necessary.

Our best batch was the last batch when I used a pricier olive oil. It's worth spending the extra on something boutique for the dressing.

Salad:
Leafy greens (we usually use spring mix)
Dried cranberries
Toasted almonds
Crumbled goat cheese

Top with dressing. Toss. Be careful not to overdress the salad.

You can use different ingredients. For example, my mom uses feta (yuck). But I find that some kind of dried fruit, nuts, and soft cheese work really well with the sweet-tangy dressing.

[CloudBee]

Doesn't matter. Just don't give me a hard time if all I want to drink is water.

[highlarious]

May 22, 2012 14:38:33 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Doesn't matter. Just don't give me a hard time if all I want to drink is water.

I am with you on this 100%. I genuinely prefer water to any other beverage, but this is inconceivable to some! What's so difficult to understand? I just really want to drink water, please and thank you

[midwest071]

I am not so much hopeful/picky about what there is to eat, just that it's prepared well. I am a pescatarian, so people often try to accommodate me (even when I tell them they don't need to) by making some sort of seafood dish. Unfortunately, many people don't know how to cook seafood very well, so it makes me nervous it will be over/under-done, have odd seasonings, etc. But I feel obliged to eat it because they went to the effort.

I am also picky about having things ready to eat at the same time. I hate when something that is supposed to be hot has been sitting on the table for 20 minutes before you eat and not covered or kept warm. When we host parties, this is something I am very particular about - which annoys my DH because he has a hard time estimating when the items he is cooking will be ready.