I need some recipes for quick dinners and dinners for guests?

I need some recipes for some quick suppers and some recipes for when we have company. Here's my situation. I just recently started cooking and I'm having trouble finding things to make. I want quick dinners for during the week. We are expecting family in the next couple of weeks and would really like to show them that I can make a decent supper. They're my in-laws by the way. Any and all suggestions would be wonderful! Thanks in advance!I need some recipes for quick dinners and dinners for guests?
Cook boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large skillet with a little oil about 4 minutes per side on medium heat. Add one chopped onion, cook briefly and add 1 cup of chicken broth. Cook about 3 minutes then add one jar of spaghetti sauce. Turn heat to low, cover and let simmer until chicken is done, approximately 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook some pasta following directions on the box. Drain the pasta and serve the chicken and sauce over the pasta. Serve with a bagged salad and Italian bread and there鈥檚 a meal.


Feeling more energetic? Dip the chicken into beaten egg and roll in bread crumbs %26amp; Parmesan cheese before frying it and call it Chicken Parmigiana. Link for that http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/c鈥?/a>





----





Spanish Rice








1 tablespoon vegetable oil


1 stalk celery, chopped


陆 onion, finely diced


1 clove garlic, minced


1 cup white rice


1 14-oz can diced tomatoes + 陆 can water


2 tablespoons brown sugar


陆 cup salsa


1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce


Salt %26amp; pepper to taste





In a large pot, heat the oil and saut茅 the celery until soft; add the chopped onion and cook until the onion is limp and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.





Add the rice and continue cooking until the rice is well-coated with oil and looks shiny. Add the canned tomatoes, the 陆 can of water, the brown sugar, salsa, Worcestershire sauce and salt %26amp; pepper to taste.





Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer.


Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes 鈥?check to see if the rice is tender and if it requires any additional liquid. It should be fairly dry and not too soupy. Cook an additional 5 minutes and remove from heat. Stir before serving.





----





Ratatouille





6 Tablespoons olive oil


2 large onions, sliced


4 cloves garlic, minced


3 zucchini, sliced


1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced


1 medium eggplant, diced


3 medium tomatoes, quartered


2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped


1/3 cup minced fresh parsley





In a Dutch oven, heat the oil and saut茅 the onions and garlic, until the onions are limp. Add zucchini and red pepper and saut茅 a few minutes longer. Remove from heat and add eggplant, tomatoes, salt and pepper and basil.


Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender


Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately





Makes 6 servings





Source: The Green Thumb Cookbook / Rodale Press





Lazy version: omit tomatoes. Saut茅 the onions and garlic, until the onions are limp. Add zucchini and red pepper and saut茅 a few minutes longer. Add eggplant, salt %26amp; pepper. Pour about half of a 26-oz jar of cheap pasta sauce over it, heat to warm. Serve over cooked pasta.





As you can see, we like our carbs.





Good luck!I need some recipes for quick dinners and dinners for guests?
This is one I actually found on another answer thing today, and I cannot wait to try it out because it sounds sooo goood! But then again, I have pretty unlimited food tastes so I won't be offended if you don't pick mine :) (I haven't actually tried it yet, but I plan to tonight!)





For a quick easy dinner that looks fancy I make stuffed bacon wrapped chicken breasts. Take boneless skinless chicken breast, sprinkle one side with seasoned salt, put a 1 oz square of cream cheese in the center (1/8 of a cream cheese packet), roll the chicken breast up so that the cream cheese is hidden inside, wrap a piece of bacon around lengthwise and one width wise, skewer with toothpicks. Cook for 45 min at 450. If you like your bacon crisp cook it a little before wrapping it around the chicken (not too much or it won't bend) or broil the chicken for the last couple minutes you cook it. Serve with baked potatoes and salad.
I love quick, easy and inexpensive meals that I can serve to my family and to company. I got tired and finding my recipes so I started typing them up and storing them in my computer. I often get requests for my recipes and would forget to print out so I started a website for me, my family, my friends and for anyone who wants to try out my recipes.





My site is www.easy-groundmeat-recipes.com





The website is under construction so I apologize for any inconvenience. For a new cook, I highly recommend the barbeque or Italian meatloaf, Classic Stuffed Green Peppers, Easy Cheeseburger Pie or the Best Beef Chili. All can be easily doubled if need be and hopefully you find these recipes easy to make and Delicious to eat. Check again in a week, as I hope to be adding a few more easy and simple recipes.





Good Luck as a new cook!
Try www.thecookingcloset.com


they have some awesome recipes!!!!
I got married in August, so I've been learning to cook myself. Here are two recipes that I always get rave reviews for, and both are quite easy and cheap!





Appetizer: Sausage Balls





1 pound Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage


1 small pack of Bisquick (about 2 cups)


1 cup of shredded cheese (I use colby jack or sharp cheddar)


Dash of worcestershire and milk





1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown sausage; drain.


2) Combine sausage with biscuit mix, cheese, sauce, and a little milk in a bowl until a thick dough is formed.


3) Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Form dough into small balls and place on sheet. Bake for about 10-14 minutes.





Main course: Taco Soup





1 pound beef


Packet of taco seasoning


Packet of dry ranch dressing mix


1 Can of Rotel


1 Can of corn, drained and rinsed


1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed


1 can of chili beans


2 cups of water





1) Brown beef in dutch oven or a large, deep pot; drain.


2) Add everything else, stir, and cover, simmering on medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn it to low/warm just to keep it warm and your guests can come back for seconds.


3) Serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, guacamole... have a spread out for your guests to dress it as they will





* I like to use spicy chili beans and taco seasoning for ours. This can be varied to tastes, adding onions, peppers, whatever you wish! Very difficult to mess up. :)





Good luck!
For the in-laws, you definitely want things you can prepare ahead!





BONELESS PORK TENDERLOIN


2-4 lb. boned, rolled pork tenderloin


1 TB dry mustard


1 tsp salt


pepper %26amp; paprika


1/2 tsp caraway seed


Rub roast with seasonings. Put roast on a rack in shallow pan. Roast, uncovered, at 350 for 45-50 min per lb (meat thermometer will register 185). Slice thin. This can be served hot, cold or room temp; so you could make it the day ahead ......You might want to make 2 for company





ARTICHOKE RICE SALAD


1 pkg. chicken flavored rice mix (like Rice-a-Roni)


2 green onions, thinly sliced


1/2 green pepper, chopped


8 pimento stuffed olives, thinly sliced


2 6-oz. jars marinated artichoke hearts, cut up


1/4 tsp curry powder


1/2 c. mayonnaise


Make rice per package instructions. Mix everything else into hot rice and mix until blended well. Serve hot, cold or room temp (MAKE AHEAD)





Citrus fruit salad (oranges, ruby red grapefruit, pineapple)





Steamed broccoli or asparagus with just butter %26amp; salt





SUPER FUDGE PIE


1/2 c. butter


2 squares unsweetened chocolate


2 eggs


1 c. sugar


1/4 c. flour


pinch of salt


ice cream or whipped cream to put on top


Melt butter and chocolate together gently. Beat eggs in a bowl and gradually add sugar; add flour %26amp; salt; then combine with chocolate mixture. Pour into ungreased pie pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 min. Cool and freeze. This can be served frozen, with ice cream or whipped cream on top .... DO AHEAD