Ideas for Book Club Dinner Menu
I'm hosting my book club dinner the first week of February. So, definitely red/pink/white centerpiece, etc. I'm trying to think of a nice, foolproof menu.Last month we had a chicken casserole and vegetables. The month before was a nice soup and bread. Someone else is bringing the appetizer and dessert. I only need to provide the main course, sides, and drinks. Ideas?
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How about a pasta casserole? Combine cooked meat,onions,pasta sauce; layer it with cooked pasta and layer of mozzarella. Add a nice green salad with pears and dried cranberries with champagne dressing, have some good bread...you're done. No last minute stuff to do,can easily make it to serve any number of folks,what's not to like? I fed this often to my quilting group.
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Baked ravioli, always a hit. A little more chic than ziti.
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I just hosted my quilting bee and had: Potato Soup, Ham and Swiss Sliders and Homemade Macaroons
Everyone loved it. Could do everything ahead of time and cooked soup in the crock-pot . The easiest luncheon I have ever done. |
Thanks for all the great ideas. I really do need to have most or all of it done ahead of time so I'm not stressed after work trying to get it on the table.
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We just had GNO or I should say GN In -- had potato soup done in a crockpot and then bowls of garnishes - chives, cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and croutons. Served with French bread and a fruit salad. Yummy!!!!
If you want you can do individual servings in a bread bowl. |
If you have read Caroly Hart books, the lead character is a caterer and the recipes she makes fotr the parties, weddings, etc, are always in the book. Kinda of goes with the theme as it would be for a book club and the recipe came from a non cookbook.
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Lasagna. You can make it ahead and freeze it and then just get it out and cook it. I also have a recipe for a baked spaghetti casserole that can be frozen. You just get it out of the freezer the night before and let it sit at room temperature 1/2 hour before cooking. If you need the recipe I'll post it.
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One thing some book clubs think about is if there is a food theme in the book that can be used. That can add a bit of additional fun. Even if it's just little samples of something in the book that you've never tried.
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I just hosted a bunco party and served taco salads. Made taco bowls with the new pan that has been advertised and then had all the fixings (meat, refried beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, guacamole and sour cream) and everyone made their own salad. Guests brought desserts.
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Our book club plans the meal around the book. We have had some fantastic dinners over the years. Just think about the book and plan the dinner from there.
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Originally Posted by Quilt-Till-U-Wilt
(Post 5802390)
Lasagna. You can make it ahead and freeze it and then just get it out and cook it. I also have a recipe for a baked spaghetti casserole that can be frozen. You just get it out of the freezer the night before and let it sit at room temperature 1/2 hour before cooking. If you need the recipe I'll post it.
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Can you tie it to the book you are discussing?
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I had to laugh when several people suggested choosing something to tie the meal to the book. I have a friend who hosted her book club the month they read "The Help". She served chocolate pie for dessert. If you have read that book, you will know why I laughed.
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Would you post your menu when you have your meeting? Our book club has a horrible time with its lunches. We serve 25 ladies, and have two Celiacs, 3 diabetics, and several on diets who are very picky. We have to have at least one non sweet dessert, one non-wheat/gluten main dish. And heaven help us if we repeat a dish too soon. Good luck with your menu.
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"We just had GNO or I should say GN In -- had potato soup done in a crockpot and then bowls of garnishes - chives, cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and croutons. Served with French bread and a fruit salad. Yummy!!!!"
This sounds delicious what potato soup recipe do you have for the crockpot? |
Originally Posted by TanyaL
(Post 5806808)
Would you post your menu when you have your meeting? Our book club has a horrible time with its lunches. We serve 25 ladies, and have two Celiacs, 3 diabetics, and several on diets who are very picky. We have to have at least one non sweet dessert, one non-wheat/gluten main dish. And heaven help us if we repeat a dish too soon. Good luck with your menu.
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Originally Posted by TanyaL
(Post 5806808)
Would you post your menu when you have your meeting? Our book club has a horrible time with its lunches. We serve 25 ladies, and have two Celiacs, 3 diabetics, and several on diets who are very picky. We have to have at least one non sweet dessert, one non-wheat/gluten main dish. And heaven help us if we repeat a dish too soon. Good luck with your menu.
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Originally Posted by Quilt-Till-U-Wilt
(Post 5802390)
Lasagna. You can make it ahead and freeze it and then just get it out and cook it. I also have a recipe for a baked spaghetti casserole that can be frozen. You just get it out of the freezer the night before and let it sit at room temperature 1/2 hour before cooking. If you need the recipe I'll post it.
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Baked Spaghetti
1 16 oz. pk. of spaghetti 1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef 1 large (48 ounce) jar of spaghetti sauce 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 cup milk 2 cups mozzerella cheese Cook spaghetti. Brown ground beef and drain. Add spaghetti sauce to beef. Combine soup and milk. In 2- 8 inch square pans layer- meat mix, spaghetti, soup mix, then cheese. Repeat layer. Cover one casserole and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake remaining casserole at 350 for 55-65 minutes, To use frozen casserole, thaw in fridge overnight. Set out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Can use a 9x13 pan if you don't want to divide. |
I will be hosting our bookclub in March. Some really great ideas. I like the idea of cooking with the book in mind.
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I would love Rueben sandwiches with chips.
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