Yall some cranky bitches this morning for some reason, so here's something a little less controversial...

We're throwing a dinner party sometime in the next month or so for about 10 people total, and I wonder if anyone has any great ideas for some fancy grub. I wanna have courses, so portions will be small, but it's pretty variable.

I was gonna make sushi to start, and then a salad of some sort, but after that... help?

I posted my own pork chop recipe HERE.

And Phil (epa) posted his own, delicious-looking recipe for the same meat there, as well.

I saw those, and they were helpful. Much appreciated!

what do you like? and more importantly, what do your guests like?

I want something light, nothing too heavy. And it'd be helpful if meat were seperable from the dish, as I believe there'll be a vegetarian or two in attendance. Anything remotely asian would be cool, but it's by no means a requirement.

You could make a fine chicken/tofu satay and peanut sauce thingy on skewers. I don't have a recipe. but it wouldn't be too hard.

oh, i was gonna suggest a butternut squash and sauteed mushrooms lasagna that i've made a few times, but there's enough cheese in it to choke a wisconsin native.

How about a Caprice salad?
It's light, easy, vegetarian, and oh-so-tasty.
Of course, if the majority of the meal is Asian, it might be a wee small clash of flavors.

If you can find a good recipe for Sag Paneer (which I do not know how to make) THAT is a delicious vegetarian dish!

Peanut sauce, yes. I know that peanut sauce will somehow be involved, because it is damn-good. Consider also that my grill is, quite possibly, the worst grill in active duty anywhere in the free world. We rescued it from the curb when we bought the house 2 yrs ago, only to discover that if the gas is on full-blast, it overloads the pipes, backs up, and exits under the controls, where it lights itself and jets flames up the front of the grill. Now I can't exactly say why I haven't replaced it yet, except that I am both poor AND lazy, but it is usually unwise to cook anything important on it. Perhaps skewers will work in the oven?

Update: Party successful.

Here's what we made...

First, made a ton of sushi the night before, wrapped and stored it in the fridge, sliced it the day of, had it as appetizer.

For the main course we had skewers of veggies (eggplant, yellow squash, zuchini, yellow / green / orange peppers) that were marinated in an onion / peanut / other good stuff mixture overnight. Then had skewers of beef and chicken that were marinated overnight in some good stuff, mostly soy but with varying extra ingredients, and peanut-crusted chicken skewers too.

Then made a spicy asian soup from mixtures obtained at awesome / dingy / tiny asian market here in town. That place rules... about 4 flourescent bulbs total in the ceiling, everything from dried squid to monkey balls for sale, and close proximity to housing project ensures GREAT conversations overheard, this one being about the price of Lobster, culminating in the mgr being called up front to take care of the lady raising a ruckus. As she's walking out, she yells "I'll go to Red Lobster and eat Cheap!" Got 2 bags of stuff, and paid less than $26. Awesome.

All skewers were grilled over on enormous charcoal grill I scored at Depo for $99 (you may recall the old grill was gas, 15 yrs old or so, and shot flames up the front sometimes). Then when they were done, all were served at-will, with 2 or 3 dipping sauces available.

Twas good. Thanks for the suggestions all.

man, i'm bummed i missed out on this thread. i love food.

me too Phil. We miss all the fun sometimes.....