This past weekend I had guests over for the second time this quarter and I made (almost) an entire meal. I was lucky. I had my best friend over helping me. So that was good. The first challenge we both faced was whether we should even cook for 6 people. I know that my friends wanted me to make something, but also that they wouldn't be upset or anything if I didn't cook. We decided to cook because I personally love cooking for friends and family. The next obstacle were the ingredients. How much to buy, and what to buy. Planning the menu was a little tricky, we wanted to be as inexpensive as possible (yet still ended up spending a little over $50!!), but not cheap. I settled on pasta because I already had three boxes of it in my kitchen cabinet. I made the baked pasta dish (with a few variations because of ingredient reasons) that I've posted in this blog before for the main course. For the appetizer I put out a greek yogurt dip, absolutely refreshing and so creamy. The secret is using full fat greek yogurt and sour cream! I found this recipe online and it was my second time serving it. This was served with pita bread, which I cut and dressed with olive oil, then put into the oven right before my friends arrived so they could be slightly warm.
Dessert was something I decided to rely on the store for. Pillsbury reduced fat crescents (which I was scared about serving because of the reduced fat, but I didn't miss the extra fat!!) with a small piece of Hershey's chocolate rolled up inside of them. This was simply exquisite. The chocolate softened just slightly but didn't melt and ooze out and make a mess like I thought it would. This is one thing from a cardboard tube I wouldn't mind making again and again! My roommate Pallavi, gave me the idea of putting the chocolate in the croissants, and I am so grateful for it! I am excited to try this again, maybe with a few other fillings!
To prepare for the entire meal, I started prepping the night before, soaking the cucumber in salt for the dip for three hours, then mixing everything together in about 10 minutes. The peeling and mincing of the garlic took long, but maybe because my friend was a little slower than usual! The dish that cook the most time and effort was obviously the pasta, since all the vegetables had to be cut, seasoned, roasted. Then the pasta had to boil (only half way since the entire thing would be baked too) and we had to mix an alfredo and marinara sauce together. Once everything was mixed it was just a matter of putting it in the oven when we were about ready to eat. Oh, and how can I forget the soy chicken we put in it? We got this packet of buffalo wings with a spicy sauce packet. But we decided to cook and shred just the plain soy pieces and add them to the pasta to make it a little more meatier. I really liked it! Although I think the Italian style Smart Sausages I had in the fridge would have worked better, just because they are flavored and more meat-like.
All in all, I would say the experience was worth it, especially since I had a wonderful person helping me in the kitchen (and who also helpede pay for the groceries; I am ever thankful). I loved being able to ease my STARVING friends' hunger while enjoying their good company. Even though the entire process did take time and was on my mind for most of the weekend, I know that this is something I will do again in the future.
