My Company Dinner Menu

Menu

Appetizer:

Cheese and whole grain crackers with avocado slices
Grapes
 

Main Course:

Jodi’s Awesome Chicken served over Quinoa, Couscous or Rice
Mixed Spring Greens with Apples, Raisins, and Cashews
Sweet House Vinaigrette
Bread & butter
 

Dessert:

Double Chocolate Torte
Honey Vanilla Chamomile Tea or Coffee
 

Preparations the night before

Make Jodi’s Awesome Chicken

This is best when you make it the night before and let it marinate in the fridge overnight.

Put all the following ingredients into a 9X13 glass baking dish:
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
mix together with a fork in the bottom of the baking dish and then add
1c. prunes (cut up)
1/2 c. capers with juice
1 c. sliced olives (optional)
6 bay leaves
1 clove garlic minced
¼ - ½ C brown sugar depending on how sweet you like your chicken
1/2 c. white wine (optional)

Mix all the above ingredients together in glass baking dish. Place as many chicken breasts (cut in half) as will fit on top of marinade in the baking dish. I usually use 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half.

Then flip all the chicken pieces over to coat the other side, but make sure big chunks of prunes and bay leaves remain on bottom of pan. Cover and marinate at least 8 (up to 24hrs max).

Preheat oven to 350. Flip chicken again right before baking. Bake for 40-50 minutes uncovered (until chicken is done, 165 degrees).
Serve on top of buttered couscous or rice (or for a healthier option try quinoa). 
 

Make the Sweet House Vinaigrette

¼ C olive oil
¼ C apple cider vinegar
¼ C sugar (I put 1/8 C just to be healthier)
½ tsp celery salt
½ tsp garlic powder
mix all ingredients in a cruet or mason jar and shake well!
 

Preparations the morning of

Make the Double Chocolate Torte

1 pkg fudge brownie mix (13 x 9 inch pan size) Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix is best
1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips melted
¼ C or ½ a stick butter softened
2 cups whipped cream
1 tsp chocolate sprinkles

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for fudge like brownies. Spread batter in a greased and floured 9 inched round baking pan (cake pan). Bake at 350 for 38-42 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate, cool completely.

In a bowl, microwave and stir the chocolate and butter until smooth. Spread over brownie layer immediately, refrigerate for 30 minutes. Just before serving, top with whipped topping.

Decorate with sprinkles. Fun options in the summer: raspberries in the whipped cream or drizzle with raspberry sauce or caramel Yield: 9-12 servings. (It is very rich so cut small wedges)

 

Preparations before company arrives

Pick what time you want to serve your appetizer and what time you want to serve your dinner

 

40 minutes before dinner

Start cooking quinoa (cook just like rice; 1:2 quinoa:water ratio; I make mine in a rice cooker and for 6 people I use 2 C quinoa and 4 C of water and a tablespoon of olive oil to the water.)

Put the chicken in the oven (no cover)

 

10-20 minutes before dinner

Prepare the salad and a pitcher of ice water with a few lemon or orange circles and a piece of mint floating in it.

 

Salad

Dice the apple into small pieces (peel only if desired)
In a large bowl place the following layers (do not toss)
Salad (mixed spring greens or baby spinach)
Diced Apples
Cashews
Raisins (golden raisins are a nice touch)
Serve with vinaigrette (shake well first)
 

5-10 minutes before your guests arrive, prepare your appetizer plate

 

Serve tea/coffee and dessert after dinner